tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15938515355049228232024-02-20T10:35:11.517-08:00The Fire InsideDedicated to professional development of new fire officers and a return to aggressive, interior firefighting.The Fire Insidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08486289357172219824noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593851535504922823.post-84985347504826086642017-10-31T13:09:00.001-07:002017-10-31T13:09:55.817-07:00Cause For Confusion<span style="font-family: calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The more time I have on the job, the more I learn, and the
more I experience, I can’t help but allow my mind to wander beyond the problems
and difficulties most of us encounter to the bigger picture of their origin. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If knowledge is power, then knowing <i>why </i>something is happening is just as, if not more important than, knowing <i>what </i>is
happening.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We frequently allow ourselves
to become so smothered by the issue itself, we fail to identify our role in
causing or contributing to it.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We also
have a bad habit of allowing misconceptions and assumptions to prevent us from
coming to rational resolutions for very simple problems.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOgsi_DBmdZ_l2P_f99eprWbHrtWYrn9iv3jDUE0YpMvxuBgQCVjhvEyOgIPvgrdr7IJGaeTdPVyQSt9OkVZCV3wZvQuKkYJRV2vAsRfcpB_ATu4gBIyzfRc2z4X7KoEaAlNNopfqCIU/s1600/brass+tacks+and+hard+facts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOgsi_DBmdZ_l2P_f99eprWbHrtWYrn9iv3jDUE0YpMvxuBgQCVjhvEyOgIPvgrdr7IJGaeTdPVyQSt9OkVZCV3wZvQuKkYJRV2vAsRfcpB_ATu4gBIyzfRc2z4X7KoEaAlNNopfqCIU/s320/brass+tacks+and+hard+facts.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: Brass Tacks and Hard Facts)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: calibri; font-size: large;">As my years on the job add up, my desire to not only
identify, but also solve many of our ongoing problems increases.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Talking to people from across the country,
with various backgrounds, from different size departments has led me to know
two things for certain; 1) We all experience similar problems in different ways
and 2) We seem to be inept at solving these problems as they continue to plague
us generation after generation.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>These
realizations have caused to not ask what is going on to <i>why</i> is
it happening?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This approach has led me to
the idea that perhaps many of the conflicts we face within the walls of our
firehouses, and even during incidents to a degree, are based on our current
mentality towards the fire service rather than an actual topic, opinion, or
event.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>What I mean is, could the way we
react to our disputes be more about our psyche than the actual impact of what
is causing our disputes to begin with?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have a premise that our careers are divided into three
very distinct, repetitive segments: 1) We blindly follow the information
presented to us because we are naïve, ignorant, or content.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>2) We challenge EVERYTHING we know, see, and
learn because our experience and education causes conflict between theory and
reality.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>3) We make educated decisions
on our beliefs and focus on not only perfecting them, but also sharing them
with others in an effort to unify our members as well as establish standards
that will result in increased skill, performance, and efficiency.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: calibri; font-size: large;">At face value, your mind has likely classified these 3
distinct<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJShrWcom5Z4doY4Ym3n1ondtWNjChhleLwEDq3WKGtKtzc4iCMnRzYTpCTUEzu5as0hicsifQBeCM0iRRfiFZ0Vq28BZpL4Qmv7XdtjQ2n2x-fy44knRX5Vp5CEbwgljTqpkmPOYDH8/s1600/bhind+the+badge+oc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1024" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJShrWcom5Z4doY4Ym3n1ondtWNjChhleLwEDq3WKGtKtzc4iCMnRzYTpCTUEzu5as0hicsifQBeCM0iRRfiFZ0Vq28BZpL4Qmv7XdtjQ2n2x-fy44knRX5Vp5CEbwgljTqpkmPOYDH8/s320/bhind+the+badge+oc.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: Behind the Badge OC)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
segments into decades we are on the job, ranks or milestones, or some
other similar measure of time, however I don’t think it is that simple.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>For the most part we all assume that our
careers occur on a linear path.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We start
as a probie and learn the basics of the job.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>From there we add a little time, experience, and maybe even some specialties
to our resume as we take on a little responsibility, maybe even becoming a
driver/operator or other special designation.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Finally, we graduate to becoming a senior man, company officer, or chief.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>While this is undeniably the typical path of
professional progression, the problem is that while the promotional ladder is
straight, defined, and generally with very few deviations from what we know and
expect, the thought process that defines our growth and maturation during these
career benchmarks can be anything but.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Therefore, our strategic and tactical beliefs are not necessarily in
line with our pay grade or position, but instead it is how our minds interchange between the three segments which makes subtle changes in our views throughout our careers, resulting in swaying in our opinions or tactics quite regularly.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyCVPtjx7QtNEvaYwEyrIr7MpyDrUjtND04uoa62BaroVr4vIzllF7N_rvJ4oLvzjvqlVwrf-Wzs-hvyJWLfI9Ubk7FWWleEZVXsKCCEifjWKk08l4yAEwzrShfsvtZQnQyNitnyecAyw/s1600/FE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="480" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyCVPtjx7QtNEvaYwEyrIr7MpyDrUjtND04uoa62BaroVr4vIzllF7N_rvJ4oLvzjvqlVwrf-Wzs-hvyJWLfI9Ubk7FWWleEZVXsKCCEifjWKk08l4yAEwzrShfsvtZQnQyNitnyecAyw/s320/FE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: Fire Engineering)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: calibri; font-size: large;">Our training and curriculum fail us by diminishing the importance
of constant growth and neglecting the reality that each step in our career
comes with a new set of “probationary” criterion associated with each position.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It also implants the assumption that our
mental growth, skill level, and tactics are parallel to our position.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In other words, as we move up in rank or
responsibility, our thoughts, opinions, and ideology will grow at the same rate
causing us to believe that our knowledge base is not only as rigid as the rank
structure, but that our thought processes are directly proportional to where we
fall in that structure.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Learning to be a driver/operator, company officer, or Chief is really no different than
learning to become a firefighter except the amount of time and effort we put into
development and education at each step seems to decrease.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Therefore, much of our disappointment and
conflict is caused by assumptions that lead us to believe that knowledge,
information, and competence is equal to rank when in reality this is often very
incorrect.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: calibri; font-size: large;">What if I proposed that our professional growth was actually
an inverse relationship to our rank structure?<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Considering we have new responsibilities at each step, it is fair to say
the higher we go the more we need don’t know and need to learn.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>What if I suggested that our thoughts and
opinions resembled a serpentine more than a straight line?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If experience and knowledge allow us to
analyze our approaches, obviously we will constantly refine and adjust our
theories and tactics as our knowledge bank increases.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This results in learning new skills or trying
new approaches causing us to jump back and forth between student and teacher, even
though our position within the department generally is a one-way path.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>What if were to surmise that our careers were
in a constant state of movement from one segment to the next, but not following
any particular method or specific order.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Would you agree that we can be sure of ourselves one minute, questioning
everything we have ever known the next, and then eager to share our reaffirmed beliefs
only to fall back to questioning everything immediately after?<span style="margin: 0px;"> What if I told you there is no guarantee that each person will experience the three segments I have discussed? Some people never learn to think for themselves or find it necessary to ask why. Some people never make it to teaching because they get stuck challenging things but never arrive at an answer.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="margin: 0px;"></span>New events and results can put us through a
roller coaster of confidence and doubt as we continually seek to improve our
understanding of the job and performance of the mission objectives.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Probation isn’t the only time we will blindly
follow just as making officer isn’t the only time we are qualified to teach
others.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If we really sit down and
analyze how our theories and convictions change over the years based on
practical knowledge, education, and experience rather than rank or position, we
will find that we are constantly changing even if we pretend otherwise.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOOd7f_RaQNGaxstrdMVVSiv0gLHSLxHBd3S3hMzyKXoKK_DBZdWTTxO3Y1IhrwSuiEpG_bBv5OFFEHBidm-nuh53_uMroKdy50mVNTqVobn0QuL9QZl3ctvTEIGV_xENgsRKGLleiVQ/s1600/ffing+in+canada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOOd7f_RaQNGaxstrdMVVSiv0gLHSLxHBd3S3hMzyKXoKK_DBZdWTTxO3Y1IhrwSuiEpG_bBv5OFFEHBidm-nuh53_uMroKdy50mVNTqVobn0QuL9QZl3ctvTEIGV_xENgsRKGLleiVQ/s320/ffing+in+canada.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Firefighting In Canada)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: calibri; font-size: large;">There is no magical formula that equates a certain title or
position to a specific level of competence just as there is no skill set or
tactic that is saved exclusively for those of a certain rank.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As our roles change in our departments, so
does our perspective.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It is that
perspective combined with what we have gone through that forms our opinions.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Most of us come on the job with the
assumption and expectation that those entrusted with leading and developing us
will always have the answers and our best interests at hand.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Some of us experience this while others are
paired with a senior man or officer who doesn’t deserve such a title.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This may cause one firefighter to quickly
transition to questioning things while another goes on for many years before
encountering that phase.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The number of
runs we go on, their severity, our successes, and our failures all have bearing
on how quickly or often we transition from following what we are told to
challenging our former beliefs.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>These
challenges sometimes find us new answers we believe in and want to share, while
other times they help us conclude the strategies we are currently using are accurate
and worth continuing.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: calibri; font-size: large;">Just when we think we have arrived at our convictions and
reached the point in our careers where it is time to share what we think is “the
way”, we may be confronted with a run, transfer, or promotion that once again
forces us to question our thought process.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>This is the very reason those who know the job the best will tell you
the day you stop learning is the day to hang it up.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>However, what we have left out of the
equation is the fact that our views and principles are constantly evolving and can
result in some serious internal struggles and frustrations.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-5sAQeWeW1S48nE6ByWqecvNg2cGawzukOZL_FYNuFeG4K56o1B5J3DLVBDD2jxBe8UoB7C6uTUD3PTCuG8l5Ru2b_VeXIZ5t24T8rHWoVRdbb9f_X7bUpZQxniQBBq4CPE7yPqIWGg/s1600/FE+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="524" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-5sAQeWeW1S48nE6ByWqecvNg2cGawzukOZL_FYNuFeG4K56o1B5J3DLVBDD2jxBe8UoB7C6uTUD3PTCuG8l5Ru2b_VeXIZ5t24T8rHWoVRdbb9f_X7bUpZQxniQBBq4CPE7yPqIWGg/s320/FE+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: Fire Engineering)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: calibri; font-size: large;">If we consider the three segments of our careers as following,
questioning, and teaching and agree that we transition between the three based
on our situations and perspectives, rather than our time or position, we can
now see why we spend so much time arguing with each other over <i>what </i>but fail to
consider <i>why</i>.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As we pool our ideas and
concepts together, we are faced with people who are at different ends of the spectrum
as well as experiencing different segments of their careers.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Maybe a 30-year Chief who is focused on
teaching becomes frustrated with a 5-year man who is questioning rather than
following.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>He doesn’t account for the
fact that what he is so sold on as the right way just caused that 5-year man to
miss a victim or get burned on his last fire.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>His experience tells him different, however maybe this Chief believes our
paths are linear and disregards the feedback because he thinks knowledge is
based only on position.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Perhaps that same
5-year man becomes frustrated because he is in a segment of his career where he
feels that following those above him is the best course of action, yet he is
getting conflicting advice from two company officers, one of which is in a
questioning phase with a particular concept, while the other is in a teaching phase about same idea.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>You can see from these two examples that our
personal evolution as firefighters may be more cause for conflict than the
actual ideas we are debating.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RitSmOrAMF0hfwIqpfmSABi791fPqSDA26wTaN3bHQaSBCo79JcPkohwfHQESVrZdPjLlBJ3WqKzQt9iEYwjjQzWm_1UY_Xkg9DQ9NhIUZgVB5YxdMs8swsEFbTTAZbg9iBOE9v3uy4/s1600/FDTN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="740" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RitSmOrAMF0hfwIqpfmSABi791fPqSDA26wTaN3bHQaSBCo79JcPkohwfHQESVrZdPjLlBJ3WqKzQt9iEYwjjQzWm_1UY_Xkg9DQ9NhIUZgVB5YxdMs8swsEFbTTAZbg9iBOE9v3uy4/s400/FDTN.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: FDTN)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: calibri; font-size: large;">The list of possible scenarios is infinite, but what remains
constant is the fact that if we fail not only to ask, but also UNDERSTAND, why
those we are debating with feel or support a certain way, then we will forever
be griping with each other.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We must
accept that our views and beliefs will constantly change and evolve throughout
our careers, often at rates that are not in line with those who surround us.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Our conclusions are shaped
by not only time, rank, and corresponding responsibilities, but also experience,
education, analysis, practice, data, and the influences of others who are
undergoing the same process.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We need to
focus more on listening, conversing, and discussing issues rather than arguing
or fighting about them.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>There is no
perfect set path or unbending rise in knowledge or stature.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The best at what we do reached that point
because they understood and allowed themselves to grow with the job and
realized that each step on that organizational ladder was not a guarantee of
expertise, but rather a fresh opportunity to challenge and confirm our way of
thinking from a fresh perspective or unique viewpoint.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Due to the diversity of departments, response areas,
equipment, manpower, strategies, and tactics used in our profession, it is highly
unlikely we will ever come to a concrete consensus that will work for every
department.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The sooner we acknowledge this
fact and replace the erroneous concept of linear development with one which
accounts for the many twists and turns we encounter as we continually transform
of our stance on how to best accomplish the mission, the sooner we can quit
griping and start focusing on supporting each other rather than sabotaging each
other.</span></span></div>
The Fire Insidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08486289357172219824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593851535504922823.post-66674644848794729812017-09-18T15:19:00.003-07:002017-09-18T16:42:44.840-07:00Bullies or Babies: Who is to Blame?<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I was recently contacted by a follower of the page who
requested that I tackle bullying in an upcoming article.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">He communicated he was having some difficulty
as a member of a new department and was looking for a little motivation to stay
focused.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">While I am not sure my
perspective on bullying or being a new member of a department for that matter
will help make him feel better, I think this is a topic worthy of some
serious discussion.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICAvLuO4QjpuSKIH6G4m68ElbrNzMszrjOtQ-B8rLmypuv_IJ7pF2G8weQsIQUINUa1XAWczxegC_FgzPArmpIjTY8aC8-ih4IwU2Bj8bX34D7c7oK7W42tWv4pbMx5I5_VkRUiOuFOI/s1600/Resize-881x499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="881" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICAvLuO4QjpuSKIH6G4m68ElbrNzMszrjOtQ-B8rLmypuv_IJ7pF2G8weQsIQUINUa1XAWczxegC_FgzPArmpIjTY8aC8-ih4IwU2Bj8bX34D7c7oK7W42tWv4pbMx5I5_VkRUiOuFOI/s320/Resize-881x499.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: The Mother Company)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Pretty much everything I remember from my childhood is
probably now classified as “bullying”.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">When
I was in school we didn’t have fancy terminology, ad campaigns, or websites to
help us “cope” with being picked on; kids were just kids.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We teased each other, said and did mean things,
formed clicks, got in fights, and made others feel bad about themselves often
for no reason at all.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Our coping
mechanism was ending up on the receiving end of such juvenile
behavior.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">That is where we learned how
it felt to be the victim instead of the aggressor and consequently why we
should be a little more tolerant of others.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Kids policed themselves back then.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">You either learned to ignore the teasing or you stood up for yourself by
giving it right back or having a little fist fight.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Enemies were made, friendships broken, tears
shed, and every now and then a little blood was spilled but eventually we all
