The Professional Volunteer Fire Department

摘要

In my discussions with the public, I am asked many times whether I am a professional or a volunteer firefighter. I take exception to that. I politely explain to them that there are paid firefighters and there are volunteer firefighters, but all firefighters-including volunteers-can strive to be professional. In the dictionary, there are various definitions for the word "professional," including "characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession" and "exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace." Shouldn't these definitions apply to volunteers as well as paid firefighters? For years, I have been preaching that a volunteer fire department certainly can be professional.