God’s RIT
Whether you’re going through Level 1 Basic Training or through Firefighter 1 and 2, you are always taught basic survival on the incident scene and how to look after your teammates. One of the most important concepts we teach is that of the Rapid Intervention Team, or RIT. They break out their tools and their RIT packs and diligently stand by, waiting to respond immediately, professionally, and passionately to any request for help by a firefighter who is lost disoriented, injured or low on air. And at the end of their duty, whether it’s having made a complicated or daring save or just standing by waiting to be called, the RIT members’ only expectation for “payback” is a pat on the back and a “thank you.”
This concept of RIT, however, extends well beyond the fire ground and well beyond the department in which we serve. Particularly in this cadre that we’re all a part of, taking care of one another is paramount if we’re going to get through this highspeed thrill ride called life. We are each other’s RIT and it’s a full-time responsibility.
Over the recent months, we chaplains have been engaged with so many of you who are intimately involved in so many caring endeavors. We’ve watched how you support ailing comrades, embraced families who have loved ones deployed, embraced those who have lost family members and playfully congratulated shift mates who have been promoted or recognized for their achievements. It is a true testament to loving one another. That is why in this line of work, joy and grief, happiness and sorrow, all go hand in hand, and all are to be shared. This is a collective, where the combined power of all can come to bear and bring light to any darkness that befalls us.
Illness and injury befall all of us in some way. What we must focus on is not the trial that we face but, rather, the path and how we walk it. There will be victories and setbacks along this path. However, we are never alone as we travel it. No matter what challenges we face, God’s RIT is standing by to reach out and help us.
As we continue through our struggles and journeys on life’s road, let us all remember the words of Shakespeare in his work, Henry V:
“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he today that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother;”
Through these words, Shakespeare brought to our hearts the expectation that all men and women who show bravery enough to put on the uniform, have each other’s backs and fight together as comrades in service, are forever bound together as family. To love and care for your brothers and sisters as you have done so well and so nobly is absolutely what we are called to do.
We pray that God grants you and your family’s peace, health, and joy.
The Fairfax Fire Chaplains
fairfaxfirechaplains.org