I really have been praying for a change in the departments in the southeast. That they will see the need for the chaplaincy program. It really is unheard of where I live. With the level of uncertainty of our jobs, the stress of not knowing what the next alarm is going to be. Also the internal conflicts with the shifts and personnel, that is just from the very nature of our jobs. We work in such extreme conditions, having to respond regardless of the climactic or environmental conditions. These calls can have some far reaching effects on us as firefighters.
We as firefighters are confronted with living in a complex world, and with having to deal with people who don’t in most cases understand the job we do until they are the ones that need us. At the same time, we are supposed to be immune to the effects of the stress from our job. The firefighter faces some very real risks if they even hint that the stress is too much or is getting to them. It is as if the firefighter is expected to be the “perfect person”. They are expected to solve problems, make the complex simple, and perform emergency responses without experiencing any emotional turmoil in the process.
The chaplain can step in and create a new firehouse environment with the help of organizations like the fellowship of christian firefighters. We at Sylacauga Fire Department have devotions every Saturday. Along with the chaplaincy program the chaplain can bring spiritual guidance, some counseling, visitation to members and member’s families while sick or in need, basically a pastor outside of the church, inside the firehouse. Being a chaplain is a challenge in today’s world. Gaining respect, and working hard to set an example in all the phases of life. But it is a life well worth living for Christ. Anyone interested in starting a chaplaincy program can contact me @ sfd337@yahoo.com I will be more than glad to help in any way possible.
Chaplain Robert Osbourn
We as firefighters are confronted with living in a complex world, and with having to deal with people who don’t in most cases understand the job we do until they are the ones that need us. At the same time, we are supposed to be immune to the effects of the stress from our job. The firefighter faces some very real risks if they even hint that the stress is too much or is getting to them. It is as if the firefighter is expected to be the “perfect person”. They are expected to solve problems, make the complex simple, and perform emergency responses without experiencing any emotional turmoil in the process.
The chaplain can step in and create a new firehouse environment with the help of organizations like the fellowship of christian firefighters. We at Sylacauga Fire Department have devotions every Saturday. Along with the chaplaincy program the chaplain can bring spiritual guidance, some counseling, visitation to members and member’s families while sick or in need, basically a pastor outside of the church, inside the firehouse. Being a chaplain is a challenge in today’s world. Gaining respect, and working hard to set an example in all the phases of life. But it is a life well worth living for Christ. Anyone interested in starting a chaplaincy program can contact me @ sfd337@yahoo.com I will be more than glad to help in any way possible.
Chaplain Robert Osbourn
Chosen, Trusted, Commissioned, I will be true
The opportunity I have, was given me.
I accept it humbly and gratefully.
Mine is an important assignment with great
Responsibilities and I will do my best.
To serve the Sylacauga Fire Department.
And any place I am called by God to do so.
As an appointed chaplain of Sylacauga Fire Department.
And a chosen representative of my faith,
I will serve both with all my ability.
Since service to others is my goal,
I will seek no personal credit.
Recognizing that chaplains of other faiths have motives
Similar to my own. I will co-operate with them.
As the chaplain of men and women of many faiths,
I will serve all with equal sincerity, believing
That what I am is more convincing than what I say.
I will live worthy.
Since I have been appointed to minister.
I will strive to become a worthy representative of God.
As a chaplain I represent all citizens of good will.
This I will always remember.
Because I am Chosen, Trusted, Commissioned
For tasks beyond human limitations.
I will seek the guidance of God daily
And trust in Him.
Chaplain: Robert Osbourn
Chaplain’s Pledge
As a chaplain I have taken a pledge. “I believe that God has the answer to mankind’s problems of pain and suffering. I am ready to discuss these issues with anyone and show them the power and love of God offered through Jesus Christ. At the same time I must be open to people of all faiths and help them use their faith resources in their time of crisis. I recognize that a personal crisis is often a turning point in someone’s life. It can become a time of faith renewal and recommitment. I want to be there to help them when this time comes.”
Purpose
The purpose of a Fire Chaplain is to be a ministry of presence to the fire department personnel at the fire station and on the scene of an incident. I enjoy my job as a firefighter, we work long shifts, 24 hrs at a time. Spend a lot of our time with fellow firefighters, becoming a brotherhood. This helps us understand one another and assist each other with our needs. My goal is to enable them to be emotionally and spiritually secure even in the midst of a chaotic event.
Availability
A chaplain must be available to help victims of tragedy in a follow up capacity. Chaplains are on call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. This does not just include my shift work, a lot of it is volunteer, but it is something I enjoy doing. I have been trained in Crisis Counseling, Stress Management and Critical Incident Debriefings, defusing process, chaplain ethics, public prayer, clergy/client privilege, workplace chaplaincy, sensitivity and diversity, grief counseling, dealing with suicide, death notifications, clinical chaplaincy, law enforcement chaplaincy, prison and jail chaplaincy, domestic violence, crime scene conduct, dealing with substance abuse, legal liability and confidentiality, dealing with burnout, law enforcement (firefighter) family, dealing with trauma and addictions, I am a pastoral counselor, and have completed studies on the old and new testament, ordained through World Christianship Ministries.. A chaplain is trained to bring comfort and consolation to persons involved in critical incidents, natural catastrophes, and/or incidents dealing with death.
Fire Department Training
Emergency Vehicle Operation, Natural Gas Fire Fighting, ACT FAST, First Responder Awareness/Operations, Chemical Stockpile training CSEPP, Ranger Propane, First Responder, 160 Volunteer FireFighter, Emergency Medical Technician –AL, State Firefighter 1 400 hour, National Qualification FireFighter 1 400 hour, Firefighter II state,FireFighter II National Qualification, Instructor 1, School Bus Rescue, Hazard Materials Operation , Building Construction , Apparatus Operator Pumper , Apparatus Operator Ariel, Fire Officer 1, Hazardous Material Technician
Community Service Activities
Member of the Fellowship of Christian Firefighters, American Heart Association first-aid and CPR instructor, President of the local chapter- South Talladega County Fellowship of Christian Firefighters, Chaplain Of Sylacauga Fire Dept., Chaplain of Oak Grove Vol. Fire Dept.
Preached my fire sermon in a church setting at Dayspring Worship Center on April 30, 2008. Chaplaincy Program and the Air Supply (Urgency of The Times).
Please email me with any comments about my web site, I'm open for suggestions also. Thank you.
Chaplain Robert Osbourn
Chaplain Robert Osbourn
