A Message From Chief Michael Della Rocco

In 1900, the Schenectady Fire Department, in many ways similar to our department today, was designated as the agency responsible for the safety of the people and property of the City of Schenectady.   The Fire Department, with paid personnel, was part of a new era for Schenectady, with booming industries such as the General Electric Company and the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) and with a growing population, many of whom were employed by GE and ALCO.  Schenectady is credited with having the first gasoline powered pumper, designed by Fire Chief Yates.

Many of the houses that were built in the first part of the twentieth century are still with us today, most with balloon-frame construction and building materials typical at the time.

Our great Association (SPFA) was organized on March 17, 1917 and had already had a history of connections with organized labor groups.  The first president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, incorporated on February 28, 1918, was from Schenectady.  Our original charter still hangs in the Association building on Fourth Avenue.  Other affiliations included the New York State Fire Fighters Association, the New York State Federation of Labor, and the Schenectady Federation of Labor.  Schenectady at that time was a center of industry with world wide significance.  GE remains an international company with a huge diversity of interests and influence.  There are actually still ALCO locomotives in use today.   With Schenectady as the home of these important businesses, a very robust and leading labor force developed, as well.  There was a great deal of pride among workers in being regarded as professionals.  This was also true of the members of the Schenectady Fire Department.

The following quotes are from the history book of the Schenectady Fire Department published in 1946:

“We, as employees, have a duty: – to serve the public in the saving of life and property.  Fire Fighting is a profession.  A profession is distinguished from other occupations by the fact that, it requires special training and discipline for the chosen work.

The members of the Schenectady Permanent Firemen’s Association have endeavored to distinguish themselves in a manner that will bring credit to the Fire Fighting Profession. …Fire Fighting is a governmental function.  As employees selected to carry on this function, firemen have a responsibility that is direct and of interest only to the public whom they serve.  The public provides the equipment used in fighting fires and the money required to pay the salaries of the Fire Department.  The principal functions of Fire Fighters themselves are: – saving lives, fighting fires and fire prevention.  Every fire department is maintained for the purpose of performing these functions.  Every Fire Fighter has a public responsibility.”

 

Truly, the concerns and commitment expressed by that writer in 1946 echo properly today.   The concepts of a firefighter’s responsibility, duty, and professionalism have not changed.  Pride in one’s work is based on competence, training, and discipline, both personally and professionally.  Self respect and respect for the job are essential.  To fail to uphold the honor and principles of our brotherhood and our profession is an insult and an offense to every true professional firefighter.

The reputation of the members of this Department and our Association is based on high moral and ethical values established by our predecessors since the early 1900’s.  Over the years, efforts by our membership to establish Sunnyview, to raise funds for MDA, and to otherwise serve our community have helped create an image of Schenectady firefighters as upstanding, caring, charitable men and women of good character.  Firefighters are heroes to Schenectady’s children and this gives us a unique opportunity to teach valuable and life-saving lessons that they may receive nowhere else.

Unfortunately, there may be those for whom our history and our reputation are not important, those who lack self respect, who do not respect but dishonor the job, and who certainly would not be regarded as fire professionals in the eyes of that writer long ago.

We all know who these individuals are, but we should not let their failures keep the rest of our membership from holding their heads up and taking pride in what we do. Most of the members of the Schenectady Fire Department will be able to continue to distinguish themselves through their actions, character, and principles.   Honor, integrity, and duty should continue to be the basis for the reputation so many have worked hard to earn and maintain for over 100 years.  That work is never over.  We must be dedicated to and demonstrate our ideals and values every day.  Every member must make it his or her own responsibility to raise the bar, to be a credit to the company, to the platoon, and to the department.

Schenectady Firefighters should set personal goals to continue to be seen as role models for the children of this City, to uphold the trust we have been given by the public and our brotherhood, and to give proper tribute to the professionalism of those who have preceded us by ensuring that our good reputation is well-deserved and indisputable.

I believe that most of our members do this day in and day out as demonstrated both on-duty by their competence, bravery, and skill, and off-duty by their behavior and demeanor which prove that they know that they are held to a higher standard, and that they themselves have set the bar.  This is the proof of real professionalism.

Chief Michael Della Rocco

Fire Chief Schenectady Fire Department

CHAPLAIN’S MESSAGE

 

My dear Fire Fighters,

Most of our lives we have heard of New Year’s Resolutions, particularly at this time of the year with the first of January only a few weeks behind us. So I would like to focus on this topic briefly with you, reflecting on the pluses and minuses of that which the popular secular holiday song Auld Lang Syne tries to promote.

Let me start with the minuses first. Whenever we try to change our lives for the better, any notion that even borders on the dream that we will become perfect persons is precisely that – a dream. I am certain that we are mature enough to own up to the fact that we are human, and human always and everyone implies the sober truth that we are flawed beings. Every world religion acknowledges this. The renowned Dr. Albert Ellis (1913-2007), once described by the once popular magazine Psychology Today as “the greatest living psychologist” wrote that human nature had been tampered with. This is an interesting comment coming from an avowed atheist!

But here again, most of us know this. What many of us might not know is what our human flaws and aberrant behaviors lead us to.

Some may think they lead us to happiness because the fun and entertainment they seem to bring us.

However, nothing could be farther from the truth.

Our faults and failing can delude us into thinking they make us happy. This too is a dream. Thirty-two plus years in the Priesthood has taught me the fact that our human foibles do not and can not deliver us happiness because they all too often focus on ourselves and not where true inner peace and happiness are found, which are always and everywhere found by seeking the happiness not of ourselves but of others…

Recently I heard a story of Pope Benedict XVI being interviewed on an Italian TV documentary clip by a renowned Italian film producer who was a former devout Roman Catholic turned agnostic – someone who is not sure whether God exists or not. The story goes that, by the time the interview was done, the Pontiff’s remarks and responses – ironically, though no surprise to me – convinced him to give up his chosen agnostic life beliefs and corresponding life style and embrace Catholicism once again.

This allegedly true story underscores the immense power not only of the truth but also of the swaying and convincing power of those who bear the truth to others.

We all need to be challenged, and your humble Chaplain is no exception. The challenge I place before you this day, my dear Fire Fighters, is this:
Are you willing to take an honest look at yourself in the mirror and ask: What do I need to do to change my life to help me become a better person?

 

While I have no magic wand, I not only assure you but guarantee you that if you do this, it will not fail…

The Supreme Being, who is worshipped by most people of the Planet Earth, albeit in various ways, will surely reveal to you what steps you must take to be a better person. He will guide you to the place where you can find a happier, more meaning-filled, and humanly and spiritually richer life, though it may take some time.

If you have the courage and willingness to do this process, once again I guarantee you that this will happen to you, and if as your Chaplain I can ever help you in any way on such a journey, it would be a joy and privilege for me.

May you and yours have a blessed and joyous New Year.

Fr. Carlino

Father Carlino is the Chaplain of the Schenectady Fire Department and the Pastor of St. John the Evangelist

Church and St. Anthony’s Church, both in Schenectady NY.