Before entering a fire or accident scene, firefighters are armed with hours of training, learning to rescue victims in dark and dangerous situations.

Despite the training and knowledge of the risks, some rescue workers are unprepared for the emotions that follow after witnessing scenes of death or the injuries of one of their own.

For this reason, some fire companies elect or employ a chaplain — a fire department member or pastor who is able to provide a listening ear or guidance when a firefighter is undergoing stress.

Having served as the chaplain of the Petrolia Volunteer Fire Department for 20 years, Eugene Blair found the position to be a natural progression.

"The older members become counselors for younger firemen," said Blair, who has been a member of the department for 51 years.

Though he is not an ordained minister, Blair said his faith is key in his role, which includes attending funeral services for deceased members and assisting with the installation of new officers.

Since beginning his firefighting career, Blair has seen two members die in the line of duty, but he has not had to respond to such a crisis in his time as chaplain.

"Hopefully we'd like to keep it that way," he said.

Though in good times, the position of chaplain is mostly ceremonial, Chris DeCree, president of the Cranberry Volunteer Fire Company reinstated the position at his company 13 years ago as one way to be prepared for tragedy.

In addition to ceremonial duties, Jim Cole, the company's current chaplain, was involved in creating a Line of Duty Death (LODD) program, establishing a plan for the death of a company member, including counseling other members and informing families.

In speaking with other fire companies who have suffered the loss of members in the line of duty, he observed that many were unprepared to deal with the families, members and communities.

Cole also recalled the loss of three teenage members from the Cranberry Township company in 1981. At the time, the company did not employ a chaplain.

"I think at the time if we had a chaplain, the incident might have been dealt with a little better," he said noting that at the time there was very little discussion about the stress on the other members.

Since Cole has never had any seminary or counseling training, he is currently enrolled in the Fire Service Chaplaincy Program, a correspondence course, another way to help him prepare for the worst.

Offered through the National Fire Protection Association, the course covers topics such as keeping up morale, dealing with line of duty deaths and communicating with the public.

"People get stressed out and chaplains are expected to be the comforters," noted Cole.

DeCree noted that it is a comfort to know a chaplain is available to talk to.

He noted that while there have been no serious accidents with members of his company, Cole volunteers his time to talk with members who are on the scene when a member of another department is injured.

While Cole and Blair turn to their own pastors for advice on how to conduct memorial services, some fire companies turn directly to the church for chaplains with pastoral experience.

In the Harmony Volunteer Fire Department, the Rev. Peter Everett, pastor of the nearby Grace Church in Harmony, serves as the chaplain, extending a community tie that has lasted more than 70 years.

Through his ties with the department, Everett has noticed members who are not otherwise affiliated with a church see him as an outlet to express personal concerns.

Luckily, he said, there have been no serious injuries in the department since 2000, when he took on the role of chaplain.

Despite a lack of firefighting experience, Everett hopes his presence and prayers provide the support the members need.

"By me being at the meetings, I'm therefore a part of the community. If they don't have their own pastor, they may come to me because they already know me," he said.

Like Everett, the Rev. Richard Anschutz of Parker United Presbyterian Church had no firefighting experience to share when he became chaplain of the Parker City Volunteer Fire Department in 2001. Inspired by encouragement of his son and the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, it was also the year he became a fire department member.

In addition to serving with the fire police, Anschutz performs memorial services for retired members who have died, a traditional duty of the department's chaplain.

He also responds to as many fire calls as possible, hoping to be present in case someone needs to talk.

"If they know I'm around, I think that may be helpful."

Though there have been no severe injuries or deaths in his time with the department, Anschutz has learned the importance of his position.

"Firemen are human beings," he said, "and regardless of that tough guy image, they can hurt too."