Jumpline MAG_Winter 2026 - Flipbook - Page 16
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Michael Vallone, Ret.
The Jumpline Editor
Givers
GIVING- act of performing a task for fire personnel, especially for the benefit of individuals
specifically, and the fire service generally.
TIME- a linear chronological sequence, measured by and for people, for various defined events
such as conception, birth, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, middle age, anniversaries, birthdays,
old age, and death. Time is measured in seconds, minutes, days, weeks, months, and years. There are
immutable characteristics regarding time: it moves forward, it does not stop, and there is no going
backward. Another important aspect of time is that it is personal, we are the owners of our own time,
we are gifted with life, the spark of life resides inside every individual, and with life we get time. It is
ours to use as we see fit.
SELFLESS- the giving of time, one’s own to others; for moments, a single event, day after day,
or year after year. How grand it is to give and give and give for the benefit of others, especially with no
monetary reward, no salary. Sometime blessings are unseen, sometimes they should be talked about.
There is an old adage in the military: all gave
some, some gave all. In the 昀椀re service it is a bit different
in some respects, but similar in others. The 昀椀re service is paramilitary. Paramilitary is a civilian force, not military in essence,
but of some analogous characteristics: it functions in an organized manner, both have personnel that serve, but paramilitary
goes home at the end of shift, there is a de昀椀ned structure, some
authoritarianism, ranks, objective promotions, and specialized
operations. Military and paramilitary are different sides of the
same coin: the coin of service.
In the 昀椀re service all give. Everyone does their shift; 8, 10, or 24
hours, some go home afterward, respite is needed. But some
continue to work, not overtime, but something else. And there
are those who put in many more hours, without 昀椀nancial compensation. And not just a bit of time, but enough hours that could
equate with another full-time job. This type of giving is usually
unsung, unbeknownst to most, nonmonentarily compensated,
not adrenaline pumping, and will not be. Nevertheless, there are
individuals that put in these times of service that bene昀椀t others,
not themselves; good works is its own
reward. Their functions are essential,
positive, and even life altering, with
no fanfare. There are many of these
individuals, but only a few will be discussed here; that in no way demeans
all the others who give.
Their giving involves effort, mental,
physical, and compassionate. This giving can be, but often isn’t, measured in
time. Time is a precious commodity that
is so easily and often overlooked or ignored. It creeps by. Before one knows
it, so much has gone by; youth-career-retirement-old age, in the
blink of an eye. Yet these givers are giving their time to others,
known and unknown people bene昀椀ting from their efforts. As an
outsider focusing on some of these givers, it can be seen just
how much time they give and the awesomeness is revealed,
otherwise it’s not seen.
It started in the U.S. Army: 1st Ranger Battalion, to Operation
Desert Storm, to Sunrise Fire Rescue, and 昀椀nally MDFR, recruit
class 91, battalion 12, 13, and 昀椀re station 37. Then an outside
event, perhaps changed the course of his life, they say God
works in mysterious ways. His elderly father was embezzled
out of a large sum of money. The thieves
would steal your soul if it wasn’t attached.
Alex motivated by that event got the opportunity to move into
the Elder Links program which helps elderly individuals with a
variety of needs. The draw of helping others was strong. Elder
Links led to PEER support then the MDFR Chaplaincy. Pushing
administration led to development of a huge successful 昀椀re昀椀ghter support program: to date 20 volunteer chaplains, 60 PEER
support personnel, 15 canine volunteers. He has prodded management to realize the importance of 昀椀re昀椀ghter support. He now
has an MDFR vehicle for call outs at all hours after using his
personal vehicle for years. This is good progress.
A large focus is now on 昀椀re昀椀ghter suicide prevention. Lt. Alex Trinchet, and all the others put in
huge amounts of time to help others, and this time is almost
always without compensation. They do it for the love of service, and they make a difference. He doesn’t personally know all
these people, but has to 昀椀nd out about them to empathetically
offer the best service for the loss. Time and effort he gives.
Alex is moved by his faith. He does
preaching, youth counseling, and
retreats at a church he attends. He
cites, as a driving personal force,
some of the Ranger Creed: never
leave a comrade behind and complete the mission. He lives this in
his efforts to help all others all the
time. He has no boundaries when it
comes to helping others. As do all
昀椀re昀椀ghters, Alex comes when called.
Alex has recognized the importance
of PEER support decades ago and
has dedicated his life to it. He also sees that growth in PEER
support is important and that comes with learning and experience. He has earned a master’s degree in professional counseling and a counseling license from the state of Florida with
a focus on military and 昀椀rst responders mental health. He is
on the Miami-Dade County Interfaith Advisory Board, and is the
South Florida Regional Chaplain Coordinator. The role of PEER
support is expanding and being recognized as an essential ingredient in emergency response.
Fire service management, worldwide, in particular MDFR, recognizes the importance of monitoring and early detection of the
Winter 2025 | JUMPLINE Magazine
