- An Open Letter to Canadian Firefighters -

Heroes and Examples to Fight the Global Fire

Firefighters have done more than help people in times of need and trouble. They have done more than rescue us and help to raise money and awareness for critical social issues. Firefighters are more than heroes and examples in Canadian society. Firefighters have also helped to shape culture. Their values, methods and actions have impacted Canadian culture in many important ways, resulting in the most amazing society in human history. It’s not just the artists and politicians and journalists and inventors who have helped to shape the Canadian Identity. Firefighters have also helped to shape the Canadian perspective of peaceful, helpful support and intervention in a crisis, or in times of calm and celebration. They are perhaps the best example of all that is good about this amazing country.

The fire stations and personnel at a high level of constant readiness, the gear, the red trucks, the hoses and rescue tools, the life saving equipment and uniforms [and calendars!] all contribute a point-of-view that shows us how to live modestly in peace and security. [This is Human Software of the best kind.] Firefighters are also educators and leaders and critical members of society. We could not imagine a society without firefighters at this point. And Canadian firefighters have also helped people elsewhere, on every continent in every part of the world.

Can we imagine a society that is shaped and modeled after the selfless and brave generosity and respectful kindness that our firefighters deliver to all Canadian communities all day long every day? I have imagined exactly this possibility and I have spelled it out in the third of a three essay set entitled Building The Canadian Dream. This third essay, The Future: Peace Pays [Exploring The Canadian Identity], uses firefighters as examples and as a metaphor for who we are, what we do, and what we COULD do as a nation to help a world in turmoil that is filled with conflict and chaos and suffering. Canadian firefighters prove every day that we can do much with little and have amazing results.

These three essays represent the Past, Present and Future respectively. The first two set the stage for the argument for firefighter-like behaviour on the part of Canadians in the Global community. I urge you to read these essays, as many other Canadians have done in the course of the last eighteen months since the first one was published [including politicians, judges, scholars in many fields, educators, journalists, children and parents, et cetera]. Also see the Canadian Children’s Rights Update which accompanies the essays and describes some of the many consequences that have resulted during that time. The Senate Human Rights Committee has produced a report [available on the Government of Canada website] which supports and advances my Argument in behalf of Canadian children and for the survival and security of Canada in the 21st Century. Equal Rights for children must be the first step towards our future and our destiny. Senator Andreychuk, Chair of that committee was the first public official of many to read the second essay, Our Most Precious Treasures: The Rights Of Children, and she embraced it with passion and commitment, making my agenda Canada’s agenda. No one loves children more than firefighters, and children love them right back.

Canadian firefighters can help their Nation in yet another way. They can individually and collectively read Building The Canadian Dream and they can support the Canadian Children’s Rights Initiative. Our nation and the world are in jeopardy and firefighters can make a huge difference in the outcome. We can make Canada secure and together help the world to discover and implement our unique culture which has already impacted the world to a level far beyond our numbers. The world needs our help and firefighters can and should be on the front lines in battling The Great Fire that threatens to consume us and the Earth. They are brave, smart, prepared, resourceful, influential and willing to help all and anyone. Now they can help the whole world and assist in the rescuing of countless people who suffer and perish daily.

As firefighters you will understand when I say to you, as I have to all kinds of Canadians that we are faced with a Crisis of global proportions and this is an Emergency. We must act quickly and together or we and our children could face the ugly consequences many nations face, with war and hunger and disease, environmental disaster and chaos. Canada is the world’s last great hope in a time of extreme Crisis and firefighters should be leading the way towards safety. Our governments are slow to respond to the true emergency so we must look to those who do understand. This certainly includes Canadians of all kinds, but firefighters are the key to our future in many ways.

Many of the social ills we face are the direct result of children being excluded from Equal Rights and the Senate Human Rights Committee, Ombudsman of Ontario and many others agree. We need your strong kindness to help make this happen quickly. Please tell everyone about this Initiative and help me help children. In turn they will help us to address the Crisis.

Can you help? The Alarm is ringing and no one is responding! Firefighters are essential to our survival as individuals and as a nation. We need your help!

These essays are available for download, reading and printing on the homepage of my website and on my blog [below].

Peace

John Williams - Director – Canadian Children’s Rights Initiative
519-822-4387

“Don’t keep the peace…pass it on.”

“Life is a team sport.”

www.blindmansees.com

www.thecanadiandream.blogspot.com

Support Equal Rights for children in Canada!