Editor’s Note: Chief Adam K. Thiel looks at the impact line of duty deaths has on Japanese families, and asks you to help.
Did you know this many Japanese firefighters were killed a little more than a year ago during the Great East Japan Earthquake
The sheer size and scope of that tragedy, combined with the overall courage and resilience of the Japanese people as a whole, overshadowed the heroism of these firefighters who — like their counterparts everywhere around the world — did their duty in spite of the extreme circumstances, and paid the ultimate price.
This story is a sad and unfortunate reminder that firefighters’ families, across the globe, often bear the brunt of their loved ones’ sacrifices in the line of duty.
It’s probably all too easy to dismiss this situation as something we’ll never face here in the United States; hopefully we know better.
A couple years ago, I had the opportunity to visit the Tokyo Fire Department with several other U.S. chief officers. I can tell you without hesitation that we came away uniformly impressed by the technical sophistication and professionalism of Japanese firefighters. Believe me, if they were hard hit by this disaster, I cannot imagine how we would handle a similar catastrophic event.
Perhaps we, as FR1 readers, can step-up now to assist the families of our fallen brothers and sisters in Japan.
Check back later this week as we identify some ways to help.
Stay safe!
