The Calling

Why We Show Up

You don’t stumble into this life.
You get called to it.

Sometimes that call is loud—a siren in your soul that says, “This is what I was made for.” Other times, it’s a whisper that grows over time. But every first responder I know has felt it: that pull toward service, that instinct to run toward danger when everyone else runs away.

That calling matters. Because when the job gets hard—and it will get hard—your “why” is the thing that keeps you standing.

More Than a Job. It’s a Purpose.

People love to say, “It’s just a job.” But when you’re a first responder, that’s not really true. You don’t just clock in and clock out. You step into people’s lives at their worst moments. Car crashes. House fires. Medical crises. Domestic disputes. Every call is someone’s emergency—and you’re the one who shows up to help.

That’s not “just a job.” That’s a responsibility. That’s a calling.

It’s not about heroism. It’s about humanity.

How You Know You’re Called

You might be wondering, “Am I really cut out for this?” Here’s what I tell new recruits:

• If you’ve ever felt a deep sense of calm in chaos—you might be called.
• If you find yourself stepping up when others freeze—you might be called.
• If you want to serve your community, even when it’s messy, thankless, or hard—you might be called.

But here’s the thing: being called doesn’t mean you’re ready. It just means you’re willing to answer. The readiness comes with training, with mentorship, and with experience.

We’ll get into all that later in the series. But for now, just know that willingness is where it begins.

Your Why Has to Be Bigger Than Your Image

Some folks come into this world chasing a title. They want to wear the badge, drive the truck, or tell stories at the bar. But image won’t carry you when the adrenaline wears off. It won’t help you sleep after a hard call. It won’t keep you grounded when you lose someone on the scene.

Only purpose can do that.

Your “why” has to be bigger than the uniform. Bigger than the gear. Bigger than the applause. Because sometimes, there’s no applause. There’s just the work. And if you don’t love the work, the work will eat you alive.

Service Over Self

At the heart of this calling is one simple truth: it’s not about you.

It’s about the grandmother whose heart is failing.
The teenager trapped in a wrecked car.
The parent whose house is on fire.
The person crying behind a locked door, unsure if they want to live.

You don’t have to fix it all. You just have to show up. Fully. Humbly. Willingly.

That’s what we do.

My Own Why

For me, it started with watching firefighters save a neighbor’s life when I was a kid. I saw their courage, their calm, and their care—and something clicked. I knew I wanted to be that kind of presence for someone else.

Over the years, my “why” has evolved. Now, as a coach and mentor, my purpose is to help you stay connected to yours.

Because this path will test you. It will stretch you. And on the hardest days, you’ll need a reminder of why you said yes in the first place.

Let this be that reminder.

Up Next: “Training Day: Earning the Right to Serve”
We’ll dig into what it really takes—physically, mentally, emotionally—to wear the uniform with integrity.