Working with firefighters

I was so excited to post that Dylan Stein Acupuncture was able to register with the FDNY and offer acupuncture treatments to firefighters, paramedics and EMTs with FDNY health insurance. It really means a lot to me to get to work with this particular group of people who are near and dear to my heart.

Why you ask? Well, because of my dad.

My father is a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, and flew in B-52s and KC-135s. After returning to New York and getting married to my mom, he had some calm years, but wanted to find a way to make a difference. So, he joined a volunteer fire department. I grew up with him jumping out of bed at the sound of a walkie talkie blaring and running out the door. There were definitely tears, but I came to really appreciate and respect what he did. And I even got to ride on a fire truck, so how could I stay sad, right?

My dad trained in Suffolk, Rockland and Ulster Counties. He was a first assistant Chief Officer, and served in five different fire departments in New York (Fair Harbor and Pine Hill), New Jersey (Monsey) and Pennsylvania (Ivyland). I got to learn about what an FTC was. It’s a Fire Training Center, and I was the only first grader who could say anything on that subject. I got to tell my friends my father went into flaming buildings. It was scary, but it was also awesome.

Twenty-two years and two more kids later, he left the firefighting life. He had moved from New York to Pennsylvania and back to New York again. He stayed involved in civil service through Ham radio and weather reporting during natural disasters. When he finally moved back to New York, he became a first responder for weather-related disasters and worked on disaster preparedness on Long Island.

Then he joined the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. My dad achieved the rank of Captain, and became the Squadron Commander of Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Cadet Squadron – NER NY 288. He received commendations from the CAP National Commander for service during Hurricane Sandy and two New York Wing Commander Commendations for service during Hurricanes Sandy and Irene.

He’s now retired and taking it easy, but I still have the greatest respect for firefighters. This work is not easy, it can be very dangerous, and still people show up for work day after day. It’s a pleasure to serve this community. I’m so looking forward to this new privilege.