Blessed and Amazed

I am a part of many organizations and longevity fits into my lifestyle. I have been a member of the Vienna Fire Department and worked for my business Wilson’s Garage 40 years. In that time I have participated in Scouting for nearly 40 yrs, and attended many events for nearly 50 yrs.
The Piedmont Fire Expo held the 40th Anniversary show at Benton Convention Center. As a young fireman my mentors sent me to the first Seminar and I have continued every year since. I missed a few in college and started helping early on. I got onto the training committee in 1984 or 5 and have been helping load the buildings with trucks and tabletops since the middle 80’s.
Vendors and guests have been the backbone of one of the largest displays in the state. We have had top national and leading training available for the attendees to educate and inform as needed. Major incidents and motivational Speakers along with trends and basic info. When certification became the trend we held special certifications.
The Expo has changed and moved locations over the years. We have outgrown several venues. We currently can fill almost any floor space in the Winston-Salem Area. Attendees again this year had the chance to be more social. Tabletops and trucks on one floor. Breakout classes were well attended and a Keynote for the first time in 8 years challenged all departments attendance to remember Why we are Doing What we Do!
Men, Women, and Children are the reason we respond period. Not for the Service, Beautiful Trucks, Tradition, or Ego’s. We respond, Prevent, Educate, and investigate simply to Save the lives of those in our districts. We get it! Sometimes we need reminding and it takes getting out of our element. At home we are Hero’s! We are busy, service oriented , and very important to the community. Not having the big head but big fish in the little pond… Going to the Expo and walking among hundreds of heroes puts you in a different perspective. You become a big fish in the larger body of water. Maybe even walking among the leaders of the County, City , and State and this weekend National Fire Service we seem like a smaller hero. It is a feeling we all need at times. The ability to truly interact with Giants of our Fire Service is amazing. One on one time with Authors of the books and periodicals we read. Trainers with thousands of hours of time using and testing the tools of our trade are available. Finding how you match-up with knowledge and tactics and SOG’s is sometimes enlightening.
Blessed and Amazed at the evolution of our business and the Wonderful reinforcement of your own personal goals and levels of achievement. I get to walk among Giants of the Fire Service and Serve with Pride my Little Vienna Fire Department. Uplifted and reinforced to continue the weekly training and call volume is the What my Expo does.
Thanks to all who helped and planned and carried out the 40th Annual Piedmont Fire Expo!!!