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Last Updated: Nov 14, 2008 - 12:49:26 PM |
Yes, in 27 months I plan to retire from a profession that I have been blessed to be a part of for over thirty years, counting volunteer time. I have been stationed at #1, #2, #8, #9, #14, #15, and served as the Community Programs Coordinator. My career has allowed me to see many things, as well as do many things. Some have asked me if I will be able to leave this behind, and my response is yes. I tell people regularly that this is a young person’s profession, though there are still many of us in the upper 40s and above who are riding engines and trucks, and loving it.
Many would say that I could turn on the cruise control and coast to the end of my time, but that is not me. I have known folks who, at the end of their career, acted as if they were retired, just still coming to work every third day. On the other hand, I have known others that have worked right up to their last day. I pray that I remain healthy through the remainder of my career.
As I look at my remaining time on this job, I believe that I have a responsibility to those who will carry on after I leave. I stated earlier that I have seen and done many things. I need to ensure that I share these experiences with others. I have always tried to be a mentor to others, but this is my final opportunity, on this job, to mentor others. In ministry, we are taught to reproduce ourselves in others. The gist is that those who have done it teach this job, and then those who are being taught demonstrate what they have learned. In some cases, others can learn as much from the negatives as they can the positives. Ultimately, I need to give to others what I know, the good, the bad, and the ugly. One of the greatest challenges that will be faced in the future will be a large number of experienced personnel retiring, and a relatively young work force. The good thing is that we have been there before, and had to work through it then. Senior firefighters have always been an important asset to a shift, and those with many years of experience need to share what they know, even if the younger folks already think that they know everything. Though I am talking from the perspective of the fire service, this could apply in any organization.
Many have asked if I will go into full-time ministry when I leave this job, and the answer is that I want to do what the Lord leads me to do. I would like to stay connected to Chesterfield Fire & EMS as a department chaplain, if they will have me. I will start back to school at Liberty University Seminary in a couple of weeks, and continue to pastor Bermuda Baptist Church. Though the sun has not set on this career just yet, the sun is in the western sky; so let me go. I’ve got work to do!
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