For over 344 years the Boston fire department has led America and set the example for excellence, standards and service to others. Boston's firefighters are supported and empowered by Local 718, the Boston firefighter's union. For this 9/11 special edition episode, Fran Racioppi goes home to Boston to sit down with a group who know no other mission than to preserve and protect life.

Fran spends part one of the episode with newly elected President of Local 718 Sam Dillon discussing his service in the US Marines, why his three pillars of Solidarity, Advocacy, and Respect are essential to the next generation of firefighter and the mental health of first responders. 

In the post 9/11 world, the Boston Fire Department maintains one of the strongest Veteran communities in the country. In part two Fran and Sam are joined by fellow Veterans turned Boston firefighters Greg Kelly, Tony McDonagh and Josh Stuart-Shor on what it means to serve their country and their city, no matter the challenge. 

Learn more about the Local 718 and the Boston Fire Department www.bostonfirelocal718.org and follow them on social media @bostonfirefighters.

Read the full episode transcription here and learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Check out the full video version on YouTube.

Highlights: 

-0:00 Welcome to Egleston Square Firehouse

-6:44 Local 718 advocates for the firefighters of Boston 

-7:45 Sam answers the call to run for Local 718 Union President 

-9:35 History of Boston Fire Department

-12:51 The mission and standards of a Boston Firefighter

-21:30 The leadership of the fire department has been passed to the post 9/11 generation

-23:39 Sam’s career in the Marine Corps & being awarded the Purple Heart

-28:47 First responder mental health and transition 

-30:11 The impact of COVID on the Boston Fire Department

-34:40 Sam’s Three pillars of Solidarity, Advocacy & Respect

-38:41 A tribute to first responders

-47:00 Crisis leadership in Boston

-51:58 Greg, Tony and Josh join to discuss a lifetime of service and the impact 9/11 had on each of them

-1:10:10 The camaraderie of the fire department

Quotes: 

-”Firefighters are this city’s lifeline; and this union…it’s the lifeline for firefighters and their families.” (6:49)

-”When I came on this job I was just happy to be a Boston firefighter…my life long ambition.” (7:47)

-”You don’t always get to pick your time. Sometimes your time picks you.” (9:11)

-”Boston was at the forefront of America; and Boston firefighters are at the forefront of firefighting.” (11:39)

-“Mission, team, self…in that order.” (16:34)

-”We are willing to lose our lives for each other. We are willing to lose our lives for the city of Boston.” (17:59)

-”You cannot sit idly by when your country and your way of life is  attacked.” (25:34)

-”If you spend the rest of your life trying to erase them, those things are eventually just gonna erase you.” (29:41)

-”I don’t pray for fires, but if there’s a fire I want them to call me.” (1:18:46)

This episode is brought to you by Jersey Mike’s, 18A Fitness, and Analytix Solutions