got bored with such nonsense and found better ways to spend our time.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">If all else failed the fear of being
disciplined by our parents or teachers (yes younger members, back when most of us “old guys” grew up we were scared of adults) for acting like savages
rather than the well-mannered, productive members of society they were raising
us to be.</span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICAvLuO4QjpuSKIH6G4m68ElbrNzMszrjOtQ-B8rLmypuv_IJ7pF2G8weQsIQUINUa1XAWczxegC_FgzPArmpIjTY8aC8-ih4IwU2Bj8bX34D7c7oK7W42tWv4pbMx5I5_VkRUiOuFOI/s1600/Resize-881x499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="881" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICAvLuO4QjpuSKIH6G4m68ElbrNzMszrjOtQ-B8rLmypuv_IJ7pF2G8weQsIQUINUa1XAWczxegC_FgzPArmpIjTY8aC8-ih4IwU2Bj8bX34D7c7oK7W42tWv4pbMx5I5_VkRUiOuFOI/s320/Resize-881x499.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: The Mother Company)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">According to stopbullying.org, the definition of bullying
is,
“</span><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">unwanted, aggressive behavior among school
aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance.”</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The problem with “bullying” in the
fire service is we are adults operating in a very serious profession where an
actual imbalance of power based on rank, time, experience, and skill does in
fact exist.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Nothing in that definition
describes what I see going on with how people are treated in the fire
service.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This is not grade school,
everyone doesn’t have to like you, you are not entitled to be treated any sort
of way, and in case they aren’t teaching it anymore; LIFE ISN’T FAIR!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">With that being said, we are supposed to be
one of the few professions left that still maintains a brotherhood among its
members, so let’s lose these stupid labels and talk about why new members are
treated the way they are and why it is very necessary in most cases.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">If you regularly follow The Fire Inside and its writings you
know that I am not shy about pointing the finger at those with time on the job
as the cause of many issues plaguing our profession.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This is not because I am some entitled, whiny
kid who thinks the fire service misunderstands younger members but rather
because I think with experience comes responsibility, specifically a responsibility
to maintain and enforce the standards that make our profession great and to
change things when performance or circumstances fall below these standards.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">In the case of “bullying”, or as it will be
referred to from here on out, initiation, the younger members need to
understand that initiating new members properly is one of those
responsibilities.</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXj6MFaTs8qFVmGnXuSwPSDcU3lNDVr99kueUohmW1frQVOiKhLggFGzXUUJDjKsYCCBQsJ3i5yBRcLcAxqghBPVJQTqBOiKeDP2c12yptkPiOqZVtXWdiVvs4IMT8yjYBXoMYeXZkX5c/s1600/StJoe1.jpg.scale.medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="512" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXj6MFaTs8qFVmGnXuSwPSDcU3lNDVr99kueUohmW1frQVOiKhLggFGzXUUJDjKsYCCBQsJ3i5yBRcLcAxqghBPVJQTqBOiKeDP2c12yptkPiOqZVtXWdiVvs4IMT8yjYBXoMYeXZkX5c/s320/StJoe1.jpg.scale.medium.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: Firefighter Nation)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Younger members, I understand your upbringing and the way you
were prepared to enter the workforce is VERY different than how most of us were
brought up.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I understand that you were
told you matter, everyone will respect your opinions, and you are special.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I even understand that my generation is very
much to blame for that because we allowed things to get to this point.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Now, I need you to understand that you have
entered the fire service and when we go to work the things we see and do DON’T
GIVE A SHIT ABOUT YOU!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">That’s right, you
didn’t choose a career in a college classroom, mommy and daddy’s home business,
a safe space, or office cubicle.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">You
chose to become part of the greatest fraternity on earth that will give you
some of the most rewarding, fulfilling, and memorable experiences anyone can
dream of by putting you in the middle of the WORST this world has to
offer.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Maybe you were told about the benefits,
the pay, the cool shirts, or the image that came with this job and while that
looks great on a billboard or recruitment video, it is time you understand and
accept what you have really gotten into.</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QuoarMckr0ouwurFHCtQCUSgfyJR2o6-_8GHBIKkpSVOi5BQLtk5SmC9mGuOQ5AhY9sip43UTCkaZVmv8Gjpr-EQmnAwuP_HGMOhqx9rMpcYhwa6SPQBge0t-HyRkcpeZ6RJONHssns/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QuoarMckr0ouwurFHCtQCUSgfyJR2o6-_8GHBIKkpSVOi5BQLtk5SmC9mGuOQ5AhY9sip43UTCkaZVmv8Gjpr-EQmnAwuP_HGMOhqx9rMpcYhwa6SPQBge0t-HyRkcpeZ6RJONHssns/s320/maxresdefault.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: YouTube/ David Rogers)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">While those of us on the job like to joke and kid around most
of the time, that is simply our defense mechanisms trying to compensate for the
very serious nature of what we do and the toll it takes on us.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This job requires special people of a specific
mindset who have very thick skin.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This
craft is honed and earned through demanding work, deep dedication, sweat equity,
following orders, and constant repetition.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">When done right, it is very different from anything most people have
ever experienced before.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This also means
that the way we induct people into our craft is also very different and at
times confused with harassment rather than preparation.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Our methods may seem peculiar, our attitudes
brash, and the way we treat you will be less than enjoyable at times but I promise you
there is a method to the madness.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">There
will certainly be times where you feel we are trying to intimidate you, things
required of you are less than glamorous, and days you appear to be singled out and tormented.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Sometimes there will be truth those observations, but what is asked
of you is almost always a calculated strategy aimed at your growth as a
firefighter. </span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmg1fH2vH4JMDs_wTJAffCJkMpXYHcJ0XUCwtsNz9zdjrWmhvlIf2cKxCAnro7wcVTaWEm7MUn3qv6U4tNnY1J6uaiCDgZotRY95Tv9yOjwkCKcx3F7WlS7tGVgPso_CaHN_GRls34iIA/s1600/02FDNY_Gear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmg1fH2vH4JMDs_wTJAffCJkMpXYHcJ0XUCwtsNz9zdjrWmhvlIf2cKxCAnro7wcVTaWEm7MUn3qv6U4tNnY1J6uaiCDgZotRY95Tv9yOjwkCKcx3F7WlS7tGVgPso_CaHN_GRls34iIA/s320/02FDNY_Gear.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: Penn State News)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Just like the military, we don’t invite kids (yes at 18-25
years old you are still a kid regardless of what the government tells you)
through our doors and let them figure it out at their own pace or comfort
level.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Although there is a bunch of
bullshit propaganda out there to suggest otherwise, THIS JOB IS STILL ONE OF
THE MOST DANGEROUS WAYS YOU COULD POSSIBLY SPEND YOUR TIME and we (those
entrusted with your development) are here to make sure we teach you how not to
die!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Make no mistake about it, what we do
is combat just of a different nature.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Your
job as a junior member is to shut your mouth, open your eyes, and use your ears
to LEARN how to be a part of your department and this profession.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I know this seems to be contrary to
everything your education and upbringing has taught you until this point in
your life but stay with me, it will make sense soon.</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_q7lzXA41pShMEeCY5oVQycoStkmTzxicMkpmXWvZL6yzwGHnv9MlFYFDCHjlzxv7plngnwi_BMDW4StmezE24xZIvrc_G4YXtk8pemo2xAMBMN1VNGXlOD-WuRkPHawrs-rCUjkv4M/s1600/exchange_days_work_firefighters_c0-188-3304-2114_s885x516.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="885" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_q7lzXA41pShMEeCY5oVQycoStkmTzxicMkpmXWvZL6yzwGHnv9MlFYFDCHjlzxv7plngnwi_BMDW4StmezE24xZIvrc_G4YXtk8pemo2xAMBMN1VNGXlOD-WuRkPHawrs-rCUjkv4M/s400/exchange_days_work_firefighters_c0-188-3304-2114_s885x516.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: Washington Times)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Many of you will show up at your firehouses only to find
that you are expected to do basically EVERYTHING while most of the other guys
get to do as they please.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Sure, on the
surface this probably seems unfair, but remember earlier in this blog I told
you life isn’t fair.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The other members
will probably find fault with what you do (even if it is done right), they will
pick on you, tease you, yell, scream, cuss, and all sorts of other things aimed at
getting under your skin.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This is a
process that is used to see how you react to stress because what we do almost
ALWAYS involves stress.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">It is also a
rite of passage.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">They want to see what
you are made of, how far they can push you, how you react when you are uncomfortable,
if you can follow orders, if you are going to break down when it gets hard, and
if you will ask questions when you don’t know what to do.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">They want to learn your strengths and your
weaknesses to form the most efficient developmental plan for you. </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Everyone else in that firehouse should have
endured something similar and realized the importance it had on their
career.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">They are paying it forward by
taking their experience, polishing it just a bit, and giving it back to you so
that one day you can do the same.</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUl0btNn35qM_AY3bkyp8_Zn6nS1nTmOWqqrLDSLPnqGPRZgUEp2p3_h7tcpSaV25P5pTKKi2goGqUIZjyr-SAscWv4aizehr4LPxQOUcsytWKEZsJ304cH_8jCmbW5Bsfya2sVzXxBw/s1600/1507FE_SilvernailPhoto1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="450" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUl0btNn35qM_AY3bkyp8_Zn6nS1nTmOWqqrLDSLPnqGPRZgUEp2p3_h7tcpSaV25P5pTKKi2goGqUIZjyr-SAscWv4aizehr4LPxQOUcsytWKEZsJ304cH_8jCmbW5Bsfya2sVzXxBw/s320/1507FE_SilvernailPhoto1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: Fire Engineering)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Even for those of you who aren’t kids and have decided to
start with a new department, this still applies to you.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Every department has SOMETHING about its
policies, procedures, geography, response area, equipment, or apparatus that is
different from your Firefighter I class or previous department.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Having been through this already, you should
know that if you do what is asked of you, your time to contribute will surely
come.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Quite frankly if you are starting
over at a new department and any of what I am saying is a new revelation for
you than you really need to pay attention because you missed basically the
entire essence of your probationary period wherever the hell you came from!</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVYphXa_0kYpvEUpOr81zFwyFDVisyECBXrAAuBY-_6jvkKjhoW_o8wksJ-mvJPkDPVuGpx-BQd2PmyoZLLD-E5j1fg3yyBoBoV3cXskigvFzQ4JG-3ujKHGmQrgBK9LNkwC3nWjJOu0/s1600/screen-shot-2017-05-19-at-6-32-18-am.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="770" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVYphXa_0kYpvEUpOr81zFwyFDVisyECBXrAAuBY-_6jvkKjhoW_o8wksJ-mvJPkDPVuGpx-BQd2PmyoZLLD-E5j1fg3yyBoBoV3cXskigvFzQ4JG-3ujKHGmQrgBK9LNkwC3nWjJOu0/s400/screen-shot-2017-05-19-at-6-32-18-am.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: WHNT)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Now for the senior men and company officers, you aren’t
getting off that easy.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I am on your side
with this issue.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I think that these kids
need some thicker skin.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I think the
politicians, counselors, and human rights activists need to step aside and let
us do our thing (within reason) on this front.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Being initiated into a fire department is certainly not for everyone and
is impossible to understand for someone has never gone through it.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Nevertheless, we must be mindful of HOW we
initiate our new members and our PLAN for how it will take place.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We can’t push brotherhood and then have our
go to tactic for welcoming new members involve ignoring, shitting on,
and demeaning them.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">They aren’t the only
ones who get one chance at a first impression, you are held to that standard as
well.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We were all new once even though many of us seem to conveniently forget this fact when we are finally the ones
receiving the new member.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">They are
scared, excited, eager, and GREEN.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">They
don’t know what they don’t know yet.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">They are usually fearless, fast paced, and dying to prove their
worth.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Even the ones who don’t seem
motivated are just waiting for an officer to figure out what buttons to push
that will make them go.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Simply raining
on their parade to project your might is a foolish and gutless tactic.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">If you actually earned the rank and/or position that placed
the development of a new member at your fingertips I shouldn’t be telling you
anything new.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I know many of us went
through some less than pleasurable experiences coming on the job, but that doesn’t
mean we should necessarily subject our new members to all of them.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Focus on the things you feel had the biggest
impact on you.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Incorporate the methods
that you feel shaped you the most.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Find
a style that still allows them to prove themselves, but not at the cost of
their self-worth.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Remember, the goal of
initiation is to verify skills, set standards and expectations, build self-confidence,
gauge and establish appropriate stress reactions, and to build comradery.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">That doesn’t mean you can’t yell, tease, have
fun, or be passionate, it simply means the goal is to educate not humiliate.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">While you are not there to be their friend, you
cannot be their leader if they don’t respect you and that has to be earned.</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOoybaYpQdtWfrfsVjKhXHFmLPuY3Z2CGo6pxPLMKo1eB4LVD7Cy1bnVG1xMK9eLVbFw7wb60U9bvnC0QxTewXb89Rq4kRy7BkgiCJivTgzgqEXL2rH4S1n0B32qUnu4ybs5TzU5ZkGjU/s1600/rbz-911-Remembrance-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="929" data-original-width="1440" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOoybaYpQdtWfrfsVjKhXHFmLPuY3Z2CGo6pxPLMKo1eB4LVD7Cy1bnVG1xMK9eLVbFw7wb60U9bvnC0QxTewXb89Rq4kRy7BkgiCJivTgzgqEXL2rH4S1n0B32qUnu4ybs5TzU5ZkGjU/s400/rbz-911-Remembrance-12.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: photoblog.statesman.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Also remember that there needs to be a time period where the
initiation is considered over.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Many
departments are stagnant these days with few promotions or hires (new members).</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">You can’t expect someone to be the “new guy”
for the indefinite future because no one is coming on behind them.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">There should be a very defined gauge of when
and what decides if they have proven themselves worthy of being considered a
normal member of the crew.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Maybe it is
when their probation is over, maybe it is when they obtain a certain
certification, or maybe it is a predetermined number of months from when they
came on.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Regardless of the benchmark, we
must identify a set of circumstances that determines whether or not they meet
standards and the path that accompanies each outcome.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Now, it should be noted there are people out there who are
just jerks.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Again, as I have already
stated life is not fair.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">However, there
is a big difference between being initiated and being hazed. </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">There is an extreme disparity between breaking
someone down to show superiority and breaking someone down so you can build them
back up.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Every department has assholes
who’s only skill is treating new guys like complete shit.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Senior men and company officers need to
police these clowns and ensure they NEVER become someone’s impression of our
departments.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Junior members you will
figure out who these people are soon enough.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The best way to stop them is to avoid giving them the reaction they
desire.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">When they stop getting a rise
out of you, eventually they will move on to someone who is actually scared of their
childish crap.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Remember, you should
always respect the rank but that does not guarantee you will respect the person.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Know your role, be respectful, and refer
conduct that borders on harassment up the chain of command.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Do what is asked of you and stand up for
yourself when needed.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Being respectful
doesn’t mean getting run over.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Anyone
who tells you contrary is one of the afore mentioned assholes.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Oddly enough, initiation has surely changed over the
years.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I hear about people being upset because they were
yelled at, teased, made fun of, called a bad name, pulled aside and
corrected, or disliked how their company officer taught something.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Hey, at least they are talking to you!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">When I came on the older crowd just looked at
me and sized me up.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">It was MONTHS of
coming around, doing what was asked of me, and coming back before someone
actually “talked” to me.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Conversation,
