Pastor comes to emotional rescue for Janesville firefighters
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Volunteer Fire Chaplain Pastor Bruce Gray, center, talks with firefighters at Janesville Fire Station #2.
JANESVILLE — Pastor Bruce Gray sat around the kitchen table with firefighters during a recent visit to Janesville Fire Department Station No. 2.
While answering a question about a logo sewn onto the sleeve of his white, button-down shirt, one of the paramedics dragged his chair closer, leaned in and boomed: “Come on. Show us your guns!”
Such banter has become part of the relationship between fire staff and Gray, who was named department chaplain in September 2009.
Firefighters said they found Gray approachable the first time he walked into a station house.
“He was easy to talk to,” said Elizabeth Henderson.
“He just clicked with us,” agreed Steve Meyer.
Fire Chief Jim Jensen said he’s been told the department had a chaplain many years ago, but he’s not been able to find any official records.
Jensen said the volunteer chaplain fills an important role.
“Our first responders are exposed to some terrible situations—things the average person doesn’t see on a regular basis—and that affects everybody differently,” Jensen said.
“We’ve trained a couple people in critical incident stress management, but I think it’s important for someone from the outside who can become acquainted with our people so they can get comfortable opening up to that person.
“That’s what the chaplain can do, and Pastor Gray is trying to get to know our people so they’re willing to share things with him so he can be a resource in managing that stress. That’s very valuable to maintaining the well being of our people. We need to take care of our people not just physically but emotionally,” Jensen said.
Gray, 49, is Mequon native and said he’s always been interested in getting involved in the community. He leads the congregation of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church near fire Station No. 2 and serves on the board of ECHO, a local faith-sponsored charity.
The fit between firefighters and Gray has been a good one, Jensen said.
“Pastor Gray is pretty good at making people feel comfortable. He’s not stiff, has got a good personality and gets along well with people,’’ he said.
“He’s a friend coming into the station who can talk to you,” Lt. Dave Sheen said.
Meyer agreed: “I would no way go home and tell my wife specific details of what happened, but with him being a pastor, he sees stuff, too. It’s a comfort. He’s family and understands confidentiality, too.”
Gray is available 24/7.
“All the stations have my card,’’ he said. “I’m there to listen, not to offer advice. I want to be an available ear, colleague and friend.
“When I walk in (to a station), they know who I am. I probably know 90 percent of the faces and 55 percent of the names,” he said.
Gray is fond of watching the growth of the firefighters, whether it’s new recruits learning the job or veterans getting promoted.
“Just being part of that, that’s memorable,” he said.
Jan 5, 2012 at 8:19 a.m.
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ffemtp - Don't waste your time arguing with Sigma40. Their flame blew out a long time ago and the only thing this person is able to do is post negative comments just about on every topic on this site. I've yet to see anything positive posted by Sigma so don't take it personal as 99% of the rest of us get it and appreciate what you and your associates do for the public. That old saying, " It takes all kinds" pretty much fits in here! Keep up the good work!
Jan 4, 2012 at 10:35 p.m.
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Please, please, all of you reading Smegma40's posts, do not take his words seriously. He has always used his words to shock/hurt/get a rise out of us (and fine, caring people such as ffempt) because of his own mother's hysterical reaction to what she saw laying before her the day he was born.
Who would want un uncaring individual to be the one to find them (or any victim) in a fire or other tragic situation? Not me; I would want a caring individual to find me whether I survived or not, not someone like Smegma who would likely kick me under the debris if I could not walk away under my own power, or if no one was watching. (For the record, I know normal emergency personel do not do that in any circumstance).
Jan 4, 2012 at 8:33 p.m.
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Thank God the brave men and women, past and present didn't just give in and say, "ya know, I think I'm tired and I've got other things to do and protecting your freedom isn't on the list". There are a great many soldiers, also past and present who returned home from battle in need of people in their life to offer support and encouragement to them in their time of need. The problem with today's society is, everyone's too proud to ask for help, and everyone else is too wrapped up in themselves to open their heart and give it to those who need it. Everyone expects something in return, when we should be serving one another selflessly as opposed to turning our backs on each other.
Jan 4, 2012 at 7:55 p.m.
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If everyone who signed up to be a Firefighter - Paramedic promised never to cry about the things they saw there would be none. Critical Incident Stress Management is neither a band-aid or a crutch. If there is a person who can hold and comfort a child as their skin melts off of them from burns, do whatever they can to try and save a two year old who has been hit by a car when you know that no matter how hard you try they will die anyway, run into a burning building while a mother is pleading for you to save her baby trapped inside, and come upon the scene of a car accident where you have to walk around in search of a missing arm and never feel stressed out - well, that person is just not human enough to do the job we do with compassion and strength. Roll your eyes all you want, but if you happen to need a medic when you, your child or your parent are hurt and scared remember what kind of medic you want.
Jan 4, 2012 at 7:17 p.m.
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I wouldnt sign up for a job and then cry about the things i encounter....sorry. I guess since my tax dollar isnt covering it, its all good. (rolls eyes).
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Im just tired of reading all these crutches and bandaids we put on things. We no longer address the problems, fix them, or anything because people are too sensitive.
Jan 4, 2012 at 2:37 p.m.
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yes sigma, over the past month or so you have become quite disturbed yourself. Perhaps this chaplain could do you some good. or a stiff drink or something. your starting to sound like mouse.
Jan 4, 2012 at 2:20 p.m.
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Sigma 40, think before you post. Yes, everyone is entitled to an opinion but sometimes your comments are so woefully insensitive that one must wonder if you have any self-control or compassion for others.
Jan 4, 2012 at 2:14 p.m.
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Are you serious? We keep it together just fine thanks. It's what happens afterward that we might need a little support for. We aren't talking kitchen fires, a dead cat or a fender bender. There are only so many times you can get brains on your uniform without having a nightmare. But you wouldn't know anything about that would you?
Jan 4, 2012 at 1:50 p.m.
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So these individuals do a job that they can not keep it together for? Awesome...I hope my house never starts on fire....the jeapardy of it would be relying on a bunch of emotional firefighters. FYI... if they remove this crutch (chaplain) they would become much stronger individuals, and if they were not capable they should seek another line of work.
Jan 4, 2012 at 1:34 p.m.
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Those are two interesting perspectives...
Jan 3, 2012 at 4:11 p.m.
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Great story. While I am no fan of religion, I am a big fan of faith. That is what he is maintaining in these individuals who do see some horrific things.
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