MICHAEL ROBILLARD, MICHAEL BARRETT & JIM MILES, Rutland City Fire Department
“We have met and beaten every challenge we’ve had so far. We’re not going to lose.” Rutland is a tight-knit community with a strong competitive streak. Whether it’s giving a thousand pints of blood in one day, or pulling together to revive the town’s fortunes, Rutland aims to deliver – you can see it the faces and hear it in the voices of veteran firefighters Mike Robillard, Mike Barrett and Jim Miles.
All three men work the “A Shift” at the Rutland City Fire Department, each serving the city for close to a quarter of a century. The history of the RCFD stretches back to 1829, and their "Courage, Commitment, Compassion” motto lives on, every day, under the protective watch of this trio and their fellow firefighters.
We met Mike, Jim and Mike at the Paramount Theatre, each giving blood at the 2009 Gift-of-Live Marathon – then joined them for an interview up the block at the firehouse.
These firefighters, all native Rutlanders, look at donating blood the same way that they look at firefighting. Michael Barrett reflects, “As a fireman, to me, we’re here for people in need. Giving blood is for people in need.” Jim Miles said he started donating seven years ago when a family member required blood. Since then he and his family donate together at the Gift-of-Life every year. Michael Robillard, in turn, pulls double duty during the blood drive, as a donor and a behind-the-scenes volunteer.
When asked about Rutland, each man testifies to the city’s galvanizing, generous spirit. Notes Jim Miles, “Rutland’s a huge caring community. When things go bad, everybody comes together no matter what the situation is, whether financially, structurally, family-wise or personal loss. Everyone just comes together.”
Rutland City Fire Department
CHECK OUT TRAILER FOR "The Blood in this Town"
Rutland City Fire Department
CHECK OUT TRAILER FOR "The Blood in this Town"
No comments:
Post a Comment