chores, and extra duties were a sign that you were being accepted, not harassed.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">So toughen up a little bit boys and girls. </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Before you go crying about how you are being
treated, be happy you were even afforded the privilege to be on the department
in the first place.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Give it a little
time.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Yes, there are bad people and bad
situations out there but you need more than 2 weeks in the department to figure
that out.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Give people a chance to show
you their reasoning.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Give their methods
time to come full circle.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Most
importantly, give them time to build you back up.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">If you still feel you are being mistreated
than you have inadvertently found the most noble calling in our profession, the
chance to make it better for the next guy…</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Act accordingly! </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdLWLFDYrWTZWw1v8f8QEITNne_MOz8Hci_pRwuCFEUZv4zGJ9yMmPogidPKwlcHNPEoEGg_9QObOE_hrO6EEjsvGRpcNs8pFRYS7I3cHeu_si4sRs_2ExcqmEZotzf0oJXuJyjTcQ2g/s1600/firefighters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="580" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdLWLFDYrWTZWw1v8f8QEITNne_MOz8Hci_pRwuCFEUZv4zGJ9yMmPogidPKwlcHNPEoEGg_9QObOE_hrO6EEjsvGRpcNs8pFRYS7I3cHeu_si4sRs_2ExcqmEZotzf0oJXuJyjTcQ2g/s400/firefighters.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: New Britain City Journal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Fire departments bring people together from many walks of
life who normally wouldn’t have crossed paths.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">They come from different backgrounds, ethnic groups, and regions of the
country.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">They have different morals,
ethics, values, ideas, personalities, needs, strengths, and weaknesses.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Inevitably these differences will bring
personality conflicts with them.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Sometimes people just can’t get along.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Sometimes people just plain don’t like each other.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Don’t confuse such incompatibilities with “bullying”,
“hazing”, “intimidation”, or “harassment”.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">It is perfectly normal for people to not get along.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The difference for the fire service needs to
be a mutual respect for the mission and for the brotherhood which must bond us
when times get rough.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">However, this is
not an open invitation to whine and cry every time someone tells you something
you don’t want to hear, shuns you, or doesn’t like you.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We are adults who are brave enough to enter
some pretty untenable environments yet we are running to taddle-tail on the “mean”
guy who cussed at us or told us we suck.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Come on guys and gals, let’s grow up a little and act like adults!</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></div>
The Fire Insidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08486289357172219824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593851535504922823.post-13371940250256779052017-08-08T14:46:00.003-07:002017-08-08T15:24:43.277-07:00Climate Change<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTk4rPyVwG5f_RNsFUG54ja69bWjR7g3L4uBnC6joMAkrYqbQsnp334UHTL_MmIw2LMYkRLckW880bdwB5iF2UIA_pnokYgqzudpsjaRw3U5kvSuRJquAd5FWKDcCChYIMzGMgldWswPg/s1600/Zimmerman+Media+CC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTk4rPyVwG5f_RNsFUG54ja69bWjR7g3L4uBnC6joMAkrYqbQsnp334UHTL_MmIw2LMYkRLckW880bdwB5iF2UIA_pnokYgqzudpsjaRw3U5kvSuRJquAd5FWKDcCChYIMzGMgldWswPg/s400/Zimmerman+Media+CC.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
(Photo: Zimmerman Media LLC)</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I have never understood why we develop requirements which
are sold as “industry standards”, yet we choose to lead, run, and plan our
departments based on often outdated traditions and customs which are quite commonly
direct contradictions of such “standards”.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The fact that the fire service as a whole is governed by a set of “recommendations”
which are KNOWN to be unachievable and impractical for many fire departments
across the country should be the first sign that we are promoting ideology
rather than reality.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Instead of working
on realistic plans and options for meeting these standards, we defensively spout
off sayings and half-truths about how our way is better, the curriculum doesn’t
work for a department like ours, the people who made them don’t know how things
really are, or we must teach it to satisfy some type of funding or legal “requirement”
even though we have no intention of applying said knowledge.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We teach and educate one way, then penalize
our people for performing, citing, and using this information in the street.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Telling recruits to learn things one way for
the test but they will learn the “real” way when they go to their company is
baffling to say the least.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We are so afraid
of change that we literally waste months of both instructor and student time and
create habits that will now need to be overcome by teaching things we KNOW will
not be done the way we have taught them!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This disconnect is the very foundation of the constant quarrels and
disputes which divide our departments and eat up valuable time in our day.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqShwLsLNXA_WeBB8m2ittQodf9hBtoI4OPphgWZkDnyxY7cBfyvlrVLzA_-rB7ewQ38HrRpedfMJPKW9ssEc8655B1yU6jDiPFyRJ8O56FUDqBZZ0rqN0Gp9ymk0MTZGFyjU5VVfRYQ/s1600/nationalmemo.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="716" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqShwLsLNXA_WeBB8m2ittQodf9hBtoI4OPphgWZkDnyxY7cBfyvlrVLzA_-rB7ewQ38HrRpedfMJPKW9ssEc8655B1yU6jDiPFyRJ8O56FUDqBZZ0rqN0Gp9ymk0MTZGFyjU5VVfRYQ/s320/nationalmemo.com.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: Nationalmemo.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Leadership is certainly a topic which this phenomenon has a
firm grasp on.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">There is no shortage of advice
out there regarding change, leadership, and their opposition.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Most is filled with fancy catch phrases,
acronyms, strategies, goals, and wisdoms that are designed to motivate the
reader or student but tend to have little actual follow through in the real
world.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Most departments require classes
and certifications which specifically address these topics as preparatory steps
to becoming an officer.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">While such
advice is generally well intentioned and educational, the fact of the matter is
much of it is a theory rather than a reality.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This idealistic approach to leading and running a fire department forms
quite the conundrum for the average firefighter who is trying to improve their
department from the ground up as the strategies they were taught for leading
and affecting change frequently come up short.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I believe it is this flaw in officer development that leads many to the
darkness of failure, exhaustion, fear, and depression which generally accompany
the slap in the face of being let down by your training.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I try to keep up with these strategies which come to us in
many forms these days including formal education, in-service training,
conferences, trade magazines, books, and social media.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I do this because as much as I have been
taught about leadership in my life, I am still searching for the answer of how
to make the way it “should be” and reality the same thing.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The goal of my crusade is not to necessarily
form a brand, but rather form strategies that can be used realistically in your
firehouse rather than idealistically on a test or essay.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Unfortunately, as leadership has become a higher
priority topic, the space has become overcrowded with those who are just
regurgitating information they came across in the various outlets and trying to
brand it as their own.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Although many of
the existing strategies are sound and practical, their implementation remains
troublesome because they do not account for the favorites, buddies, and
exceptions which infest the status quo that “leadership” has become.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I attribute this specific lack of accountability
to be the main reason firefighters become discouraged and eventually
abandon their department, or the fire service altogether!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5s0J0XxyhCMW-3-eeM3r7tw9x23AmPeKHoB8FhE6EGRfpC0DWUmUHnz3r4hpfBZiuB3wcaN0lN70Ys_DIaj5Zz18riu6s8fYMbmTfm7FbRL-pCO3MrxCOe_JEaJFdJ7P8kn2tX0qJ22k/s1600/lowcountry+firefighter+support+team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="500" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5s0J0XxyhCMW-3-eeM3r7tw9x23AmPeKHoB8FhE6EGRfpC0DWUmUHnz3r4hpfBZiuB3wcaN0lN70Ys_DIaj5Zz18riu6s8fYMbmTfm7FbRL-pCO3MrxCOe_JEaJFdJ7P8kn2tX0qJ22k/s400/lowcountry+firefighter+support+team.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: Low Country Firefighter Support Team)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I get so upset when I read articles by very influential people
in the fire service that suggest giving up on a person or department is a “selfish”
action.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Jumping ship at the first sign
of difficulty and continuously banging your head against the wall to the point
you have become lost are vastly different situations.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Even though we are in an occupation that is
centered around solving problems at all costs and never quitting, I think it is
inappropriate to make people believe that treating the internal politics of a
fire department and the emergencies we mitigate as one in the same.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We are lying when we pretend there never
comes a time to throw in the towel.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Whether you are dealing with other employees, a particular station, or
the department as a whole there is a tipping point that occurs when you have
exhausted all of your options, strategies, and tactics to change, compromise,
or rectify something that you do not agree with.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This tipping point is the difference between
your ability to cope and being in a situation which is not conducive to a
positive outcome.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">For some people, this
limit comes early on and for some it can take years, even decades to show its
ugly face.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Many never even experience
such conditions and enjoy long, wonderful careers in the same station or department.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Regardless of if or when it happens,
identifying you have hit the point of no return is crucial to maintaining your
productiveness, passion, and mental health!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Culture is defined as "the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group." In other words, the traditions and events that shaped your station or department into what it is today are its culture. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We
are constantly bombarded with the fact that the “culture” of our fire
department affects the way we do things.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We are being led to believe that the solution to every flaw, failure,
and defeat lies in changing this culture.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Well I am here to tell you, trying to sell cultural change as an
individual or extremely limited minority is not an easy path.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Even the strongest, most motivated individuals
will find themselves questioning their abilities when they fire the first shot
in a cultural war that the majority does not want, whether it is needed or not.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">There is a huge difference between the rank
and file collectively taking on an oppressive administration and an individual
taking on the culture of the entire department.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">In some cases, the culture may not even the problem, but rather that
culture is not right for a particular person!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Right, wrong, or indifferent the REALITY is you probably will not
succeed, and if you do it will be at such a high cost to your personal
reputation and passion that it probably won’t be worth it in the end
anyways.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I understand that is not what
you have been taught or led to believe, but it is the truth.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">However, there is another option for those who are faced with
situations where cultural change seems to be nothing short of impossible and
that is a climate change.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I am not
talking about the climate change being hammered on by politicians and
scientists, but rather seeking a departmental climate that is more in line with
your values, desires, and principles. Climate is defined as "the prevailing attitudes, standards, or environmental conditions of a group, period, or place. Firefighting is no different than weather in that certain parts of the country have different fire service climates. Fire departments are similar but different in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Deep South, Midwest, and West partially because their of their cultures, but mainly because their landscapes, resources, threats, and attitudes are different. There are even different climates within the same regions. You may find departments in the same state or even stations in a larger department that have different climates! Not every place drinks the same Kool Aid, ignores standards and requirements, or tries to beat to their own drum. Contrary to what you are led to believe, there may be a better fit for you somewhere else. There isn't necessarily anything wrong with you if you don't fit in with your current assignment or department, you may just need to find somewhere that is more in tune with your specific beliefs, aptitudes and passions!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAETIue904Po7SKG6S8uoKT_055KGYA589eZXHFJXC_Mp-clg8lUbxWYEHMILGAwn7WxGAFFBgggJUxNpPKwZKrefC2LqJYQZhibyKMxrQ5LBk3uo95WfwhMIldVDPXn7bwTubYp3kvI/s1600/the+mighty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="640" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAETIue904Po7SKG6S8uoKT_055KGYA589eZXHFJXC_Mp-clg8lUbxWYEHMILGAwn7WxGAFFBgggJUxNpPKwZKrefC2LqJYQZhibyKMxrQ5LBk3uo95WfwhMIldVDPXn7bwTubYp3kvI/s400/the+mighty.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: themighty.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Being a member of a fire department, volunteer or career, is
the same as any other relationship or investment in life.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">You were attracted to or viewed it as
something that would produce a positive return in your life and got involved
with it.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">However just like people,
houses, vehicles, or finances, life changes and the conditions of those changes
are not always conducive to maintaining the initial plan.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Whether we outgrow something, our values or
interests change, the original choice no longer makes us happy, or we are
simply interested in exploring other options, we must constantly analyze the
pros and cons of maintaining or deviating from our current situation.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Sometimes we must have faith in the value of
our long-term investments, </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">sometimes we
need to change the terms stipulations of them, sometimes it is our personal
expectations which need adjustment, and under the most drastic of circumstances
we may be forced to withdrawal what we can, cut our losses, and commit
ourselves to a new venture.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I am by no means advocating that anyone who is unhappy with their
current station, department, or the fire service in general should immediately
resort to finding a new place to call home but rather challenging the idea that
removing yourself from a situation that you view as hopeless after endless
attempts to remedy it is somehow selfish or cowardly. </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">There are far too many brothers and sisters pouring
their passion into stations and departments who are getting ZERO return on
their investment and end up so beat down and defeated they simply quit without
actually resigning.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Sadly, they turn
into the placeholders they have resented their whole career because they are
simply out of fight as they try to wait things out until retirement.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Rather than sacrifice their passion and
drive, why not simply try to find a new home that can nurture and restore it?</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXym-0HpcJOsyU_FyA53xwQhV0H5RLpN6tm-SaiV-JPoLxHupe6vScVlp0WWQW6Zc8YcqF-0BIdWIW6J66yr9Pv5RuRyICGd2E8UMYa69tnyOauqTc-lhGsTzNKfXfF9qkrxaIPZB2JOI/s1600/Newswire.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="957" data-original-width="1600" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXym-0HpcJOsyU_FyA53xwQhV0H5RLpN6tm-SaiV-JPoLxHupe6vScVlp0WWQW6Zc8YcqF-0BIdWIW6J66yr9Pv5RuRyICGd2E8UMYa69tnyOauqTc-lhGsTzNKfXfF9qkrxaIPZB2JOI/s320/Newswire.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: Newswire)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Sometimes we all need a new beginning whether it be a transfer,
new assignment, different department, or a completely new career. </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Even though such changes will all come with a
risk, we must consider any option that protects our sanity.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Simply hanging around because we are too
scared or proud to find something that is better for us hurts our department
more than helps it!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> You are NEVER too invested in something to back out. </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Certain places and
situations are good fit for some and not for others.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Just because most thrive in a particular setting
does not mean everyone will.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">If a single
situation was right for everyone, there wouldn’t be options in life.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Make sure you are choosing the option that
best fits you as your value to the agency is lost when you are operating based on fear,
resentment, and anger.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">There is
something to be learned from every situation, good or bad.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">While a different climate may not end up
being a good fit either, entering a point of no return offers such a low
probability of transformation it is more than worth the risk.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Your aim should always be to improve yourself,
your crew, and your department, but if all else fails and you are unable to
find peace in your current environment there is no shame in seeking a better
