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MY TURN: The bond of firefighters

by MARTI STOW / Guest Opinion
| July 5, 2025 1:00 AM

There is a phenomenon that can be found within the culture of firefighting. It is not hard to see that firefighters have a strong relationship, but I do not think most people can visualize how deep this connection goes. 

It is difficult to put into words. You could describe it as a special bond, a brotherhood/sisterhood, a loyalty or a family. But none of these is quite enough, for it is a unique and extraordinary tie that transcends all cultural and ethnographic arenas. The connection between firefighters is strong enough that they are willing to die for one another. 

As a former firefighter with Kootenai County, I experienced this bond among my brothers and sisters. It is a bond that remains, many years later, between myself and those with whom I served as well as those who have come after. 

I still recall the many lives and property we saved and the times when I was saved by my brothers from my station. I remember how they were always there for me in good and bad times, ready to assist with everyday life or crisis. I will never forget how they stood up for me and how they were always on my side.

The best analogy I have been able to come up with would be to describe this bond as that of a living organism. While looking across my backyard at a grove of quaking aspen, I remembered how they are different from other trees. 

While each tree is individual, they are connected by an extensive root system. It is this extensive root system that is the core of the organism, yet unseen above ground. 

This structure provides resilience and allows them to resprout after disasters such as fire or landslides (www.nationalforests.com). When one tree is injured or killed, it affects the whole organism. 

Firefighters and other first responders are like organisms — rooted in the same dirt, drinking from the same earth, growing toward the same sunshine. They sleep, eat, drink, laugh, cry and celebrate together. They battle the same fires, dig the same trenches, perform CPR on the same victims and see horrific, unimaginable trauma. 

They are interconnected, dependent on one another and deeply affected by the pain or death of one member. They respond to emergencies as one unit relying on each other to do their part so the rescue or task can be accomplished. They are there for all of us. They are “rooted” in the same principles and bound by the same passion to help those in need. Their dedication to their profession and to each other is unmatched.

This organism could also be compared to the human body. As with the various parts of the human body such as the brain, heart, hands, etc., each firefighter in the organism has a job to do. If one part is injured, the whole body suffers. 

When one firefighter is lost, the entire organism of firefighters is hurting, injured and in pain. The bond is great. Everyone is essential, valued and overwhelmingly missed. The grief is great because a part of themselves has been taken. 

The loss that our local heroes are faced with is enormous and will take a long time to heal. The key to survival is resilience, perseverance and the ability to focus on the needs of the organism, to continue daily to heal the wounds, dig deep for nourishment and resources and to keep fighting through this loss. Reach out to them, and to their family members. 

Firefighters, your community loves you and appreciates all you do. We are here for you as you heal, and we thank you for your service.

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Marti Stow is a resident of Coeur d’Alene.