Definition of a Hero

I was recently asked to write an opinion entry for my company's blog.  Here is the link and the entry:


At ICS, we take great pride in our mission of empowering and supporting HEROES with our products.  This week really brings the term HERO into perspective. 

Across this great nation we see hundreds of ceremonies of all sizes remembering those HEROES who stepped up on September 11, 2001.  Although it has been 12 years since that tragic day, stories of heroism are still coming out.  I get an overwhelming feeling and usually tears every single time I hear of another firefighter or police officer who rushed into those buildings without a second thought in an effort to rescue others.  I appreciate that some news outlets are still telling those stories.  Although feelings of sadness and horror are resurrected in all Americans each time one of these stories is shared, it is important that we as a nation do not forget these heroes and others like them all over the country.

The ICS office is full of former and current public safety officials.  We know and understand what firefighters and law enforcement officers go through every day.  As part of my role to continually understand the changing needs of those in public safety, I have the privilege of spending a day each week riding with a patrol officer from varying agencies.  Not only does this give ICS an opportunity to see what we can do better in our present software, it gives us constant feedback as to possible enhancements for both current and future ICS users.

Sure, I have seen a few exciting things in my time on the passenger side of patrol car.  Seeing how these officers react in a heartbeat to someone in distress makes me proud to know them.  They often put themselves in harm’s way for the greater cause of making the day safer for a person they do not know.

The ride-alongs, however, can be monotonous at times.  No one ever said police work is exciting 100% of the time.  Those downtimes, though, allow me to pick the brain of the officer.  I enjoy getting to know them and also love hearing what made them go into law enforcement in the first place.  The reason is pretty constant.  They want to help people.  Is that not the simple definition of a HERO?  The same can be said for nurses, teachers, and firefighters.  These men and women hold a position that is never going to get high praise or make them rich all because they want to help us in our times of need.  That is heroic in every sense of the word.

As we see ceremonies and stories of heroism connected to September 11^th, let’s also remember other heroes who are in our own back yard.  Let’s also not wait until a holiday or significant day in history to make our appreciation shown.  If you see some firefighters at lunch, go up and thank them.  It would not be much to ask to pick up the tab on a cup of coffee for a police officer working the late shift in order to keep your community safe.

A simple ‘Thank You’ can go a long way.