When a Firefighter Comes Out, the Brotherhood Stands with Him

Jim Duckworth, a firefighter/EMT and the president of Local 1045, Concord’s firefighter union, recently highlighted a different kind of bravery among the ranks of his fellow firefighters, according to a post on Facebook.

Duckworth shared the story of Mike Pepin, a firefighter and paramedic who has been on the team for nearly 16 years and been involved in every aspect of the department, from rescuing people to dealing with negotiations and human relations, and well as training and attending conferences.

But recently, Pepin was involved in one of the toughest decisions of his life – coming out to his colleagues.

“Pepin stood up at a union meeting about four years ago and he walked to the front,” Duckworth wrote. “In front of all of us he ‘came out.’ I have often thought about this moment because firefighters, as we all know, are not the most open to change. The strength to tell all of the men and woman he works with the truth must have been one of the most terrifying experiences.”

Duckworth said that Pepin was not alone and there were many in departments in New Hampshire and other places where it wouldn’t be accepted to be who they are with others.

“To force a person to deny who they are belittles the local and the fire service as a whole, he noted. “Let’s support all our brothers and sisters, let’s be all for one and one for all.”

Read the full post on Facebook.