I started my fire protection career with Capt. Bob McCann as my instructor, teaching me not only the basics, but teaching the confidence you need to do the job under pressure. Bob always (or almost always!) had a smile and a warm greeting for all of us. After 27 years in the fire service with 16 of those being a chief, the seeds that Bob McCann sowed with me resulted in a lot of people living today that otherwise would not have. Unknowingly he touched people in many states in many ways through his teaching and encoragement of one person. Can you imagine what has happened asa result of all of the people he has trained and touched???
As a leader in the federal government now, I look back at my first instructor in the Norton Shores Fire Dept. and know I had one of the best...not because of all of the degrees or big city fire departments he could have been on...but becuase Bob McCann knew people - how to treat people - how to respect people and how to have fun in life. His encouragement is one of the reasons I am where I am today.
As terrorists tried to repeat the anthrax attack of the capitol a few months ago, it was one of Bob McCann's trainees that helped put togther the protocol that prevented a successful attack. And his boys will continue to protect the people of Norton Shores, Michigan, the United States of America and points beyond.
My thoughts and prayers remain with his family. As you hold him in your heart, you know you can be proud of not only the fine work he did, but the fine man that he was.
Lowell##imported-begin##Lowell Black##imported-end##