climate for you!</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>The Fire Insidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08486289357172219824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593851535504922823.post-20111909257494332872017-07-20T10:37:00.000-07:002017-07-20T10:55:13.208-07:00Mental Exhaustion<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWD63H6FnQyNJ-Icu-74YLRoE3QYHH0RW3Lt1-Fuf9SZkJzlJxDKvgi1DpBIQyADZOWUFEvJCSu-K9lRUxrPvOFB_p6tMsfeAR0U5JSeikboZpJE0bbD41T7rwTJZQbMM3sduD-UhYTmg/s1600/firechief+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWD63H6FnQyNJ-Icu-74YLRoE3QYHH0RW3Lt1-Fuf9SZkJzlJxDKvgi1DpBIQyADZOWUFEvJCSu-K9lRUxrPvOFB_p6tMsfeAR0U5JSeikboZpJE0bbD41T7rwTJZQbMM3sduD-UhYTmg/s320/firechief+2.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: FireChief.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Exhaustion is defined as “a state of extreme physical or mental
fatigue” and “the action or state of using something up or being used up
completely.”</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">While many perceive
exhaustion as negative, there are many cases in our profession where being
exhausted is directly tied to the effort, accomplishments, and situations you
experienced during a tour.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">There is
something to be said for how you feel after putting in a good day’s work,
regardless of how taxing it was on you.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">However, that is a far cry from the ugly side of exhaustion which
passionate individuals seem to be prone too, especially on a cumulative basis.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Mental exhaustion is the silent killer of
passion and drive.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">When we become so
overwhelmed and frustrated that our minds drain us of our energy, we are
victims of this often ignored, non-macho Achilles heel of the fire
service.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">There are certain issues, events, and situations we face
that have<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCDWuYkGng5GAV1ZDpqSeqT2TsEkmP61VZIaZt2j9ENF8wwg_IpeZVcbE6i_MOqXlzR_bDqO_14rWtCFUd0dU_GHJDA1BU6oV7GM2BBXH8J_ZldseV6RGXw4L80E3dJkeAyDmVveB41k/s1600/eastpdxnews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="598" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCDWuYkGng5GAV1ZDpqSeqT2TsEkmP61VZIaZt2j9ENF8wwg_IpeZVcbE6i_MOqXlzR_bDqO_14rWtCFUd0dU_GHJDA1BU6oV7GM2BBXH8J_ZldseV6RGXw4L80E3dJkeAyDmVveB41k/s320/eastpdxnews.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: EastPDXNews)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
no solution, otherwise we wouldn’t be experiencing them in the first
place.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Even worse, there frequently is a
viable “solution”, yet for often trivial reasons it does not seem to work for
us or our agencies.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">It is these times
where we simply need to vent our feelings and frustrations, as bottling them up
magnifies the issues and takes its toll on us.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">However, that venting process can be much easier said than done.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Normally I pride myself in presenting a solution for every
problem I write about or discuss; this will not be one of those ventures.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This commentary is going to be more personal
than general as writing seems to be how I ventilate the infernos which rage in
my mind.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I try to avoid such
undertakings because they make me feel weak and selfish.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I would much rather talk about “we” or “them”
any day of the week.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">And while I focus
on talking about “we” more than “me”, this is going to be one of those rare
times where the writing focuses on me in attempt to free you from the demons
which haunt and attack your passion.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">You could definitely say I have things pretty good in life.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I am <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-L-ASH03k7hjFAn7uL0IsmRRTxidvrxonUe8d5Y-3ItFd34B5MRVb8x19BNetPA1YYnA6DQWJLN1jifmYnEORR3Md54JvzbasN2XGP3JfaIskwdYPFYpM4-6UKN4DdYMDq-xfyqKa2XM/s1600/fire+engineering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-L-ASH03k7hjFAn7uL0IsmRRTxidvrxonUe8d5Y-3ItFd34B5MRVb8x19BNetPA1YYnA6DQWJLN1jifmYnEORR3Md54JvzbasN2XGP3JfaIskwdYPFYpM4-6UKN4DdYMDq-xfyqKa2XM/s320/fire+engineering.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: Fire Engineering)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
certainly rich in many ways including family,
friends, career, and possessions.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I have
people that care for me, a job I am infatuated with, and much more than I need
or deserve.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I even seem to have a little
bit of a voice these days thanks to my social media endeavors.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">However, like many “successful” people, I am
tormented by my desire to keep pushing the envelope, chasing perfection I know
I will never achieve.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Even though I am
extremely appreciative for what I have been given and accomplished, I often
find myself wondering who I am, what I am doing, and if my passion for the fire
service is really worth it.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I struggle
to maintain an identity as my theories and beliefs are attacked on a daily
basis.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I also wonder how much longer my
mind can shoulder the burden of the plentiful opposition which seeks to destroy
me.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">In an occupation that has identified
the stresses induced by what we see and do on calls, we certainly continue to
ignore the unnecessary stress we put on each other!</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4GP5xFt2VFT4fD5nx80Lo6olW9JL3_7LQSx0rXKuKWwT1f_Min8M_4fw6Tiiim3Gj9QHLclWjXlsl6rKtqz355e5VF7u1Pk-W6xXO5pebb-og968fWQoCpiO6FEk8CJLtsQ2yejJ__s/s1600/tjhamiltonvisuals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="1600" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4GP5xFt2VFT4fD5nx80Lo6olW9JL3_7LQSx0rXKuKWwT1f_Min8M_4fw6Tiiim3Gj9QHLclWjXlsl6rKtqz355e5VF7u1Pk-W6xXO5pebb-og968fWQoCpiO6FEk8CJLtsQ2yejJ__s/s400/tjhamiltonvisuals.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo:TJHamiltonVisuals)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">While I agree that we should always be thankful for the
things we have, especially when we have it better than most, I do not believe
that is an excuse to accept less than you are capable of or stop trying to
improve. </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Some may call that greed, I
however call it motivation. </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I
specifically apply this concept to the fire service as our quests to acquire and
achieve more are frequently shot down with justifications that involve
comparisons to what other departments do or do not have.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I refuse to buy into this line of thinking as
we are responsible to our citizens, our families, and our brothers at all
costs.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">That means we should always
strive to give the best possible service which is completely unrelated to
whether or not we have it better than most.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Such ideology threatens the very core of our craft which is the ability
to protect life and property. </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">However,
with the ever-growing pool of lazy, content, complacent, and mediocre bodies confined
to the walls of our firehouses, too many have forgotten that we are tasked with
serving the public, not ourselves!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PzW0J4urTxJj0zewjF7667wsgc9LdLftnWVpw3lK2UIbIybuDPCrNjuQG8zk_a4ytqN2ppi7q6r5tq6-m6HUN0t6WNP9fBfXXOON_JxUrhYWFG78J80yTEHwU18GdWZQJav5JWgY2kU/s1600/Fire+Cheif%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PzW0J4urTxJj0zewjF7667wsgc9LdLftnWVpw3lK2UIbIybuDPCrNjuQG8zk_a4ytqN2ppi7q6r5tq6-m6HUN0t6WNP9fBfXXOON_JxUrhYWFG78J80yTEHwU18GdWZQJav5JWgY2kU/s320/Fire+Cheif%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: FireChief.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">My main flaw, and that of most passionate people for that
matter, is I lack the ability to give in to things I disagree with, ESPECIALLY
when it comes to our craft.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I am not
talking about being stuck in my ways, unwilling to compromise, or unable to
adapt.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I am talking about being
dismissed, ignored, and flat out put down for pushing things that I KNOW are
right.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I don’t know they are right
because I came up with them, rather I know they are right because they are the
consensus of the instructors, leaders, peers, and departments I admire, follow,
and interact with.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">However, when you are
trying to affect change on people or in organizations which don’t see any
shortfalls or deficiencies because they are content, you will often find out
what being an “army of one” is all about!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The more you push, the harder they will push back.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The more you are attacked, the more emotion
you tie to your fight.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Before you know
it, you are backed into a dark corner of your mind where you feel trapped and
helpless.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">You are unable to shake the
feelings of failure, inferiority, and disappointment.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The fallout of such interactions is stress,
doubt, tension, disgust, hatred, confusion, hesitation, and exhaustion which
invade everything you do creating a quick sand effect which will rapidly sink
your efforts.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4batLGd7lI7zJ-2vMspIMQrG1QN6Zvt1QBeoWktUUrt223QqlIsBtHMZwLCAdkuH4vo8rh80HtAIb2XH5GpYwoek9HoUljmaGiYl0yxG86sfl3qCgOswTMKhJ29okuFpyDkSbDmGYKY/s1600/shuttershock%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="852" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4batLGd7lI7zJ-2vMspIMQrG1QN6Zvt1QBeoWktUUrt223QqlIsBtHMZwLCAdkuH4vo8rh80HtAIb2XH5GpYwoek9HoUljmaGiYl0yxG86sfl3qCgOswTMKhJ29okuFpyDkSbDmGYKY/s400/shuttershock%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: Shuttershock)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Although we can sit here and pretend and discuss that
importance of pressing on, we regularly experience “bumps” in the road, which
would be better described as glaciers or mountains in most cases.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">These unwelcome formations make you feel like
they are easy to chip away at while doing so will get you nowhere, further
draining you of your drive and resolve.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We will push, push, and push some more until one day we wake up and for
the moment we are DEFEATED!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We can lose
sleep, become restless, stop eating, avoid others, or even have trouble
focusing on things.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I have noticed that
I begin to feel worn out all the time.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Even after a slow tour or a couple days off my body just doesn’t want to
go.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Exercise, interaction, chores,
projects, or any other diversion seem to compound the issue.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I find myself sitting around staring, spacing
out, and watching the world pass by.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">It
is hard to get motivated at work, let alone accomplish anything that resembles
passion or progress.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Sure, there are
little bursts of hope mixed in, but they are short lived to say the least.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">These are what I attribute to the downfalls
of not being able to shut your mind off to reboot!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I strive to keep my page, my writing, and my opinions
realistic.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">That means I aim to talk
about what is real, rather than what is idealistic.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">There are just far too many people and places
pushing out a rhetoric that is not achievable or possible for the environments
most of us work in.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Some might argue the
same about The Fire Inside, yet I think I do a pretty good job of keeping
things down to earth.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I am very open and
honest about the fact that much of what I discuss is not possible at every department,
or my own for that matter. </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">However, the
values and strategies I talk about are most certainly realistic if people would
get away from putting themselves before the organization.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">In an era of dumbed down, over-simplified
garbage I like to think that even if you cannot enact the types of things I
discuss, you are at least able to work them into your strategic plans should
you be given the opportunity to be put into a position that you can make
change from!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-o4K-Lo3nnTCYvsCWHCBdoIAVwG0jwYhkxPF-KhChkx-ALWj5tloG3wYi5ty0dwroXa4JA69LpUyODL4nfkTTuZTe5aL30xN-zn4Tat5liDiLM64lcgE9SL1Mmlgtd4hf81cB7s6AljE/s1600/About+Firefighter+Jobs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="550" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-o4K-Lo3nnTCYvsCWHCBdoIAVwG0jwYhkxPF-KhChkx-ALWj5tloG3wYi5ty0dwroXa4JA69LpUyODL4nfkTTuZTe5aL30xN-zn4Tat5liDiLM64lcgE9SL1Mmlgtd4hf81cB7s6AljE/s400/About+Firefighter+Jobs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: About Firefighter Jobs)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">You will meet lots of people who say I am negative.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">There may be some truth to that, however I
believe if your people are being perceived as negative, perhaps you should consider
whether or not you are providing them with an environment to be positive
about.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Most in the fire service don’t
need shiny new rigs, the latest and greatest gadgets, or a wall full of
citations to feel good about what they do.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">What they need, and WANT, is supportive leadership that is open and
accountable across the board.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Most of us
just have a desire to feel like we matter, just a little bit, in this calling
that is far bigger than any one of us individually.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We want to be needed, appreciated, and
listened to now and then.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The fire
service does a wonderful job of painting a fictional world of fire service
leadership where there are the coveted “open door policies”, pots full of
change which “boil from the bottom”, and “servant leaders” who put their crews
first, yet where exactly is all this happening on a larger scale?!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I know they are out there but I think for the
most part people feel good about repeating these strategies rather than
implementing them!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Call me negative, but
I interact with quite a few people on a daily basis that are asking the same
question, so if you ask me that makes such ideas more fantasy than reality.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I read, hear, and see the complete OPPOSITE
of such fantasies playing out across the country every day.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">For everyone department that actually tries
to apply these leadership approaches, there are 100 more who are demanding
compliance through fear and intimidation!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">So, if you don’t want our opinions or trust us enough to identify what
we need to accomplish the mission, stop requiring us to take classes which
teach us that our input is wanted and needed by those above us!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">So much of what I perceive to be the problems
of the fire service right now are teaching one thing and then expecting
another, or worse something COMPLETELY DIFFERENT!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The issue here is not with the troops, it is
with those who are setting or conveying unrealistic expectations as a poor
control mechanism to lead by confusion, humiliation, and shaming.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I receive a ton of feedback on the page which is positive in
a<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTS13NdU1Xh4wEg6HDrfEekjwE_rgQfWiwyyccqplRNFKi9p7usLmPrvA4Wjdu_dAPc478VejAOR2EJJgIJr5LGoM4w5XiGhGTpSO_LN2fdGX3lYpiyeSUd1_nVSid92P6gjyNYab30yA/s1600/intrest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTS13NdU1Xh4wEg6HDrfEekjwE_rgQfWiwyyccqplRNFKi9p7usLmPrvA4Wjdu_dAPc478VejAOR2EJJgIJr5LGoM4w5XiGhGTpSO_LN2fdGX3lYpiyeSUd1_nVSid92P6gjyNYab30yA/s320/intrest.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: Pintrest)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
negative way… by that I mean most people love the page because it speaks to
them about the same struggles I see and deal with in their own department.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">They talk about how I must be reading their
mind, bugging their firehouse, or spying on their department because what I
speak about is so accurate.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The page has
become of refuge of sorts for people who are just pounding their heads against
the wall day after day yet have so much passion and vigor for doing right by
their brothers and communities that they will not quit!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I get everything from offers to write
articles for the page, memes, quotes, articles from other places on similar
topics, requests for help to start their own ventures, thanks, and everything
in between.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I try to honor every single
one of them in any way I can because I know the personal price of choosing the
life of passion for our craft.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I know
the mental breakdown people will impose on you when you challenge their tranquil
garden of mediocrity.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I all too well
know the emotions, stresses, anxieties, and doubts associated with being the
only voice in the room who calls out the bullshit.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I KNOW!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">And for that reason, I will do ANYTHING I can to help vent your roof so
you don’t have to live with the conditions I do all too often.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This blog is not a call for help by any means.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">While I am sure you could read this and
assume I have some serious screws loose (which isn’t necessarily out of the
question), I know where I stand.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I have
zero doubts about my values and ideas for the fire service but more so in my
abilities to convey them in a way which makes them part of my reality.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Perhaps I am depressed, need to see a shrink,
or simply need a change of scenery.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Perhaps
I am just like everyone else only they are unwilling, or unable, to let it out
like I am.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">If there is one thing I have
learned thus far in my venture to cultivate passion, it is that seeds of
passion are everywhere.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">However, just
like growing a crop, some soils are conducive to production, some will need
some fertilizer and care, and others are just barren and will not support
growth no matter how many seeds you try to plant.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Regardless of your situation, FIND A WAY TO EMPTY YOUR
