Getting The Bird

So, last year, my fire department upgraded my ride to a brand new 2022 Ford PIU (Police Interceptor Utility). It's the same model that our local police force drives, except mine, is a beautiful fire engine red. Even though it has a light package and is the same model, nobody should confuse me for being a cop.

Enter the lady on the side of the street the other day. I don't know why she had an angry look when she saw me driving down the road. I don't think we've ever met. And I'm not sure why she gave me that one-finger salute with her finger sticking straight up in the air. That is not normally the finger we use to say there is one way to God or that I was number 1 in her books. No, I'm sure she had another thought in her mind. I want to believe she didn't realize I worked for the fire department. And I'm sure she didn't know that I was a chaplain. And with her attitude, I thought it was best to keep the mystery at that time and continue driving on.

Since we work in public safety next to our police and fire brothers and sisters, it can be, though rarely, easy to confuse us sometimes. We, as chaplains, try, for the most part, to dress differently than police officers. Still, when emotions on the scene run high, people think everyone is a cop. It’s easy for people to transfer their hostilities toward other first responders to us.

My boss at the hospital I worked as a chaplain in Columbia, SC, said he wanted us chaplains to be in the middle of any heated event. We were the ones who he wanted to bring peace. I learned that sometimes, to bring peace means you have to be in harm's way. This is what I believe in. It is the way of the chaplain.

With that, here are five things to think about concerning safety as a chaplain.

1. Be very aware of your surroundings. We weren’t called to a scene because everyone is a model citizen. There are often bad players who commit or still want to do harm. With that, I watch for a few things. I walk into a room, thinking of my main exit and a backup. I’m not paranoid, just prudent. I also look for weapons lying around. Our culture loves guns, and I have seen more than my fair share of unsecured weapons. It is nice to let our law enforcement friends know where they are. And speaking of law enforcement, always watch what they are doing. They typically know more than anyone else does.

2. Have verbal judo skills. When I went through the police academy in Oregon, I was introduced to the book "Verbal Judo." I would recommend it to anyone in public safety that deals with the public.

3. Follow the fire department's lead and wait to go into a call till the police have secured the scene. As a chaplain, you should never go into an unsecured scene. Granted, the scene may become unsecured after you get there. But for the most part, wait till you are cleared to go in.

4. Know when to call for PD backup. Know where your backup is. Know how to use that mayday button on your radio, and don't be afraid to use it. I have rarely done this, but it is there for a reason. Be aware.

5. Know when to leave. If the hair is up on the back of your neck, it's probably for a good reason. Leave.

I have come to realize that not everyone loves the chaplain. We may be in the wrong place at the wrong time and wind up in a heated situation. They may have a beef with someone of the clergy and project it on you. Hopefully, you have not earned this anger. And sometimes, we can be mistaken for someone we are not. Hence, the angry lady who gave me the bird.