Photo was taken July 2007 at a structure fire in East Windsor, NJ by East Windsor Fire Company #2 Photographer Cindy Rashkin. I'm the one in the back, red helmet, Captain.
Me and the LT on the nozzle	www.eastwindsorfire.com	Station 46

The photo of me doesn't give me the right to try and answer the question though.  Being there in the middle of the night fighting the flames doesn't either.  Fighting fire with firemen that are dedicated, loyal and trained does.  If one fireman, just one fire fighter makes a difference during the most hazardous of firefighting times, imagine what a team of firefighters can do!  Firefighter gifts to those they serve, and those they serve with is their presence.  Being there - trained, ready, willing and able to help.  It is a personalized firefighter experience every day.  Even though every alarm you answer is different, at the core they are the same.  You are giving some part of yourself to your fellow firefighters and to people, often strangers, who need you.  You are fulfilling the oath you took to protect and serve.  Most of our calls are "false alarms" "smells and bells", not the big one with powerful flames and fire, smoke and danger.  Yet, we spend hundreds of manpower hours training for the big ones.  Search and rescue, pump operations, water supply, building construction, more search and rescue.....so that when it is the big one we can carry our share, support our firefighter team, serve our fire chief and community the way they deserve.  So the truth is.....I really can't answer the question with words, only with actions.  It is a spirit of helping, of teamwork, pride and courage.  Of training together, working together, relying on eachother.  We wear it on our firefighter t-shirts and sweat shirts.  Display our pride on our hats, jackets and vehicles.  We wear our fire station ID everywhere and anywhere because when you are really a firefighter, it's not just what you do, but what you are.

No matter where you travel, or how far you go, you are bound to see a navy T-shirt with a white maltese bearing the pride of belonging to a fire department.  Those who wear it should only be true firefighters, those that offer their fellow firefighters teamwork, dedication, loyalty and are there to back them up no matter how tough it gets.  A word to the men I serve with on East Windsor Fire #2, you are the pride of the navy shirt and white maltese.  I am proud to serve with you, to train with you, to be your Captain.

While I am waiting for the alarm to sound, I am designing firefighter t-shirts and gifts, personalized for fire fighters and their family members.  The truth is we love showing off our firefighter pride and we have worked hard for the right to have flames and fire on our t-shirts, clocks and mugs!  Our firefighter families have also, each time we are called on, they serve also.  So I have designed personalized firefighter designs for them also!

Browse my website at:  www.BonfireDesigns.com