Once a Firefighter always a Firefighter
I recently received a request for my novel, "Fire Horses," from a member of a Scottish Fire Brigade. It was to be a gift for a member of their department who would be retiring soon. It got me thinking about how much members of the Fire Service are the same. I received information about the man who was retiring and will share it with you. Here is the last e-mail I got from Joe Tinney, the man who requested the book.
Hi Bob,
If you haven't already mailed it, if you could dedicate the book to a guy called Joe Harkins, that would be great. He's due to retire from firefighting at the end of November, but will stay with the service in his role as Chairman of the Retired Employees Association. Just to fill you in, here are some details about him:
Joe Harkins joined Strathclyde Fire Brigade in November 1979 after being a time served carpenter in the shipyards in his native Greenock.
As well as leading by example through his work with the service, he has performed outstanding charitable work, which includes raising over 396,000 pounds for the Fire Fighters Charity, formerly known as the Fire Service National Benevolent Fund.
In his role as Home Visitor, Mr. Harkins has helped people who have needed financial assistance, therapy, and recuperation; he has also visited every Scottish fire service and rescue service and most Scottish fire stations to promote and raise awareness of the charity.
Mr. Harkins has also helped set up a charity for retired members of staff- the SFR Retired Employees Association. The charity supports former fire service employees who feel socially isolated after 30 years of service. Now well established, the network gives its 700 members regular contact with old friends and colleagues.
Crew Commander Joe Harkins was awarded the Queen’s Fire Service Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honors list this year.
Best Regards,
Joe Tinney
I want to thank Joe Tinney for letting us know what a great man Joe Harkins is. We wish Mr. Harkins well in his upcoming retirement. My inscription in his book said… Once a Firefighter, always a Firefighter.
Stay safe my brothers and sisters.
"Fire Talk" Archives
- Benny the Hook
- Got To Love Texas
- The Fog of Retirement
- Two Tough Kids
- On Leaving the Department
- Cop Talk 3, Ceremony
- Putting it on the Line
- A Bond of Love
- God Will Protect Us
- Stealing Fires
- Poo Poo Pants
- Decoy Carver
- Firefighter's Road Trip
- Day Twenty-seven. Road Trip
- Down Mexico Way
- Zoo in the 7th
- A Gentle Landing
- Always a Firefighter
- Christmas at the Firehouse
- Harem Sacrum
- The Crow Who Spoke Polish
- Once a Firefighter always a Firefighter
- A Brotherhood
- Retiring a Hall of Fame Firefighter
- Anatomy of Forcible Entry
- 911
- Old Horses
- The Milk Wagon
- The Howling
- Tales of the Seventh Battalion 26, Destructo
- Memories of the 7th Battalion
- Running Mates
- Engine 32
- Last Alarm
- Tiger Stadium Fire
- To Moosenee and Back
- Memorial Day 2009
- Anatomy of a Fire at a Dangerous Building
- Tales of the Seventh Battalion 25, A Typical 7th Battalion Fire
- Boris the Talking Dog
- Wear and Tear
- Tales of the Seventh Battalion 24, Legends
- Axemen
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 23, Ankie
- Anatomy of a Dwelling Fire
- A Firefighter's Spring
- Input
- My Running Mate
- The Singing Fireman
- The Right Stuff
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 22, A Desperate Rescue
- 300 Spartans
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 21, Men Who Fight Bears
- At the End of His Rope
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 20, Wolf Warriors
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 19, Motorcycle Maniac
- Career Ending Injuries
- Detroit Loses One of Its Finest
- On Duty Injuries
- Unpractical Jokes
- Dedication in the Fire Service
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 18, Spare Parts
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 17, Passage to Hell
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 16, Gallant Warrior
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 15, Big Ones
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 14, Chicago Lil
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 13, Bridge Fires
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 12, Hot Stuff
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 11, Taco Wars
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 10, Day in Hell
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 9, Engine House Cat
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 8, Finding a Pen
- The Polish Squad
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 7, Wayne Soap
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 6, Junk Yard Goat
- The 1967 Riot in Detroit 3
- Department Legends
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 5, The Fonz
- The 1967 Riot (an entry from Tom Hart)
- The 1967 Detroit Riot
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 4, Howard
- The Buhl Building Fire
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 3, Engine 27
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 2, Roof Rescue
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 1, Explosion
- The worst 7th Battalion Fire
- Fire Incidents
- Beeler's Fog Monster
- Thoughts of a Retired Firefighter
- Dogs of the Realm
- Going to the Dogs
- Firefighter/Lawyer ?
- Moe Tales
- The Legend of Moe
- A POEM: When Brave Men Cry