I can't speak for all Buffs, but as to myself, I've been a buff since a young kid. I'm now 61. I retired as a Captain after some 30 years on a small dept in an older Connecticut city. I did have a "couple of jobs" in my day. I credit a lot to what I learned from buffing the FDNY for forty plus years. As far as I'm concerned, the members of FDNY could always "walk on water". I still feel the same today.queenstrucking said:And to all you BUFFs who are so proud of what you know about FD tactics and just love to tell EVERYONE...shame on you. It was already stated that anyone can purchase the Operational Reference guide. So let them!!!!! Stop letting that information go for free.
I have many friends that are not only Buffs, but they are Career Firefighters in many of the larger U.S. Cities. Many of which have all been promoted to higher ranks. My own brother also was a buff, who retired as a Battalion Chief in Bridgeport, Ct.
There are many Buffs out there that are probadly the "BEST Public Relations" people any fire dept can have. Many run Canteen services and bring hot coffee and sandwiches on those very cold nights. They take very dramatic pictures and show what the job of a firefighter is really like. And they come from all walks of life.
Yes in todays world we need to be suspicious of our next door neighbors. That said, if it was ever needed, I could supply a list of HUNDREDs of names, that are all OUTSTANDING CITIZENS, and probadly the Best Friends any Fire Dept can have.