It used to be that the men had their organization, and the ladies had theirs. The men created the Florida State Firemen’s Association for the purpose of involvement in the fire service, for training and education, as well as political participation. The women formed the Florida State Firemen’s Auxiliary for the purpose of aiding and assisting their men, as well as creating a connection with the other ladies across the state who were fire service wives, girl friends and, yes, widows of firefighters. It all worked very well. And then times changed.

In the old days, it was just a matter of "put the wet stuff on the red stuff" and then we all go home. Through progress and evolution, the fire service now has to deal with hazardous materials, high angle rescue, fire prevention, confined space rescue, public education, and an awful lot more. Now, not only do fire service personnel have an incredible amount of work to do, but the term "fireman" has evolved to "firefighter," the term becoming generic instead of masculine. Firefighters are now both male and female. The work is done by both genders.

So, to, is the work of the Auxiliary. Because there are both male and female firefighters, there are now both male and female spouses. The "ladies auxiliary" has now become "The Auxiliary," reflecting those who come together to aid and assist their firefighters. Those members perform support duties at emergency scenes, such as helping at rehab areas, running a canteen with drinks and food, bringing changes of clothes, and notifying friends and relatives. The Auxiliary also gets involved with the stations, with departmental competitions, fund-raising, public education . . . well, it just gets involved in almost every aspect of the fire service. And, in most fire departments, it is expected and welcomed. It becomes a "family affair."

I find that most of the urban, unionized departments in this state no longer feel the need for this type of assistance or involvement. They have their job to do and then they go home. If they need more help, they hire more people and buy more equipment. They have lost so much of what was the "family affair" attitude of the fire service. I see nothing worse than the firefighter doing "The Job" and the spouse or significant other not sharing . . . or caring.

I believe that for the fire service to support you, you have to support the fire service. One of the best ways is to use an auxiliary of people. Does your department have an auxiliary? They seem to be becoming fewer each day. We can help you set up an auxiliary, help you keep it running, suggest ways to improve it. By establishing and using an auxiliary, you help the firefighters do their jobs, and do them better.

I challenge each firefighter out there to ask his or her "other" for their willingness to join a firefighters’ support group (auxiliary). With enough enthusiasm, the response will be affirmative. With enough responses, the auxiliary will be membered. With enough members, the fire service in Florida will return to the "family affair" which it once was, and not "The Job" that it seems to have become.