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St. Florian, Heaven's patron of firefighters,
who once was dedicated to the services
of your fellowmen as an official in the
Army of Rome, look with kindly and
professional eye upon your earthly force,
desirous of the preserving of our fellowmen
from the dangers to life and property.
Give us cool heads, stout hearts, strong muscles
an instinct for prudent investigation and
wise judgment.
Make us the terror of arsonists, the friends of
law-abiding citizens, kind to the frightened,
polite to the bores, strict with lawbreakers,
and obstinate to temptations.
In troubles give us strength to be efficient,
in times of great danger, give us the ability
to be calm and enable us to impart assurance
to those who verge on panic.
You know, beloved St. Florian, from the
sacrifice of your own life for the sake of
your faith, that the fireman's lot on earth
is not always a pleasant one, but your
sense of duty that so pleased God, your
courageous strength that so over-whelmed
the devil and your saintly self-control,
give us inspiration.
Make us as fearless in practicing the laws
of God as we are brave in protecting the
lives and property of our fellowmen, and
when we answer our final alarm, enroll
us in your Heavenly force, where we will be
as proud to protect the throne of God as
we have been to protect the city.
Amen
Author unknown
When I am called to duty, God
Wherever Flames may rage give the strength
to save some life
Whatever be its age
Help me embrace a little child
Before it is too late or save an older person
from the horror of that fate
Enable me to be alert and hear the weakest shout and
quickly and efficiently to put the fire out
I want to fill my calling and to give the best in me
To guard my every neighbor and protect their property
And if according to your will I have to lose my life
Please bless with your protecting hand
My children and my wife.
Author unknown
Gone but not forgotten
brother when you weep for me
remember that it was meant to be
lay me down and when you leave
remember i'll be at your sleeve
in every dark and choking hall
i'll be there as you slowly crawl
on every roof in driving snow
i'll hold your coat and you will know
in cellars hot with searing heat
at windows where a gate you meet
in closets where young children hide
you know i'll be there at your side
the house from which i now respond
is overstaffed with heroes gone
men who answered one last bell
did the job and did it well
as firemen we understand
that death's a card dealt in our hand
a card we hope we never play
but one we hold there anyway
that card is something we ignore
as we crawl across a weakened floor
for we know that we're the only prayer
for anyone that might be there
so remember as you wipe your tears
the joy i knew throughout the years
as i did the job i loved to do
i pray that thought will see you through
Author unknown
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