When Tommy Neiman, firefighter with the Fort Pearce Fire Department in Florida, is responding to an emergency, his prayer frequently is brief. However, “God, use me,” has become his model prayer in a crisis situation and in everyday life.
Neiman’s 29-year career has afforded numerous opportunities for service and encouraging other first responders to use their skills and faith to serve God in every circumstance. On Sept. 21, at First Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, in Tuscaloosa Baptist Association, he shared his testimony. In the congregation were first responders from seven local departments, including police officers, deputy sheriffs, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and volunteer responders.
According to Pastor Gil McKee, First Responder Sunday was planned to honor and show appreciation to these local public servants. McKee said the church recognizes we live in a culture that resists authority of every kind.
“We wanted to show our respect for those who put their lives on the line every day for very modest salaries and great personal sacrifice,” he said. “First responders should be regarded as heroes and heroines and respected as such.”
Each guest was given a copy of Neiman’s book, “Sirens For the Cross,” and a coin with a first responder symbol on one side and a church emblem on the reverse. McKee told the responders he hoped they would carry the coin and remember church members were praying for them daily.
Govenor Robert Bentley spoke briefly to those being honored. He recalled that Tuscaloosa has a special reason to be grateful to first responders because of their outstanding work after the April 27, 2011, tornado that ripped through the city. But he also emphasized these men and women leave home every morning knowing they may have the opportunity to save lives but also that they may risk their own lives.
Neiman also emphasized the risk involved in everyday crises.
“Seeing smoke in the distance makes my heart rate go up,” he said. “Every responder looks forward to getting that next alarm. That’s what we do. But sometimes the next alarm will be some responder’s last alarm.”
He recalled traveling to New York City to serve after Sept. 11 when approximately 240 firefighters lost their lives. “That was how many firefighters we had in my whole department back home. I imagined how it would feel to lose all those workers.”
One Scripture he frequently quotes to people is John 16:33: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart. I have overcome the world.”
Among the crises Neiman said God has given him some truly joyous moments, including delivering six babies. One day he said he answered a call to a birthday party where a 107-year-old man had fallen and needed the rescue unit, and then later in the day he delivered a baby in an emergency situation. Being a first responder provides “an opportunity for seeing the wide range of life,” he said.
For all responders a crisis means quick response, he added. At his department when an alarm is sounded, firefighters are expected to put on their gear, slide down a 15-foot pole and be in the fire truck in 90 seconds.
Neiman said he often asks himself: “Do I respond to Christ that quickly?”
McKee hopes churches in other communities will host a First Responder Sunday. “It is a great way for the church to say ‘thank you’ to those who serve the citizens and the churches of our communities.”
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