Earlier today I had the pleasure of joining lots of other folks who participating in the dedication of a new fire station for the North Boston Volunteer Fire Company in the Town of Boston, NY.
As I was sitting here remembering the ground breaking ceremony they held last fall, I was reminded of how proud I am to be associated with their fire company.
Many times when we discuss incident management, training and collaboration in emergency services — we refer to the Three Cs of: Coordination, Communications and Cooperation. For a small rural fire department, the North Boston Volunteer Fire Company (the NBFC) is far ahead of the curve when it comes to the Three Cs.
Those three Cs have become the hallmark for their operations for 105 years. Internally with their members and externally with their citizens, North Boston has always taken the lead in effectively communicating with their constituents. They’ve succeeded in coordinating their efforts with those they serve with and have made a career out of cooperating with others towards a common goal.
THE FOURTH C: COMMUNITY
North Boston’s greatest success is built on the Fourth ‘C’ that some of us too often forget: Community.
North Boston has not only succeeded, but excelled at putting their community at the forefront of everything they do. That has never been more evident than it was at their dedication ceremony today where some 300 people from their community and the emergency services community came out to cheer them on in their new fire station.
They have mastered the art of involving and integrating their community in everything they do. The community they serve is the community they get support from. By clinging to all the right traditions of the fire service, they have triumphed at maintaining their status as the social epicenter of the North Boston community.
The community is there for them and with them at their pork dinners, fund drives, and $50,000 galas.
SOME MORE Cs:
There are some other C-words that come to mind when I think of the NBFC – the “Pride of the Valley.” I didn’t have to stray far to be reminded of what caring people they are when I stumbled across an auto accident as I left their fire station this afternoon.
Two cars collided on Boston State Road right in front of me and just minutes from their new fire hall. They were quick to respond and took careful command of the situation, caring for the injured and bringing compassion to everyone involved.
Their beautiful new fire station now stands as not only a cornerstone of their community – but also as a centerpiece. Tastefully designed and constructed, the new fire facility fits perfectly into the neighborhood and proudly represents the men and women of the fire company who stand ready to serve their community 24/7 — 365 days a year.
A few more Cs come to mind: Congratulations, Celebrate and Challenge. Congratulations to North Boston Firefighters and the North Boston community on coming together to construct a new fire station that will serve your community for the next 105 years.
I challenge you to continue celebrating your service to each other. Celebrate your accomplishments together. Celebrate all that is right about your community. Celebrate the North Boston Volunteer Fire Company’s new fire station and all that it represents.
I always feel welcome when I’m with the North Boston Volunteer Fire Company and I thank them for the friendship they have extended to me.
Now, that’s cause to celebrate!
Check out all of the photos I took today at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tigerschmittendorf/
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