BOX!!!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheH5dUh1ZQGhzi83OCUFV-lXGr6pEMdlnQdly5tKhzf__rd1p_T8-F1tQ_rVJBpJhP5DefscPevmdpZIKTp7BHPZDSeIJHHF4t5AQXpmQvlVz8ZYnP7jXcVf_O_zu52xkDSgYgILStsZo/s1600/UPI.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="598" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheH5dUh1ZQGhzi83OCUFV-lXGr6pEMdlnQdly5tKhzf__rd1p_T8-F1tQ_rVJBpJhP5DefscPevmdpZIKTp7BHPZDSeIJHHF4t5AQXpmQvlVz8ZYnP7jXcVf_O_zu52xkDSgYgILStsZo/s320/UPI.com.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: UPI.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Write, talk, find a hobby, start
a project, get a part time job, or even in the most drastic of situations seek
a new place to spread your gifts.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The
goal of this blog was to let each and every one of you who follow The Fire
Inside know that I write, share, and interact with you as a means to help
you (and myself) vent.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">If you are like
me, there will come a time when those around you will get sick of your
frustrations, complaints, and opinions.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">It isn’t personal they just don’t care to go as far down the road of
passion as you.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Unfortunately, this is
often where many friendships and alliances are broken, as well as how many of
us end up being labeled as whiners and assholes.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Believe me, there is some serious comfort and
refuge in the ears and minds of strangers.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I know it is hard.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I
know it sucks.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I know it takes a toll on
even the strongest people to get beat down by adversity on daily basis and still
have the drive to get up and try again.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I wrote this blog about me to prove YOU ARE NOT ALONE!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">While many of you are like me and know that
even if 100 people tell you it is going to be okay you will probably still feel
down about things, at least take some minor sliver of peace in knowing that all
the great ones who have been successful at shaping our craft were there more than
you know.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">While that certainly won’t
take away the mental exhaustion, it may very well be that small scrap of
motivation the prevents you from throwing in the towel! </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
<i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-size: large;"></span>The Fire Insidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08486289357172219824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593851535504922823.post-62399525577298957022017-07-06T14:44:00.004-07:002017-07-06T17:05:04.256-07:00Are We Really Doing More With Less?<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyypjrmvT7I9mucD0GMl_Vn5TM1FPNxoeJgaJJSUqxjAmWPfldbXLk8RdiIwJGZfWBiHiXSvet4dD_4LZb-TFPy0m7UatJ2_9EIfEdni0pB6Pm_gJFB_1AvmR9LG9HNWAQKpADNKuJxfs/s1600/The+Daily+Courier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="715" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyypjrmvT7I9mucD0GMl_Vn5TM1FPNxoeJgaJJSUqxjAmWPfldbXLk8RdiIwJGZfWBiHiXSvet4dD_4LZb-TFPy0m7UatJ2_9EIfEdni0pB6Pm_gJFB_1AvmR9LG9HNWAQKpADNKuJxfs/s320/The+Daily+Courier.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: The Daily Courier)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“Doing more with less” seems to be at the center of almost
every business, trade, and service around these days.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">What likely started as some type of catch
phrase in a board room to justify the actions of people who know nothing about
what the fire service does on a daily basis, or how we do it for that matter, has more or
less become the industry standard for all budgetary, strategic, and tactical
considerations.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">“Doing more with less”
is more of a misconception and idiom than it is a successful managerial
model.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> Although it is a reality for most departments, t</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">he very premise of such a
concept never has, and will never, have any business being expressed in as a
fire department procedural guideline or long-term planning method.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The fact that the disillusion of this
mentality has not been enough to revisit the implications it has caused is
nothing short of disturbing.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The very essence of the fire service is to figure out how to
fix or mitigate anything.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Unfortunately,
that makes us extremely susceptible to rolling with more punches than we really
deserve.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Our desire to serve our communities
in any capacity, against all obstacles, is a mixed blessing of sorts.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">While we refuse to let adversity cause us to
deviate from our mission to protect life and property, we also tend to accept conditions
and circumstances which greatly impair our ability to do so.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The more with less mentality is probably the
ultimate example of how our commitment to our citizens prevents us from really
demonstrating how severely many of these decisions handicap our ability to
provide service.</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7i2Eu2pHLL7shF4pKsoOQivVN4mEGCp4b4snA3dg3zdrTzovVcSNKlQAGDCxDeDuazHpeqlEReG6EvtNvouUgQ1rGtqKU8hovmq7WerwDP5PvioyequgEuA6Yw58yd5Q9RWqem2kzfvs/s1600/KLCC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7i2Eu2pHLL7shF4pKsoOQivVN4mEGCp4b4snA3dg3zdrTzovVcSNKlQAGDCxDeDuazHpeqlEReG6EvtNvouUgQ1rGtqKU8hovmq7WerwDP5PvioyequgEuA6Yw58yd5Q9RWqem2kzfvs/s320/KLCC.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: KLCC)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The sad part of this mentality is that so many of our
brothers and sisters are actually buying into such a fallacy.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">None of us are doing more with less, if we
are lucky we are doing the same with less.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">In most cases we are just flat out doing less with less!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This is not a knock on the dedicated men and
women who are trying to deliver the best possible service with what they
are given, but rather a wake up call for the fire service as a whole which for
some reason has decided to champion this misnomer and essentially brag about
how resilient we are for it.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">While I
understand the well intentioned pride in our ability to carry on despite such cuts,
constantly putting on our happy face about them only leads to more.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The result is we have passed the breaking point of
negatively effecting service in many jurisdictions.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">So how did we get to the state we have entered today?</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Well it is quite simple; we are an easy
target for the chopping block due to our humbleness and inherent ability to
shoulder burden and solve problems.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Although our profession
had reached epic heights of public support after the tragic events of 9/11 and
the brave actions of the FDNY, the Great Recession experienced across the
country from 2007 to 2009 found many municipalities struggling to make
payroll.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I cannot remember any other
period in my lifetime where working for the government became a risk or when
local governments were filing for bankruptcy!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The fallout for the fire service was having to figure out a way to keep
our doors open when the citizens needed it most, while supporting recovery of
the governments which fund us.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This resulted in staffing reductions and cuts to funding which were based solely on
political clout and empty bank accounts with little, if any, regard for operational implications.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This affected both career and volunteer departments alike as the
recession took members out of volunteer houses because many had to seek additional
employment just to make ends meet!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">And
while the public has always appreciated the service we provide, sadly many felt
we had become overstaffed, overfunded, and our benefits were just far too
expensive for what they were getting from us.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5uGGrVAelMw_6y5JM6huwEn5VfMXhYQFIAHmaotFL7EhEEyvpB24xnntbmxWKtB7AA75qZAVp2nY22wgCsfYskt5OPnBH6qX31gxcaSybV7GTgCnSfSIL2hC-rvL3rOFqgCIJbiVSo8/s1600/wmur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5uGGrVAelMw_6y5JM6huwEn5VfMXhYQFIAHmaotFL7EhEEyvpB24xnntbmxWKtB7AA75qZAVp2nY22wgCsfYskt5OPnBH6qX31gxcaSybV7GTgCnSfSIL2hC-rvL3rOFqgCIJbiVSo8/s400/wmur.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo:WMUR.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The result of these funding and staffing loses were
departments being forced to try to turn out the way they had for decades, only
with significantly fewer resources.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We
saw once staffed apparatus being cross staffed or shut down completely.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We saw firehouses being browned out or shut
down altogether.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We saw once thriving
volunteer departments having trouble getting one rig off the floor.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We also saw all the small cracks in our
systems like aging fleets, lack of mutual aid, declining recruitment, and poor
contingency planning break under the pressure the recession put on us.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This is how the “do more with less” mentality
grabbed hold of our profession because at the time it was a positive way of
saying the community expects the service you provided yesterday with the cuts
and newfound realities of today.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The
only difference between those two statements is one sounds like something to be
proud of and one sounds pretty damn gloomy.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">While I would agree that in times of turmoil we must find ways to frame
the positives in order to keep our people going, the time has come to get back
to what we need to do the job.</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91IiZvJExDw-htFvR9X5bEAC1aOZ62o3FDkXqMTC9G04Rh8qwjcNTUt-JbsAgjbXB_Jzdqxp8AkCWVYWP1AjEwNpK0c9uWVt2vHBHDHMKrUVRqyjXvD0GcBlXVYvO2covyGWmLV_PeYI/s1600/trumbell+times.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91IiZvJExDw-htFvR9X5bEAC1aOZ62o3FDkXqMTC9G04Rh8qwjcNTUt-JbsAgjbXB_Jzdqxp8AkCWVYWP1AjEwNpK0c9uWVt2vHBHDHMKrUVRqyjXvD0GcBlXVYvO2covyGWmLV_PeYI/s320/trumbell+times.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo:Trumbell Times)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">So how exactly are we doing more with less anyways?</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I can’t say I have ever read or heard an
account of a department demonstrating how reduced staffing and budgets actually
helped them to provide better or additional services.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I have rarely even interacted with anyone who
has found ways to maintain the level of service they had before the cuts. Whether you are </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">knocking a large city's apparatus from 5
personnel to 4, reducing a smaller jurisdictions engine from 3 personnel to 2, losing your ladder or rescue
completely, or having to turn over calls to mutual aid agencies because your volunteer turnout has fallen so low, the impact of staffing and funding reductions is absolutely crippling!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Even if some departments have survived cuts or figured out ways to make up for them, I just don’t see
anywhere that has actually done more, with less.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">What I do see and read about every day are places that are doing
less because they have less.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Fire
prevention, home safety inspections, smoke detector programs, open houses, fire
extinguisher classes, car seat installations, etc. have been hurt the
worst.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The few proactive things we have
in a business that is primarily reactive in nature are almost always the first
to go.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Sadly, many of these things were
the reasons we saw a reduction in fire death and loss
over the last 2 or 3 decades.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Now aside
from the “non-essential” service cuts, we have also seen operational cuts.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Some areas have lost personnel, some have
lost apparatus, and some are being forced to abandon tactics as a result of
losing them.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">But
wait, we keep hearing how we are all doing more with less…</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">How many places don’t do vertical ventilation
because “we don’t have enough people to put guys on the roof”?</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">How many are choosing to not establish a RIT
for the same reasoning?</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">How many times
do we see people pissing in the wind with a 1.75” line because they have been
led to believe they or really don’t have enough people to mount an attack with the
2.5”?</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">How often do we see places that are
not even going interior because they “don’t have the manpower to do so”?</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Frankly, almost every time we see one of
these pictures or videos where something is getting away from a department the first
issue named is manpower.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Yet you want me
to believe we are doing more with less?</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Sorry, I am not buying it!</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PcnjUfEAVGIGie1JhEpxzcNuft3GVS3ngs52b2BRYOYWIrOyoQPNYDgJ57d_uk4q-5S232GQpKB-cKyMYtJHamIbTOW14w9wrTBwxq6cOelq5yBfirvJDXVg-sNQYzJQ8IN0L1GZd30/s1600/heroprep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="600" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PcnjUfEAVGIGie1JhEpxzcNuft3GVS3ngs52b2BRYOYWIrOyoQPNYDgJ57d_uk4q-5S232GQpKB-cKyMYtJHamIbTOW14w9wrTBwxq6cOelq5yBfirvJDXVg-sNQYzJQ8IN0L1GZd30/s400/heroprep.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: HeroPrep)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">What we are doing more of with less is saying yes to
additional responsibilities.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The
artificial belief that fires are down to a point where the fire service will
essentially no longer be needed has led us to keep adding to our list of
responsibilities while we continue to subtract from our rosters.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Now while I absolutely agree that HAZMAT,
rescue, and EMS are a good fit for the fire department because of their
striking similarities to fire suppression, they cannot be absorbed without an
increase in funding, apparatus, equipment, training, and manpower.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">In a time where many areas are struggling to put together a suitable response
to a structure fire, how on earth are we supposed to conduct resource intensive
disciplines such as HAZMAT and technical rescue or sacrifice the few fire
personnel we have left to ride in the ambulance all day and all night, yet be
available and rested enough to fight a fire?</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Just as a pound is a pound, a person is a person.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">They do not become more by the way you divide
them up.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Regardless of how many services
you add to your mission statement, without the addition of personnel to carry
them out you are doing nothing more than writing letters on a piece of paper
and possibly creating a false sense of security for the citizens whom rely on
your ability to mitigate the hazards they face.</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIA729wRiYUC1OOglNuRP_6AVa6XVQ6PGeawVWTuBAqrNQBRijceQ6YPEreFbqIk9A9qretvSeYGPtljh2qrGvAHxYqBbIMU_M6cHFuLTerX5Dl853Gz84GLmRxShmEfplSvuByi7GO0/s1600/motorcity+muckraker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="1300" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIA729wRiYUC1OOglNuRP_6AVa6XVQ6PGeawVWTuBAqrNQBRijceQ6YPEreFbqIk9A9qretvSeYGPtljh2qrGvAHxYqBbIMU_M6cHFuLTerX5Dl853Gz84GLmRxShmEfplSvuByi7GO0/s400/motorcity+muckraker.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: Motor City Muckraker)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Even though I disagree with what I feel was an unjust target
being placed on the fire service’s back during tough financial times, I
understand why it happened.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Much like
the military, our value is measured in readiness, preparedness, and response
which are all the necessary qualities to react when things go wrong, yet they do not
translate well on spreadsheets or in budget meetings.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Government speaks in dollars and cents rather
than perceptions and actions.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Selling
our value is difficult at best because we are asking those who write the checks
to take our word on what we need.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">However,
while it happened quietly, the economy has since recovered.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">So where are our people?</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Where is our funding?</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> Where are our closed stations and shut down apparatus? Where is our replacement equipment? </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">How do we get it back?</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The hard truth is it far easier to give
something up when asked than get it back when needed.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We complied too readily when times were tough
and are not receiving the same courtesy now that the atmosphere has
improved.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">It is now more than ever that
fire service leaders need to be going to battle to restore and rectify what was
taken from us, which starts with ending the lie that we have been able to do
more with less.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I understand the
difficult climate of being a Fire Chief.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I understand that talking to politicians is different than talking to
firefighters.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I also understand that as
the head of the department, you accepted the responsibility to LEAD us and that
means you are going to have to have the hard conversations.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">It means you are going to have to take some
fire now and then by pushing unpopular requests and ultimatums on the people
who fund us.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">It means that you are
probably going to have to do some homework, know your statistics, show need,
and justify our requests.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">It means you
are going to have to stop being a politician and start being the Fire
Chief.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I am sure these meetings and
conversations are hard, frustrating, and heated at times but so is trying to
carry out our mission with inadequate resources and personnel.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Even as the Fire Chief you are a firefighter
