Long Live the FOOLS. ☘️ We are the New England Chapter of FOOLS International. For those who might not know what the FOOLS stands for, it is the Fraternal Order Of Leatherheads Society. The FOOLS is an organization that was started in 1995 by a group of Central Florida Firemen. There are chapters all over the world. Our Chapter includes all of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont and Rhode Island. The Leatherhead is a term used for a firefighter who uses the leather helmet for protection from the hazards we face every day on the streets. The helmet is a sign of who we are, not what we are. You do NOT have to have a leather helmet to be a member of the FOOLS. We are nondenominational, ecumenical, and non-judgmental. We’ll accept you if you wear leather, plastic, pleather or even a euro-helmet. The FOOLS, like the traditional leather helmet, has always existed throughout the Brotherhood of the Fire Service and will continue to grow and flourish as long as there are fires to fight and emergencies to respond to. The FOOLS are about the Brotherhood and tradition that the fire service is based on. When we are in our gear and trying to make our way down the dark smoky hallway, we are all the same. All that matters is that you have my back, and I have yours. We do not care if you are a Chief or a recruit, male or female, the color of your skin, or if you’re big city career or small-town volunteer. All we ask is that you are true to your Brother and Sister firefighter, and to the fire service. The FOOLS are about preserving the tradition and heritage of the fire service and taking care of our Brothers and Sisters. We are involved with fundraisers and charity events. We strongly believe that this part of what being a member of the FOOLS is all about, it is our duty. We here in New England have made donations of tens of thousands of dollars throughout our history. We believe in Pride: In our departments, in our stations, in our apparatus, and in ourselves. We ask of each and every one of you to never, to ever forget those that have gone before us in the line of duty. Because those brave souls have given all, it is up to us to keep them alive in our hearts and our memories. The FOOLS also believe in providing real fire training for real firefighters. We believe that it is our duty to be as well trained as we possibly can. This can only keep us, and our Brothers and Sisters safe on the fire ground. We owe it to ourselves, our Brothers and Sisters, their families, and to the citizens we protect. In New England, our brand is second to none. It is safe to say that we are in a category all by ourselves. We are not a business; we do not profit from our events. We are a fraternal-social organization that is known for delivering quality trainings. That dedication to training is what the New England FOOLS are known for. It is what we use as a medium to project our mission our values and our message to the fire service throughout New England and beyond. None of what we do is done for recognition, for glory, for notoriety. It isn’t done for likes and follows. We train for each other. We train for our Brothers and Sisters. We do our best to bring the latest topics, techniques, and issues to you. Our mission at it’s base is preserving and passing along the traditions of the American Fire Service, and we do that through our events. We understand and appreciate that there are other options out there. They are not competition; as a matter of fact, a number of our instructor cadre teach for state academies and private training companies. Thank you for putting your trust in us to deliver what you may not be able to get from your home Department, or your State Training Academy. God Bless America, and Long Live the FOOLS. WE WILL NEVER FORGET. FTM-PTB-EGH-RFB-KTF-DTRT
