Visit us at WWW.FFCA.ORG 19 floor. He acknowledged my request and accompanied me as I quickly made my way down and out of the structure. Once outside, my breathing began to slow down and return to normal. The anxiety that I had experienced earlier was diminishing and the feeling of being one of America’s finest was far from a reality. In my mind and heart, I was much less than what I thought I was before entering the tower, and began to question whether or not I was meant to be a firefighter. As we took off our masks, I could not look into the face of my instructor, Lieutenant Lou Delciello, for fear that I would see how disappointed he was in me, and that I was not the firefighter he thought I was. I thought to myself why did I ever come here? My career is over! Then suddenly he asked me to look straight into his eyes and he began to share with me a number of challenging moments in his own life and how he overcame his fears. “Life is filled with choices,” he said. “You can either face them or run from them but remember this, if you choose to run, you will be running the rest of your life.” He asked me to don my equipment once again and when the door closed this time, he kept encouraging me to focus on what was really important. Before I knew it, we were kneeling together on the sixth-floor landing and my life as a firefighter and a human being was never the same again. There are men and women throughout our lives who have proven to be America’s finest. They are the ones who have and will continue to stand quietly off stage and out of the limelight of our life, encouraging us to “become all that we were meant to be.” My dear friend, Lieutenant Lou Delciello was one of them. Today, I cannot begin to count the number of individuals that I have had the opportunity and privilege to crawl through the tower and maze with, who were once afraid and ready to throw in the towel. I am grateful that the vast majority of them have proven to be some of the bravest men and women I have ever known with promising careers. I am sure there is someone in your own life who is thinking much less of themselves than they should. It may be a husband or wife, son or daughter, family member or friend, brother or sister, but regardless who they are, you may be their last hope for a favorable future, but only if you pause and encourage them to move forward and never quit. Life is not easy and the unknown can be terrifying but remember, if you chose to run from the unknown, you will be running for the rest of your life. You have within your hand the power to do something great in the lives of others. Rise up and become America’s finest. Our goal is to make this magazine the best publication in the fire service! In order to do that, we need your input - please help us! Send your articles and pics to [email protected] Thank You! M Ma ar rv vi in n H Ha ar rtt R Re ettiir re ed d C Ch hi ie ef f O Of ff fiic ce err Reduce Cancer Risk Firefighter health is a top priority. MagneGrip Exhaust Removal Systems eliminate cancer causing diesel exhaust particles and toxic gases in the firehouse using the #1 rated source-capture and ceiling-mounted air purification systems. t 100% effective – guaranteed! t Fully automatic, lowest maintenance t Exceeds NFPA and AFG guidelines t 1,000° F rated hose is now standard FREE Grant Assistance Available 800-875-5440 www.magnegrip.com ISO 9001-2008 CERTIFIED Proud Sponsor of MADE IN USA Exhaust Removal + Air Purification, #1 in Firefighter Protection. July 2017 FFS.QXD 6/27/17 7:56 PM Page 19