first, you are just crawling different halls now.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtobDRKxyTIWq1FMCbfKTnmmIHTUampW9ynPbZ8gFq8aJUNWqwElPvK73gv8pNrC2jiak4FukA8388Plz6rxJUB0ZhDXbmhzpAwNkbV4kWrrzHjEcsfUGHMLLHdRpB7jASJB4CvUke8g/s1600/SFappeal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="392" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtobDRKxyTIWq1FMCbfKTnmmIHTUampW9ynPbZ8gFq8aJUNWqwElPvK73gv8pNrC2jiak4FukA8388Plz6rxJUB0ZhDXbmhzpAwNkbV4kWrrzHjEcsfUGHMLLHdRpB7jASJB4CvUke8g/s200/SFappeal.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: SF Appeal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We are essentially living a lie these days.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">It is time we took an honest look at our
operations and determined not only what we really need to do the job, but a
path to get back to that level.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Perhaps
you need better automatic or mutual aid agreements, better volunteer
incentives, more staffing, the ability to fill vacancies, a larger overtime
budget, staffing of additional apparatus, more stations, new equipment, new apparatus, better benefits, more attractive wages, and everything in
between.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Regardless of your operational
needs, you need a plan to get there sooner rather than later.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Like anything in life, it is going to cost
money and that is a hard sale for anyone, let alone a taxpayer funded service.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">However, there are studies out there to aid
your fight for personnel.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Your
statistics show your call volume and your need.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The number of units it will take to meet the established industry
standards for personnel may be difficult or completely unattainable with the
resources you currently have.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">If it is
attainable, how does it affect your ability to respond to additional incidents that
are resource intensive?</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">There are plenty
of ways to justify your needs, you just have to be willing, and sometimes
creative, to communicate the hard truths and realities of them to the people who write the checks.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This job is hard enough without self-induced handicaps.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We need to stop hiding behind past successes and
admit the realities of where we stand today.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">While we take great pride in saving victims, that doesn’t mean we haven’t
become one in many ways. </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">As embarrassing
as it may be, sometimes we need rescuing as well.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The first step of that rescue is admitting
things are not as they seem.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> If we refuse to call a MAYDAY in front of the mayor, how can we expect our firefighters to do so during a fire? </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Our
willingness to accept our share of the cuts while minimizing the impact of
service is commendable but should not be confused with an acceptable long-term solution.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">As long as we continue to spit out catch
phrases like “doing more with less” and championing tactics and equipment which
seem to justify this concept but refuse to acknowledge or account for the
effect on victim viability or our ability to effect rescue than we are hurting our
profession just as much, if not more than, those who impose the cuts which
put us in this position.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The Fire
Department is, and always will be, an ESSENTIAL service.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">It is time we got back to treating it as
such!</span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-size: large;"></span>The Fire Insidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08486289357172219824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593851535504922823.post-11769494463681038912017-06-29T15:39:00.000-07:002017-06-29T17:25:49.260-07:00Why “All Hazards” is Hazardous to Brotherhood<span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PUsxJIMlnwpKKKLLtuurvhwUcWvzaqgnkSHmSAUjplapfAH4MTCIGF20szDHnhlRZmVCWayaLoHf1ICve0WSWnTr4sDuro3ssz3rfyzuLSQ4E_N1T_dLaQRYSBriHswxJCVl5gOhTcE/s1600/burton-fire-photo-2_11519265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PUsxJIMlnwpKKKLLtuurvhwUcWvzaqgnkSHmSAUjplapfAH4MTCIGF20szDHnhlRZmVCWayaLoHf1ICve0WSWnTr4sDuro3ssz3rfyzuLSQ4E_N1T_dLaQRYSBriHswxJCVl5gOhTcE/s320/burton-fire-photo-2_11519265.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: Firehouse.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Brotherhood is a funny thing in our profession.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It serves as a requirement to unity but is increasingly
being used as a tool of division.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It has
really become more of a catch phrase than an actual part of our craft.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Brotherhood is beginning to boil down to your
typical tool of convenience as many will argue you don’t possess it the first
time you go against or do something that is not beneficial to them.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It has been turned into an unattainable moral
high ground of firefighters, discounting our human nature to screw up.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In my opinion brotherhood is about family and like your own
family there are up and downs.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">There are
times we all get along and times we can’t stand each other.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We do right by each other one day and do
wrong by each other the next day.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">However, just like with our own families, it is brotherhood that unites
us when times are tough, the world is crumbling around us, and we inevitably
need each other even if we don’t like each other at that very moment.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Brotherhood therefore is essentially another
word for love, it just sounds more masculine making it easier for many of us
to accept it.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">That love was built into
our profession by going to jobs together and doing whatever it took to make
sure the man next to you survived.</span></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I think it is safe to say we are in the middle of one of the
largest pushes for cultural change the fire service has ever seen.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">There are many speculations as to why this
phenomenon is taking place in a profession which has historically fought change.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">There is even more speculation about the
validity, endurance, and necessity of the push for such change with many
theories on how we got here including a generational divide, societal changes,
gaps in leadership development, and even the fact that we have allowed
education and technology to have more of a role in our departments.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Surely all these factors have had an impact
on the changing culture in our firehouses, however, what we fail to discuss is
how our changing mission is impacting not only the composition of our
departments, but also how we interact with each other.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Before I go any further let me just be clear early on; I
WILL SERVE MY CITIZENS IN ANY CAPACITY, AT ANY TIME, TO THE BEST OF MY
ABILITY.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I don’t want this article to
become misconstrued as some complaining, whining, ignorant gripe about not
wanting to do anything but fight fire.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The point of this article is to shed light on the possible link between non-fire
related responsibilities unintentionally causing a negative impact on
brotherhood.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Like with most things in life, every good comes with some
bad and in our case while the expansion of services is almost always good for
our citizens, I believe it has put some serious wrinkles in the fabric of our
culture. </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The “all hazards” approach to
firefighting has had some influence on every department I have been a part of
since I came into this amazing fraternity almost 15 years ago.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">While back then it wasn’t as obvious, I have
watched “justification of need” balloon from additional, loosely related
disciplines into the “call us when there is no one left to call” mentality.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As a result, departments across the country took
on the roles of extrication, technical and specialized rescue, HAZMAT, fire
prevention, and EMS.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Recessions,
shrinking budgets, political fights, and the fire service’s inability to say no to
anything that could help the community have further compounded the
problem.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And while none of us can look
at that list and really argue that any of those are any less important than
fire suppression as far as public safety is concerned, what we often miss is
how those disciplines have divided us both by mission and operational
mentality.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Firefighting, or fire suppression if you will, is scarily
similar to both team sports and military operations.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Victory does not occur without the effort of
all parties involved, the weakest link defines the group’s level of success,
and each group within the larger group will police, assist, and remedy each
other out of necessity as the failure of an individual will often result in failure
of the group as well.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The stakes of fire
suppression are extremely high for both civilian AND firefighter safety.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The work is so labor and task intensive that
even the best individual effort will rarely, if ever, be successful.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Furthermore, the reality of injury
or death essentially forces a reliance on those you have gone to battle with resulting
in a unique, unspoken bond which can develop only through repeated success
under dire circumstances.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Also, consider that much like the military, the fire service
attracts people from all walks of life uniting them with a common bond which
is firefighting.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Without it, there is no
way we would all get along.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As many
areas are seeing a decline in fires, or fire departments being established in
areas with low call volume, we see evidence of this fact in the personality
clashes and personal problems which often consume our days.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Essentially, fire suppression is the root of
the brotherhood we speak of.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It wasn’t
created in the day room, on the bumper, at birthday parties, at a bar, by
trading t-shirts, or going on weekend getaways.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It was created under fire, under stress, and under duress because
without each other we do not survive.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">So,
without even getting into the differences between fire suppression and the
other disciplines we have become accustomed to providing, we see that fire suppression
needs brotherhood just as brotherhood needs fire suppression.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Aside from the perceived decline in fires and the addition
of career fire service in areas which traditionally did not have or “need” one, the missions which come with the “all hazards” approach have essentially
conditioned us to become better at working as individuals than as a team.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">While some aspects such as extrication and
HAZMAT mirror the brotherhood requirements of fire suppression very closely, they
still have an individual tone to them.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It often only takes one person to operate hydraulic tools successfully, the contained
atmosphere of the Level A suit creates separation from one another, and while
the team effort is still required for the overall completion of the mission it just
isn’t the same as doing a vent job or making a push together.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtBa4W807B8Db5RevqaUGz42jACgeJaUkVqCTQvSt_GEVOoXtkr27ceG4f0JG69LOe8GfZ1RQufsU39wHCAPf9N8vIKBiGLTX0BzV_4ivbQQzyhnxe7yY-eaXB9VNal2F5oXupCGbhYk/s1600/Ambulance%252520and%252520Engine%252520on%252520scene-RESIZE-425x283.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtBa4W807B8Db5RevqaUGz42jACgeJaUkVqCTQvSt_GEVOoXtkr27ceG4f0JG69LOe8GfZ1RQufsU39wHCAPf9N8vIKBiGLTX0BzV_4ivbQQzyhnxe7yY-eaXB9VNal2F5oXupCGbhYk/s1600/Ambulance%252520and%252520Engine%252520on%252520scene-RESIZE-425x283.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="425" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtBa4W807B8Db5RevqaUGz42jACgeJaUkVqCTQvSt_GEVOoXtkr27ceG4f0JG69LOe8GfZ1RQufsU39wHCAPf9N8vIKBiGLTX0BzV_4ivbQQzyhnxe7yY-eaXB9VNal2F5oXupCGbhYk/s320/Ambulance%252520and%252520Engine%252520on%252520scene-RESIZE-425x283.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: City of Madison</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The highly contested addition of EMS is probably one of the
greatest detractors of brotherhood that is invading our culture.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Again, let me reiterate I think our citizens
do nothing but benefit from our ability, desire, and commitment to provide EMS either
in first response or fire-based EMS capacities, but as far as brotherhood and
culture goes it is more of an individual sport.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">While I have never worked for a department that delivered fire-based
EMS, having worked for private EMS I have seen both sides of the coin.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I see a significant difference in how an EMS
call is run from the ambulance vs. how it is run from an engine or ladder
company.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Although the thought process is
similar to firefighting and there are some safety considerations for both the
medic and the patient, running a medical call is significantly different from attacking
a structure fire.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">When things go bad you
are typically restricted to your own individual efforts, the patient outcome is
generally reliant solely on your ability to perform interventions, there is rarely
backup or additional companies coming to support your efforts once you have begun transport, and you will usually be providing patient care alone for the
majority of the run.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">So, whether you are
working in the back of a private, municipal, or fire department ambulance, it is
easy to see how the increase in EMS is growing our individual strengths while
neglecting our ability to work as a team and in return groom our brotherhood. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The addition of these responsibilities has also created a
need for more apparatus which divide our staffing.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Unlike an engine and ladder which will often
respond together, the ambulance, HAZMAT rig, or rescue squad can run calls
either independently and frequently operate outside the district where they are
housed as they are specialized units in many jurisdictions.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This
results in splintering of the crew for meals, training, station duties, and
downtime which have traditionally been times where the bonds made under fire
were bolstered and grown.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Furthermore,
in the case of EMS the lopsided call volume between the ambulance and other
units can be so severe that it can lead to animosity and separation depending
on the staffing model and rotation which is used.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Also, EMS continuing education and
recertification hours tend to occur on the individual level as different
levels of certification require different amounts and types of training, causing them to be difficult to complete as a team.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGd9-59NKwSSAdIxLmidpt3d0ksI6LeJ9mS-5M0czzEMGhllNCCONdm1JMNLCp-7XpJPptXI1pcBCtNxVylrf5GDy4orYHT-OgE_es_mjyWGchdW4mdbSMBi-qAgapj-CVcRYNLPGNgFM/s1600/140715-F-KU465-028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="670" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGd9-59NKwSSAdIxLmidpt3d0ksI6LeJ9mS-5M0czzEMGhllNCCONdm1JMNLCp-7XpJPptXI1pcBCtNxVylrf5GDy4orYHT-OgE_es_mjyWGchdW4mdbSMBi-qAgapj-CVcRYNLPGNgFM/s320/140715-F-KU465-028.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: Vance Air Force Base)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Finally, the “all hazards” approach has led to a broadening
of sorts for hiring and promotion.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In
the past, firefighting skills were almost always the deciding factor in
promotions, awards, and coveted assignments or additional duties.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The advent of additional disciplines has led
many to seek the individuals with the greatest number or most beneficial
certifications.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">For example, the
Paramedic certification is much more valuable in many corners of the country
than the ability to deploy a hand line, cut the roof, or perform a size-up.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The ability to function as part of a team is
being replaced by the ability to pass a test or satisfy a requirement on a
checklist.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We are being led to believe
that fires are down, which somehow justifies a decrease in firefighting proficiency.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Not only have statistics shown fires are not
down in many areas, but in those they are it creates are greater need than ever
for the brotherhood to return as it will be all hands on deck when a fire does
break out.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As stated earlier, one or two
individual efforts will never yield the same results as one or two
operationally efficient teams.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The desire and subsequent need for well-rounded firefighters
exposed to multiple disciplines and topics is also inadvertently creating an
unhealthy competition of sorts between members as they seek to have the best
portfolio at promotion time.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We see less
classes, conferences, and outside training opportunities being attended by
crews and more being attended by individuals.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">While they are supposed to take the information back to their
departments, many use it as an additional bullet point or hoard it so that they
have a leg up on the competition at test time.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Many are taking classes simply to meet prerequisites rather than to
learn and become proficient at the topic of the course.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Those who are concentrating on mastery of a
specific topic will often be overlooked as the assumption that more is better
is making specialties in our craft extinct to a degree.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I self-admittedly have not been to enough fires in my short
career to develop the brotherhood that I have discussed above.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I try to be a good fireman and make good
decisions.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I try to treat those around
me as I would want to be treated but like many of you I fall into the common
traps which result in straying from that mission.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">However, when it is time to go on a run or
help someone who is down on their luck I will always support them regardless of
my personal feelings for the person.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">One
day, I hope to experience the kind of brotherhood I have only heard and read
