North Shore Fire Department Chaplain Program

The mission of the Chaplain Program is to provide spiritual and emotional support for the personnel and their families of the North Shore Fire Department, through a comprehensive Chaplaincy program; and to provide spiritual guidance during times of need for the residents of the North Shore.

NSFD Chaplains Paramedic Squad Leader Jake Javens worked closely with Father Charles Bisgrove to start the program for the North Shore Fire Department. Father Bisgrove, a Catholic priest and Chaplain for the Franklin, WI Police and Fire departments, met with 35 members of the clergy from the North Shore area – rabbis, priests and ministers – in early 2003 to talk about his experiences as the Chaplain in Franklin. After hearing the presentation, three people expressed an interest in being our Chaplain, and all three were chosen: The Reverend Lee Downs, Pastor Robert Dick and Cantor David Barash (pictured above). Since joining NSFD, they have been trained in Critical Incident Stress Management and have learned the skills necessary to effectively relate to and minister to the firefighters, their families and to the victims of fires and accidents.

Although there is a schedule of when each is on call, they are so dedicated and committed to the program that generally all three show up at fires and other emergencies where ministerial services are needed. On the scene duties include:

Provide appropriate victim assistance, freeing up operational personnel for other duties
Comfort and counsel
Make available the “After the Fire” manual to all victims of a working fire
Assist in helping to contact family membersAttempt to notify the victim’s minister or rabbi
Assist with ‘First Night is On Us’ arrangements
Assist in death notifications

Our three Chaplains have spent hours riding along with firefighters, getting to know them, experiencing what a typical day is like, and seeing how they cope with the stress of their work.

The Fire Chaplain Prayer
(from the Federation of Fire Chaplains)

Dear Lord, I turn to you each day for guidance,
For I know You can supply my every need.
And I want each soul to whom I render service,
To know You are behind my every deed.

As a Chaplain dedicated to the Fire Service,
These are very special people I must Serve,
They have chosen lives of public dedication,
That requires a body strong and filled with nerve.

Each and every time the fire alarm is sounded,
Please, look down and of my movements take control,
Guide my footsteps as I go to join my comrades,
As their ladders they set up and hose they unroll.

Open wide my eyes that I might see each problem,
Let my ears be tuned in case someone should call.
Let my lips deliver words to lend compassion,
Let my hands assist if some firefighter falls.

If it falls my lot to take a saddened message,
To the family of some badly injured person,
Give my tongue the words to speak for consolation.
Let my words give hope and comfort when they can.

Let me gain the confidence of each firefighter.
Let them speak of any problem they desire.
Let them understand each talk is fully private,
May each answer that I give them hope inspire.

Guide my conduct as I labor for You daily,
May each image that I cast reflect of You.
Let my light so shine that each and every person
Will know it’s Your hand that guides each deed I do.

Amen.

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North Shore Fire Department Chaplain Program

The Fire Chaplain Prayer (from the Federation of Fire Chaplains)

The Fire Chaplain Prayer
(from the Federation of Fire Chaplains)