Guest MINDSETTER™ Bob Sweeney: “Day of Appreciation"

Guest MINDSETTER™ Bob Sweeney: “Day of Appreciation"

Today our law enforcement is under duress caused by a series of horrific incidents to both the suspects and patrol officers on duty. Their is a need to support all members of our public safety team with a unified approach.

When an emergency  arises we turn to the men and women of our public safety community who are our first line of protection from most serious hazardous incidents. They are our first responders in law enforcement and fire service agencies. They may be required to risk their lives and personal safety to defend us from bodily harm or provide immediate property protection. 

There are approximately two million men and women combined who are members of our law enforcement and fire service departments in the U.S.  Over the past ten years an average of *240 public safety officers died each year from on duty incidents. They have approximately *100,000 assaults or injuries yearly many resulting in serious injuries. Both services have the mission to protect the public’s safety and their property and for years they have provided all of us with an excellent record of achieving both.

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Today we do not have a single national holiday set aside to show our respect for all the services that they provide. Yes there are local and regional ceremonies known only to public officials, family members, and a few citizens of the honored members’ community.

Let us show our trust and respect by honoring them with a single national “Day of Appreciation” but not a new national holiday. All are welcome to make a suggestion of their day of choice. I would like to be the first to suggest St. Patrick’s Day as it is celebrated nationally but is not a public holiday. Many of these same brave men and women will be marching in parades throughout the U.S. on this day. In the early formation of both departments Irish-Americans made up a good percentage of the total enrollment in many of our large American cities. Also the Emerald Society’s Pipe and Drum band made up of Irish-American officers of the local Police or Fire Departments will usually lead the funeral processions of fallen officer’s killed in the line of duty with their sad cadence of drums and pipes. I am sure the Irish will be proud to share their holiday with all as many of their own family members serve in both communities. 

During the yet to be determined day we can then publicly thank all the men and women both active, retired, and deceased as the time is long overdue. It should be celebrated with both solemnity and celebration and St. Pat’s fits the bill.

National Fire Protection Association {nfpa.org/facts}

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (nleof.org/facts/enforcement}

 

Bob Sweeney, President, RES Associates, Consultant, “Life Safety in Construction”