about from those who paved the way for me to be where I am.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">However, like most of you I have no control over
whether or not the next fire will be in my due or who might be on the ticket
with me when it does happen.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I can only
commit to working together and growing that bond each and every time we turn out.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">There is no shortage of people who are finding new means and
avenues to speak up about what they feel are the factors which are contributing
to the downfall of an occupation that often represents one of the last pure
professions around.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Even though social
media can be a double-edged sword, I think it has played a pivotal role in
laying the foundation to restore the brotherhood as it has united so many
individuals who likely would have never found each other into a unified
movement for change.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In a society which
allows the dissatisfaction of one to drown out the preference of many, the
voices of our brothers and sisters from across the country are uniting to stop
such madness!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">So, while we are led to
believe we growing more and more divided each day, a close examination of the
raw, sincere, emotional rhetoric about bringing back the brotherhood will show
you that propaganda is just that and the reality is we have far more people
working for us than we do against us!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">While we cannot change the mission or the men we work with,
by understanding how we are becoming divided we can develop strategies to bring
us back together.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Perhaps the days of
finding brotherhood in the heat and limited visibility of a hallway are over
for us.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Perhaps the days of fire
suppression being the leading factor in career development are history as well.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Although the brotherhood as we once knew it
may need to be tweaked or even redefined, as long as we have people committed to
bringing us back together it will rise again in one form or another.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">So the next time you find yourself acting as
an individual in a situation that you could easily turn into a group effort, do
it!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If your response model allows you to
take additional people in the back of your ambulance, take them along and
divide the labor.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The next time you cut
a car, treat the tool like a hose line and use everyone on the crew to your advantage.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Many of our newfound individual efforts
simply need to be adapted to a team response.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Pursue promotional requirements and continuing education as a team.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Hold each other up.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JqCUZv83UzN2PRa3eQO6OWWQLbVSonRyD1yqCN4Squ6ykyWCUXJ8Ms_ki0PuHDshh9Gpiwrwt9hIdPF-elslkQpE6XI8iCMKEwT02U2llGRCiughU9dXTNTv7GNa064E8fHxblwwFc0/s1600/a1848d5ff61e392e84e068354fe11384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="584" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JqCUZv83UzN2PRa3eQO6OWWQLbVSonRyD1yqCN4Squ6ykyWCUXJ8Ms_ki0PuHDshh9Gpiwrwt9hIdPF-elslkQpE6XI8iCMKEwT02U2llGRCiughU9dXTNTv7GNa064E8fHxblwwFc0/s320/a1848d5ff61e392e84e068354fe11384.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: Pintrest)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Congratulate each other when you
succeed.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Remember, only one person can make
Fire Chief at a time, but he will be impotent without motivated, dedicated,
well-trained crews carrying out the mission on his behalf.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Don’t be blinded by opportunities to do your
own thing, see the big picture by functioning as a team whenever possible.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Just because we are becoming responsible for
all hazards doesn’t mean they have to be hazardous to what has and always will
be the biggest staple of the job, brotherhood. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span>The Fire Insidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08486289357172219824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593851535504922823.post-76695176096766215442017-05-31T12:27:00.001-07:002017-05-31T12:37:40.607-07:00What's So Damn Offensive Anyways?<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAU39oF5xBcjvD50XzA7KUrcSNFTDI-Da05dFT9OOjewjisuXHMRUMJfuXRxSwNuzKnfdy6zV0CKORzl8ZftcZp-01VthHnOAN7ZE9JKhqPBj99UVBMnShJvfiMAmbyN9o5Dr66KygLc/s1600/f76ac446934313a7bee54b4a73293428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="550" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAU39oF5xBcjvD50XzA7KUrcSNFTDI-Da05dFT9OOjewjisuXHMRUMJfuXRxSwNuzKnfdy6zV0CKORzl8ZftcZp-01VthHnOAN7ZE9JKhqPBj99UVBMnShJvfiMAmbyN9o5Dr66KygLc/s320/f76ac446934313a7bee54b4a73293428.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: The Odyssey Online)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We are living in an age where everyone seems to be offended
by everything and everyone. The fire service is certainly no exception. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">What was once advertised as a brotherhood of
selfless individuals committed to serving the community often seems more like a
fraternity of entitled brats complaining about who’s way is better than it does
a group of public safety professionals.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We
waste our time arguing about who is better, who is more educated, and who’s way
is right instead of combining our efforts to form the most efficient,
productive methods to accomplish the tasks of our mission.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Unfortunately, this trend is
eventually going to destroy the fire service as we know it if left to fester
and spread!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I think it is safe to say we are all basically raised
knowing that everybody is different.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">So
why is it that these differences seem to be such a problem?</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The underlying cause is simple: we have
replaced opinions with offenses.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Essentially,
we have become unable to disagree with each other.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">In a world where the answer to most things is
at our fingertips, we have become not only unable to fathom that there could be
more than one solution, but also that someone might not agree with the one we
provide.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">There seems to be an
expectation of blind followership which is partially to blame for this
phenomenon.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We have lost our ability to
teach, explain, and grow our people and replaced it with a premise that they
should listen to us simply because we have managed to maintain employment for a
certain amount of time or have a certain title.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We have placed a greater emphasis on years of service than we have quality
of service, resulting in egos that self-inflate when a certain tenure has been achieved
rather than an accomplishment or skill set.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We have stopped caring about each other and started caring only about
being right.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> If you expect others to conform without education, you are creating a lose/lose scenario. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Now I know what some of you are thinking, “but WE have a way
that WE do things! It is TRADITION!”</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Well, yes and no.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Tradition is
defined as “the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to
generation.”</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Nowhere in that definition
does that say methods, procedures, routines, or techniques.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This is because those terms represent an
actual way to doing something whereas traditions are the overall beliefs of a group or organization.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">You can have a tradition of
wearing black helmets, however you aren’t likely wearing metal helmets.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Your fire engines may be
red because of tradition, but they are no longer pulled by a horse.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Consider for a moment that if things never
changed we would still be using buckets as a primary suppression method, relying on open windows as an air supply, and wearing hip boots.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Although there are some seriously demented
and ignorant individuals wearing our patches who think things should still be
that way, I would say the majority of us realize that change does, and needs to
happen in this business every day.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Many
seem think if they ignore it, they can never become outdated or
unimportant.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">In actuality, the more you
choose to ignore change and create your own fictitious reality, the faster you accelerate the
rate at which you become irrelevant. Remember, traditions are supposed to bring us together, not pull us apart.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3fpnrgptgJUVKYW363nvKM7VBTTsW_nDBy6__T2sVoSBbXu1yoVmngQcyeBiYfjGoTBhKB_HOlgG4IhT3tNolFNHI-rpOnpEiMvIHzDk6JzePFLQhgKGWWYEeELRyM9pHubbqauwYEQ/s1600/1474646677714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3fpnrgptgJUVKYW363nvKM7VBTTsW_nDBy6__T2sVoSBbXu1yoVmngQcyeBiYfjGoTBhKB_HOlgG4IhT3tNolFNHI-rpOnpEiMvIHzDk6JzePFLQhgKGWWYEeELRyM9pHubbqauwYEQ/s320/1474646677714.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Photo: Fire Rescue Magazine)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The biggest problem with everyone constantly acting offended
is the division it is creating between us.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The give and take which once existed has been replaced with finger
pointing and name calling.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Nobody wants
to work together, they just want to be right.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Every comment, suggestion, and observation is turned into a personal
attack.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We have closed our minds, along
with our fists, turning every interaction into a confrontation.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The art of communication has been lost.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We are blankly staring at each other waiting
to respond as opposed to listening.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We
hear noise, not language.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We take almost
pre-planned pauses during our rants, granting the other party an opportunity
to empty their agenda.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">While this may be
some sort of informal etiquette, it should not be confused with genuine
interest or admiration.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This is simply a
learned response which is designed to make the other party think you are paying
attention to them. In reality you are taking a breather to prepare your next list of demands so you can spew
them out when it is your turn to accept the pause in your counterpart’s
tirade.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This results in lower morale,
freelancing, turmoil, and decreased production as we hear each other yet don't listen to anything that was said. </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoaweumkDjcLq4FhBNJ5cTdxad3rFdZ0PgF9Rw_1W2SG4gXQJ3b8YNyw0Yw3vWbB9XnnGCws96H_OjYmkN7pHVmYtCaxMwhB96QKVvNJnPDKkocaQ8EOXH6kiw-2iO3TMQAn2p52JpOE/s1600/635975846617801825-640034265_51399072b310b308438b141a346bc40b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="500" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoaweumkDjcLq4FhBNJ5cTdxad3rFdZ0PgF9Rw_1W2SG4gXQJ3b8YNyw0Yw3vWbB9XnnGCws96H_OjYmkN7pHVmYtCaxMwhB96QKVvNJnPDKkocaQ8EOXH6kiw-2iO3TMQAn2p52JpOE/s320/635975846617801825-640034265_51399072b310b308438b141a346bc40b.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Photo: The Odyssey Online)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">Accept the fact that not everything is about you once in a while! When you operate under the delusion that your preference is the only way, not only do you drive others away, but you also create an environment which does not support growth and performance.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Why are we so concerned with HOW others do things rather than WHAT they are doing?</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">There is a significant difference in stopping someone from taking part in an unsafe action and stopping someone because you don’t like the way they are doing it.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">You aren’t actually offended by their actions, you are simply passionate about the way you think things should be done.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Passion is not exclusive to those who seek to advance an organization or skill, it is processed by anyone who attaches strong emotion to a particular subject.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Therefore, you could have two individuals who are passionate in completely opposite ways about the same topic.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">If there is no mechanism in place to bring the two sides to somewhat neutral ground, than one or both will claim they are “offended” when they really just cannot cope with things not going their way. Have an open mind. If they don't like your plan or way, SO WHAT?! Agree to disagree now and then. Have the hard conversations and admit when someone else's way is better than your own. Someone doesn't always have to be wrong in order for someone else to be right.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Also, can we all please stop pretending that there has never
been a conflict between generations in our profession?!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The only thing that is actually offensive in
the fire service is the honest belief that one generation or the other is going
to “destroy” it!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">If I have to read one
more story, article, post, or gripe about which generation is to blame for the
current state of our craft, I may just vomit!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Every generation will inevitably have conflict with the one it is going
to replace.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Why?</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Well simply because the outgoing generation
has come into their own, the middle generation is trying to make a name for
themselves, and the incoming generation is ignorant with inexperience.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Each generation has likely had a slightly different
upbringing resulting in different values in life and on the job.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">If left unchecked due to lack of standards,
expectations, and policies which are enforced fairly across the board, each generation
will do as they see fit which will almost always cause conflict with the other
two.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This results in division where we
should have unification.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">No one is
entitled without someone enabling them to be privileged.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> If you want to the "kids" to change, than you are going to have to lead them! You can't simply break people down without building them up. The military has laid the groundwork for this very idea in the way they conduct basic training; use it!</span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Eq1Z-l1p9lah6uaVZXVS9buS1qTAIWQsz4-mCZSTuAVOT08-m564pMeZ27dv87dotiiC0v96W7BSQ4Iv_ffrbs4BvjV7HWZPHl6ds_LGZ6Dh1p3Mu3idvhrwUX-X9h23S5tpgQl7EN0/s1600/img_6226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="620" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Eq1Z-l1p9lah6uaVZXVS9buS1qTAIWQsz4-mCZSTuAVOT08-m564pMeZ27dv87dotiiC0v96W7BSQ4Iv_ffrbs4BvjV7HWZPHl6ds_LGZ6Dh1p3Mu3idvhrwUX-X9h23S5tpgQl7EN0/s320/img_6226.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Photo: MommyPoppins)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We have become so scared to be flawed that we have focused on exposing everyone else's flaws in order to hide our own. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The competition for career progression is now so entrenched with looking good by making others look bad, many are solely focused on the “me” rather than the “us”.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The is further compounded by those in “leadership” positions who condone and reward this type of underhanded tactic. If you want people to act like adults, treat them like adults! </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The reality is, if we are the “brotherhood” we claim to be, then
we need to start treating each other like family instead of enemies.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Sure, we all have conflict in our families,
but we almost always come together when it counts.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> I intentionally used "we" often while writing this because WE own everything that occurs in our profession, good or bad. YOU may not have an offended attitude, but WE as an occupation are ate up with it! </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">So how about we focus on being offended by
something that makes sense, like the fact we have people taking up space on our
rosters who are stealing our benefits and our good name!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">It is time we stop whining about all the
things that are amiss and start doing what needs to be done.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">If we stop tolerating a lower standard,
eventually it will disappear.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We need to
learn how to work together, bridge the gaps, and accept the fact that our
differences are in many cases the individual strengths which combine to make us
a complete team!</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">Stop wasting your time
on being offended and start using your time to help make things better for your
