On January 22, the first day of the spring semester, my father, Chief Richard Allen, passed away while I was lecturing the incoming FIRE Foundry recruits. I completed the lesson as I believed he would have wanted, then went home to say goodbye.
My father was a legend in the San Francisco Fire Department—a trailblazer in firefighting, both in aqueous and structural rescue, and one of the first firefighter-paramedics in the city. His pioneering work led to the integration of EMS care into the SFFD's job description, met with both enthusiasm and resistance. Yet one cannot dispute that he lived life on his own terms, positively impacting countless others through his courage and dedication.
While his passing did not directly alter my teaching methods, it certainly strengthened my resolve in this profession—a calling defined by unwavering commitment and the knowledge that it may one day demand everything from us, even as we strive to save others. I share his stories with recruits to illustrate how quick thinking and composure can shape outcomes in chaotic situations. His experiences have become allegories that breathe life into our lessons. After all, while facts may fade from memory after tests, stories endure.ine can make all the difference. Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
