And then the Fireman Rushes in from the Pouring Rain, Very Strange

by John Reblin

Officer Training 2022 is in the books, and the feedback that I am hearing is that it was a great experience. I am glad to hear this, as we move forward into the new year of activities. We all have our work cut out for us in order to keep improving and moving the organization forward, ready to look at and act on issues that affect motorcycling in Wisconsin and across the country. And of course, we are already looking at next year.

The fire department in my community has all the equipment needed and it is all relatively new. Very little of the money needed comes from the community. The fire department fundraises to purchase and maintain their equipment to make sure that we are taken care of in an emergency. They also use some of that money raised to support other community efforts as they see fit.

Recently in the local papers, articles have been written about some issues the local fire departments have been going through such as looking for volunteer help and making sure their departments are able to be ready to come to our assistance if there is an issue with a fire or if a rescue squad is needed. The discussion ranges from combining close communities to help with coverage, to looking at changing volunteer positions into paid positions and have employees. Gone are the days when the local store closed down when the alarm sounded, in order to respond to the fire.

I usually go to the 4th of July parade and the local fire departments are always involved in these celebrations. They get out their trucks all clean and shiny and show off all the equipment they have to save any building that is being attacked by fire or other disasters. The honking of the air horn, the wail of the siren, along with the possibility of candy being thrown, is always a hit for all the kids and I think the community can look with pride at what these fire people are doing to protect us.

As you look at the firefighters and others walking as a group, you know that sense of pride they feel is important. They feel pride getting admiration by the crowd for a job well done. The actual pay for the hours they put in to be able to safely fight that fire or arrive at the home of a senior citizen that is having a health issue, is usually a small stipend. However, They know that what they do is important to the community, and they realize that in order to be part of a successful community they needed to be involved. Protection from hazards is an important part of surviving in society. They know that what they do is important, and they understand that sacrifices would be made. They make sacrifices by putting in the work or the schooling, and by spending the time it takes to be successful. They give back and are willing to give up that evening to attend a class or spend time in the department cleaning up from the last fire or restocking supplies. They know at any moment they may be called upon to climb out of that warm bed to fight a fire. I don’t think any of them joined for recognition, nor do I think they want it.

This week a local bar and restaurant caught fire and at the end of the day it was a total loss. It was not a good day for the owners who purchased the bar and worked hard to revitalize it. The business was doing well, but something caused a spark or overheated causing a fire to start. Many different fire departments joined in the fight, hauling water in the frigid temperatures. The firefighters were working in the wet and cold getting short breaks in a heated unit brought out by another department. But they were there, helping because they believe that what they are doing is important.

How is this different than what the people at ABATE of Wisconsin are doing? True, we are not fighting fires or saving your homes from destruction, but we are making a difference in our motorcycle lifestyle. We are working to reduce motorcycle crashes with Share The Road and Ride your own Ride, along with making sure riders are properly licensed and well trained. We spend time learning at Officer Training, Meeting of the Minds, STEAM or maybe even attend a community course. We share ideas we know that work, to improve the lifestyle we follow.

We believe, same as the firefighter, that what we do is important. We are willing to take time away from work to attend a hearing, whether it is for a ROW violation or for a bill working its way through legislation. We are willing to work through the challenges of making sure we are able to ride our motorcycles safely on Wisconsin roads. We are all willing to make that donation at events that support what we believe in. Why? Because we believe in the mission of ABATE of Wisconsin.

ABATE of Wisconsin’s goal is to give the motorcyclists of Wisconsin a strong, united voice with regard to their future, their way of life, their safety, and their legal rights as motorcyclists and citizens. And that is important. We need to believe that what the organization is doing is right, to give it what is needed. Let’s continue to work together to make our organization stronger so that we are able to handle the issues that are facing us.

Ride Your Own Ride.

John