• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

AlexB23

Christian
CF Ambassadors
Site Supporter
Aug 11, 2023
11,387
7,705
25
WI
✟644,798.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Hello folks. Apparently the Vatican has a fire department, so if the priest is on fire with his sermon and burning with enthusiasm for the Lord Jesus, the department can spray water on the priest, as well as baptize anyone around the church with the hoses. ;)


Discover how the Vatican firefighters work (all ages, 2 min 31 sec)


Video Summary:
The video describes a day in the life of a firefighter serving in the Vatican City, the smallest sovereign state in the world. There are 37 firefighters making up this team, who are required to be available 24/7. These firefighters perform approximately 500 rescues per year, responding to emergencies such as blocked elevators, floods, and any other situations requiring assistance.

The Vatican Fire Department's duties extend beyond typical emergency response, as the firefighters participate in ceremonies involving the Holy Father (the pope) and in St. Peter's Square. One particularly challenging rescue scenario involves rescuing individuals from the top of St. Peter's Dome, which stands almost 450 feet tall and consists of 600 extremely narrow staircases. Rescuing people suffering from dizziness or illness caused by the height can prove difficult in these confined spaces.

Due to the unique nature of firefighter employment, certain requirements must be met for entrance into the Vatican Fire Department. Applicants must be Catholic, under 25 years old, and male; however, it is mentioned that the gender requirement may change in the future. Alessandro Fontanella, who has served for 26 years, explains that what initially drew him to the job was his faith and desire to help others. He finds working among the rich history, art, and culture present in Vatican City truly remarkable.

Throughout service, firefighters may encounter unusual incidents – for instance, a candle setting fire to decorations during a Christmas celebration or an arson incident being investigated. Their patron saints are Saint Barbara and Pope Leo IV, whom legend attributes with putting out significant fires around the Vatican. Although few fires occur today, these firefighters continue to dedicate themselves tirelessly to ensuring security and maintaining peace within the state where the Pope resides.