If you are old enough, September 11, 2001 is seared into your memory. There were sites and sounds projected to millions across America that day and in the days and weeks to come. Everyone in America that was alive at the time was affected in some way. I was just beginning my career in the emergency services and had not yet become the career firefighter I wanted to be. Still, the images and stories of the 343 firefighters that perished on that day only intensified my desire to serve in that profession. I considered these men and women (along with the other responders) to be heroes…true heroes…and I wanted to honor them by devoting my life to service.

Immediately following this tragic day, the country was renewed in its patriotism. Furthermore, firefighters across the nation were recognized for their willingness to face tragedy, and great personal harm, in order that another’s life may be saved. This era is something I will never forget. I felt so blessed and privileged to be entering a profession that was so honored and respected. But as with all things, time has a way of purging our collective memories of what it looks like to be a true hero, and emergency responders were slowly relegated back to an ever-present resource to be taken for granted.

Fast forward to the spring of 2020. As COVID-19 began to wreak havoc in the United States, “frontline” and “essential” workers were being praised as heroes. While the entire country began shutting down, forcing most people to take extended time off or to work from home, the “frontliners” were still serving, performing their already difficult and dangerous duties amidst a new and scary threat. And similar to the era following 9/11, “thank you” signs went up in yards, social media posts sang praises, and businesses that were able to remain open offered discounts to the people who willingly and faithfully went to their posts…placing their own fear and anxiety aside in service to others. Again, I was proud to serve (though like everyone, I was freaked out by the unknown).

But the old adage that “history repeats itself” is ringing true once again. It seems that the service of many “frontliners” (especially several firefighter/paramedics I know) is being forgotten. The praises, promises, and even legislation of just a few months ago is quickly becoming nothing more than a memory. Let me give you a couple examples…

Whether you realize it or not, earlier on in the pandemic, there was legislation adopted that recognized if a first responder or healthcare worker (and some others) contracted COVID, it was automatically assumed to be a duty-related cause. This was supposed to ensure that employers would take care of their employees should an exposure cause issues related to their work. Well, I personally know two firefighter/paramedics who contracted COVID during this time. This was well before vaccines were available. Furthermore, the likelihood of their exposure on the job is extremely high, despite the fact that the legislation at the time said that the place of exposure didn’t matter. (After all, we simply must protect and praise our heroes…the frontline workers, right?!) Unfortunately, these two heroes had horrible side effects from COVID. They were intubated and it was unknown if they would even survive. They’ve had lasting cardiac, neurological, and respiratory issues since. Their physicians have determined that they are no longer fit to serve as firefighters. COVID ravaged their bodies such that they are no longer able to physically do the job they worked so hard to obtain. Thank God that they are covered by both legislation and the collective praise and adoration of the masses!

WRONG! Both of these heroes are currently in a battle with their employer and the employer’s insurance company. Once again they are showing their bravery and tenacity. They are placing their fear, frustration, and emotions aside to fight for the benefits they deserve…benefits that are much less than what they would earn if they were able to return to the job. Both of them are devastated that they are no longer fit for duty and desire nothing more than to serve! Yet they continue to fight for something that will help sustain them until they can plan for a whole new life. It makes me wonder, are “heroes” a matter of convenience? It’s awful convenient to praise them in public when it’s a popular and easy thing to do. It’s decidedly inconvenient to take care of them when there is a cost!

Whether you realize it or not, the federal government passed legislation a while back that allowed for the distribution of billions of dollars to municipalities to help them recover from the effects of lockdowns and other COVID devastations. This legislation allowed for a broad range of uses; such as small business grants, infrastructure upgrades, etc. This legislation even allowed “premium pay” for “essential workers” that were required to do their jobs in the face of the ever-changing COVID hazards. There are a few local government entities I know that have used this money to both thank their frontline employees as well as offset the costs associated with their continued service (more on those costs in a moment). However, there are other local governments that have conveniently forgotten their frontliners altogether. Instead of using a few of these dollars to help their dedicated public servants, they stepped over the “We love our frontline workers!” signs placed in front of their offices and planned to use millions of these dollars to offset monies in the capital budgets they already planned for. It’s awful convenient and easy to purchase a few signs to create an image that you value your employees. It is decidedly inconvenient to “put your money where your sign is” when you know you can take advantage of the servant spirit of your frontline workers!

Lest you think that I am solely advocating for a “free gift” to frontline workers who “signed up” for this, please know that there are costs, both financial and otherwise, associated with placing oneself in harms way. Here are just a few…

1. Increased cost of daycare from pulling extra shifts. (Extra shifts created by illness, increased duties such as working at vaccine clinics, etc.)
2. Increased stress. (Caused by the constantly changing COVID threat, policy and protocol changes, increased workload and call volume, working at minimum staffing levels, added cleaning and safety measures, increased paperwork and documentation, etc.)
3. Mental health costs. (Believe it or not, even dedicated servants require therapy and other forms of decompression and restoration given these circumstances! Imagine watching the citizens you serve, and co-workers you work alongside get sick, sometimes severely, and wonder when you are next!)
4. Relationship costs. (It is exponentially more difficult to cultivate relationships with family, friends, and co-workers amidst the stress and extra working hours.)

This! All of this is what makes me wonder if my sisters and brothers, and I, are nothing more than convenient heroes. Let me be clear in saying that we don’t need to be recognized for our service…regardless, we will serve! My wondering is in the disconnect between the lip service and the honor. When it is convenient for a municipal manager, servants in my chosen profession are called heroes. But when our backs are broken, and our spirit is all but busted, many of these same municipal managers find it inconvenient to truly honor us for our service!

My brothers, sisters, and I choose to serve; and we will continue to serve! Our dedication and character propels us to do so. I just wish this same character propelled the managers charged with serving us.

Hey, friends! Can I ask a favor of you? Will you consider contacting your municipality and inquire about their use of ARPA funds? As I stated above, some are using the funds very well. Others, not so much! Please make sure that your leaders are using these funds in the way that you wish, in accordance with what the funds were intended for.

As always, thanks for reading. Please comment if you have any thoughts on this post.

Be well, and stay healthy…

P.S. If you have a story to tell and would like to join Jim Ladiski Writes as a guest blogger, please contact me!