replacements. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Perhaps it is time we stop blaming society and start taking some ownership of our profession!</span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>The Fire Insidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08486289357172219824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593851535504922823.post-70652841980883929292017-02-13T19:30:00.000-08:002017-02-13T19:32:19.334-08:00Resurrection of the Senior Guy <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzaYXQ5CK04EuI9HYlWcjTlmGOL2X20V1whN262o6eZJBOTQQNlTxFnbu8bGXtzdKtg0YgXmXUBhqY1vtxgWrcXpFqmojD_dDUGbSwfzJ9H9tfW3LZmAX-ada6yZHGHPca6cMiB-Fr_s/s1600/Firefighter+Apparel.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzaYXQ5CK04EuI9HYlWcjTlmGOL2X20V1whN262o6eZJBOTQQNlTxFnbu8bGXtzdKtg0YgXmXUBhqY1vtxgWrcXpFqmojD_dDUGbSwfzJ9H9tfW3LZmAX-ada6yZHGHPca6cMiB-Fr_s/s320/Firefighter+Apparel.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: Salty Dog Apparel)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I have seen a growing number of posts and articles calling attention the disappearance and subsequent need for the “senior guy” lately. The concept of an older, experienced firefighter just itching to take the new fireman under his wing and show him the ropes is certainly a desirable one. In many ways the senior guy represents everything many are trying to bring back to our profession. A firefighter, not an officer, who has a wealth of knowledge, real-world experience, and a burning desire to share what he knows with the newest members, is just what the doctor ordered right? Well, perhaps the concept of the senior guy isn’t the problem but the expectation is. Could the senior guy be just another part of our craft which we have failed to adapt with the times?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjtWcyqjI6XZbFxbsiuTQAoidQK4wcpTLf2JSYCAHLQKB_SKW0E67JRlWRIZdtsYKscsyBY30tBqZ92UNC7i7swRUd55WnWCpxsNf64LFRsyouubWCU5fp3dV-GMpYewFYEOiUPQO5nI/s1600/Firefighter+Toolbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjtWcyqjI6XZbFxbsiuTQAoidQK4wcpTLf2JSYCAHLQKB_SKW0E67JRlWRIZdtsYKscsyBY30tBqZ92UNC7i7swRUd55WnWCpxsNf64LFRsyouubWCU5fp3dV-GMpYewFYEOiUPQO5nI/s200/Firefighter+Toolbox.jpg" width="154" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: Firefighter Toolbox)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Let’s break down the traits of the senior guy that make such a person so desirable and necessary in our firehouses. First, the senior guy was a firefighter. No rank makes him that much easier to approach and enforce the all-important “unofficial” rules of the house or department. It also provides a common ground for other firefighters to approach him without fear of official reprimand or remediation. The senior guy offers that big brother feel rather than the dad complex which often gets assigned to our officers. Next, the senior guy knows his stuff! He has been on for 15, 20, 25 years or longer! In that time period he has taken in more runs than most of us could dream of. He has seen it all and done it all yet remains modest and continues to learn even though he is likely well into the twilight of his career. You will certainly have to be on your “A-game” if you are going to get one past this guy. Finally, the senior guy’s main mission in life is to teach and develop the probies. The senior guy is often considered the most knowledgeable person in the station or department, so who better to spread their knowledge than him? Even better, he WANTS to share his knowledge! He knows his days are counting down which means he needs to share everything he can so his legacy will live on through others. The senior guy basically enables what all of us would want in a model firefighter. The real question is; does he really exist?<o:p></o:p></div>
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The short answer is sort of. No one can dispute the stories told of people who had the senior guy so he does exist, or at least he did exist. I think the reason we seem to come up empty in our search for a senior guy these days is because we haven’t changed his image as our departments have changed. With the exception of large metro departments, staffing is falling to what many consider unacceptable levels. The days of 5, 4, and even 3 men companies are a thing of the past in many corners of our country. Sure there are anomalies such as FDNY, Chicago, LA, and Boston who still have what most of us would consider more than adequate staffing, but they too are seeing cuts as well. Not only does less staffing mean fewer people, it also means many of the tenured members have found their way out the doors. Whether it was through normal attrition, collective bargaining, early retirement buyouts, health issues, or layoffs the average age of firefighters, particularly fire officers, seems to be getting lower all the time. The effect of all this is a seriously shrinking pool of prospective senior guy candidates.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceKbCWWuHKv-dES44gh9DASaVxqfb3W06b4q2uVuVz3BFw7FESGUt09bQUtESjOXdGrsHNcgVym5kWmz7sYFsMamPAfOUdRcalhhoycZQ8vgM5ecwyG96vPOAWmJ-XZOneyP-Tqx5sws/s1600/Pintrest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceKbCWWuHKv-dES44gh9DASaVxqfb3W06b4q2uVuVz3BFw7FESGUt09bQUtESjOXdGrsHNcgVym5kWmz7sYFsMamPAfOUdRcalhhoycZQ8vgM5ecwyG96vPOAWmJ-XZOneyP-Tqx5sws/s400/Pintrest.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: Pintrest)</td></tr>
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Part of the problem is the iconic vision we have in our minds of who our senior guy should be: the slightly gray-haired, weathered face, middle-aged, salty fireman just waiting to save us all from the perils of probation. The reality of the situation is we need to adapt what a senior guy is to fit the makeup of our firehouses. Sometimes our senior guy may not be so senior. He may only have as few as 5, 10, or 15 years on the job. This means he may not have a ton of experience or knowledge BUT he has been through probation, he knows how the department works, he knows more than the newest member, and can still be a valuable shoulder to lean on for the overwhelmed new member. But wait, who says the senior guy even has to be a firefighter? What if you only have a 2 or 3 man company? One of the crew is going to be the officer and he, or she, may very likely be the most experienced member of the group. While it will pose challenges, sometimes that officer will be forced to be both the officer and senior guy of the crew. That is a slippery slope in some cases but you may have to make do depending on your staffing levels. Speaking of crews, does the senior guy necessarily need to be on your crew? Does he even need to be at your station or a member of your department for that matter? Perhaps there is someone who fits the bill that you see at shift change, train with from a mutual aid agency, or someone who you have met at a conference or through social media who is willing to provide the mentoring you need. While these individuals may not have that specific in-house knowledge a traditional senior man had, they can still be invaluable in your development.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhoH5kzWccFRLKp_jJvILBMkLq3a34X4_zgv-ePCDcBgig3_v5sDSqq_vf4YnZIlLiqQDVPzZvw_3YZF6ve7wxDQNbZtYuOXSB2kiHvUwWCZfBRegyIrAug8J1qU9lEYGUYk2kxf6ESg/s1600/Heard+County+Fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhoH5kzWccFRLKp_jJvILBMkLq3a34X4_zgv-ePCDcBgig3_v5sDSqq_vf4YnZIlLiqQDVPzZvw_3YZF6ve7wxDQNbZtYuOXSB2kiHvUwWCZfBRegyIrAug8J1qU9lEYGUYk2kxf6ESg/s320/Heard+County+Fire.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: Heard County Fire & Emergency Services)</td></tr>
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The moral of the story is perhaps we need to stop searching for a unicorn in a field full of horses. Maybe our expectation of the traditional senior man is just not practical these days. Like many things in the fire service, we may be forced to do more with less. If we can learn to fight fire with fewer people, surely we can figure out how to continue the tradition of mentorship as well. If your organization is fortunate enough to still have a traditional senior man covet, cherish, and protect this vital position. If you are one of the many firefighters searching aimlessly where the senior man used to be, perhaps it is time to adjust your perception of what that individual looks like and where you will find them. Sometimes we have to let certain traditions become part of our history in order to build new ones. In the case of the senior man, it is time we resurrect his spirit into the form which fits our department in modern times.<o:p></o:p></div>
The Fire Insidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08486289357172219824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593851535504922823.post-82194341999184531162016-12-26T09:13:00.001-08:002016-12-26T09:39:05.485-08:00The Interaction Contradiction<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvCp8yRSRTYELt_RxpWvWjP7lieFze0IOCMpERATq7lNdV6htuCVBLf1tmqSNgwCxJqvXc5YOxlrjFkuAm-gPhSA7lBkuIYn_M80d7K2LezyiO3Bkgrsy-W49gCTjCAn46u3WfwWRh3k/s1600/TrainingConversation1000px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvCp8yRSRTYELt_RxpWvWjP7lieFze0IOCMpERATq7lNdV6htuCVBLf1tmqSNgwCxJqvXc5YOxlrjFkuAm-gPhSA7lBkuIYn_M80d7K2LezyiO3Bkgrsy-W49gCTjCAn46u3WfwWRh3k/s320/TrainingConversation1000px.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Something that has been bothering me recently is the
confusing message we are sending to the younger/newer members of our
departments. I keep hearing and reading
that anyone, regardless of rank, time, or experience level can have a great
idea or change their organization.
However, when new members give their opinion they are often cut down for
trying to be involved and speaking their minds.
Normally, their lack of time and experience is cited as the reason their
opinions are not wanted. Please
understand that we cannot say one thing and then do another. This constant contradictory cycle creates new
firefighters who either become insubordinate or scared to speak up. Over time this can create self-conscious or gun
shy members who will make poor decisions while operating. It also produces firefighters who will lack
knowledge, fear education, perform timidly, and likely succumb to the status
quo because they are too scared of being chastised for having and opinion or seeking
clarification. </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Somehow we have created an expectation that our first day firefighters will show up knowing everything they need to know, but when they try to show us we simply beat them down.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">It is time to stop being lazy and get back to working on developing our people! </span><span style="font-size: large;">We, as an occupation, are
sending a very mixed message to our most impressionable members and we need to
stop!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First and foremost let me address the “everyone is a leader" phenomenon which seems to be slowly growing in organizations across the country. While in theory everyone is capable of leading, we have
a rank structure for a reason. Rather
than encourage the guy with 2 years on the job to strive to lead his crew, why
not invest in the development of our people so the guy with 2 years on the job
has positive role models to teach him the job? </span><span style="font-size: large;">We have allowed too many private sector management techniques to infect our operational structure and gotten away from the traditions and paramilitary influence which have helped guide us through situations where there is no time to question orders. Once we engage in battle, the time for conversation has come and gone. There is no suggestion box, question and answer session, or round-table discussion occurring in a dark hallway as we advance a line. Promoting an atmosphere that allows the constant questioning of superiors will simply cause freelancing and insubordination during situations which have absolutely no place for it! </span><span style="font-size: large;">I think we are simply ignoring our shortcomings and allowing too many
people without a clue to be entrusted with managing and developing those under
their command. To compensate we simply say that "everyone is a leader" rather than replacing those who can't hack it in leadership roles with people who can. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">While the theory of “you can be a
leader at any level of your organization” has some validity, it is being misconstrued
into something which results in a lack of structure, insubordination, and
undermining of leadership.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> Although it is true that th</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">ere is
always things that can be improved regardless of who is suggesting the
change,</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> I have learned
during my career is that you have not matured enough in our craft early on to
be as opinionated as many new members are today.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Yes, I too was a snot nosed, know it all kid
when I started as well, but I also had great role models who put me on short leash
and yanked me back to reality anytime I tried to stray too far.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">They let me make my mistakes and then taught
me where I had gone wrong.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">This is what
we are missing in the fire service today!</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">
We have too many company officers who are scared to tell the back-step</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> firefighter to shut up and listen.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">We have
too many administrations which are taking that power away from the company
officers for the sake of the “kinder and gentler” fire service.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> There are few things that piss me off more than watching someone with a handful of years on the job ignore or argue with a senior man or company officer while a higher ranking or Chief officer watches and says nothing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">In an occupation which constantly
cites safety as the reason for change, we have sacrificed the biggest safety mechanism
of all, a rigid chain of command, in fear of liability and complaints!</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">If we are brave enough to mitigate all of the
horrible situations our occupation presents us with, why are we no longer brave
enough to tell a 20 year old kid to shut up and listen?</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Why are we too scared to tell the city
manager there is a difference between discrimination and putting someone in their
place?</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Why are we more worried about
losing our jobs than we are losing our lives when the actions of someone who
won’t listen cause a run to go bad?</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> This is the atmosphere being created in our firehouses as we begin to recognize the chain of command only when convenient. </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">The
rank structure of our craft is more than brass insignia and flow charts; it is
the mechanism that aims to place those with more knowledge and experience in decision making roles. </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">We need to focus more on training and shaping leaders as they promote to
company officer than we do on how we can be nicer to each other.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">For all the young firefighters out there,
these next few paragraphs are for you.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">I
understand you are excited, hungry, and full of great ideas.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">We were all you when we started and believe
it or not we all envy the traits of your character at that age.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">You are fearless, tireless, motivated, and hungry for the job.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">You are the workhorses of
our crews and organizations and essential to mission success.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">It is very possible for you to have great
ideas, ways to make positive change, and possess traits that will make you the
great leaders of tomorrow.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">However, you
haven’t been on enough runs to speak out of turn.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">You haven’t performed enough repetitions of a
skill to be a master of it.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">You have not
put in enough time to blatantly disrespect a fellow brother or sister with 30
to 40 years on the job, regardless of how they are treating you. </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">If you cannot follow the chain of command for
stupid things like being picked on or station chores how can we expect you to
follow it at 0200 on a multiple alarm fire where I NEED you to listen and not
talk?!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtChwhb1Hs2fF2gqbbhirT1eJY5LdfvYH1r9_G9ZR5Lxr8ctkH52AbHWa7wv8qXUuSkUyew7apAkC9nkHTjTGv7Etpd8QWbZ9LPissiD-zKfVZYd3A3m2rtSYlYjNaXnRSS6nah-SpEc/s1600/fire4jpg-e7571905fd6386e3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtChwhb1Hs2fF2gqbbhirT1eJY5LdfvYH1r9_G9ZR5Lxr8ctkH52AbHWa7wv8qXUuSkUyew7apAkC9nkHTjTGv7Etpd8QWbZ9LPissiD-zKfVZYd3A3m2rtSYlYjNaXnRSS6nah-SpEc/s400/fire4jpg-e7571905fd6386e3.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">We want you to shut up and listen
because we want to teach you how to stay alive.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">We give you shit because we like you and are testing your resolve!</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">If no one is picking on you early on, you
have reason to be concerned that you are not liked!</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Learn the appropriate time and place to
interject your opinion.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Learn the
appropriate way to accept criticism and plead your case.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Learn and follow how our traditions, chain of
command, and unwritten rules effect how our firehouses run.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Solve problems at the lowest possible level
and lean on your senior firefighters.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Stop being entitled and start working your ass off!</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">We will tell you when you can slow down,
relax, or pass certain responsibilities down; you don’t get to decide on your
own!</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">You will never know everything, you
will never be too good to pick up a mop or wash a dish, and you are only as
good as your entire crew; this isn’t an individual sport!</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">The senior men and officers have already
proven themselves to get to where they are, you are the one who has something
to prove!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">It is really easy to get
discouraged when you are new because it feels like everyone is trying to bring
you down.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Yes, we all have assholes who
love to pick on new guys.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">However, we
also all have all-stars who will point them out to you and are looking out for
you even when you don’t realize it.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">On
the outside it seems like you have more responsibilities than everyone else,
but trust me the rest of the crew does more than you see.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Never forget that every one of us was in your
shoes at some point.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">We know how you
feel, we went through the same things you are, and we grew in our careers by
doing the things I have suggested above.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Never give up, never give in, and never stop learning our craft.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Listen to your superiors, make suggestions or
clarify lessons in an appropriate manner/place, and make sure you learn
something every tour!</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">You are a part of
the greatest job on earth, never forget it no matter how bad things get!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Now it is your turn company
officers, you are not exempt by any means!</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">First and foremost let me congratulate you on being put in what I
consider the best role in the fire service.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">You are directly responsible for leading, shaping, managing, and
teaching firefighters at all levels of your department.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">You have also found yourself in a leadership
role which still allows you the opportunity to get dirty and fight fire.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">You have proven (hopefully) that you are
capable and deserving of such a position.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">In my opinion making company officer is the equivalent of having your
cake and eating it too.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Now in case no
one told you, we all know you have a different color lid and brass, we know you
have a fancy title, and we know you are in charge so quit reminding us every
tour.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">If you have to tell your crew who
is running the show than guess what, you aren’t!</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Get over yourself and your position because you
are simply part of the team.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Your crew
puts the majority of the labor on their shoulders and makes you look good.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Just because they “have” to listen to you
doesn’t mean they will or should.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Your
rank is not an excuse to work less; it is a privilege to work more because you
now work for them, your crew!</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Respect is
earned not given!</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWQzHE8MJMMt7Y_tGAlz0cvNfxdFN3xyddka7QM7_E-0bnO51V5wSWSKWM-HVGm8YkS94G_3_4INBRpeBuB5t0sdDjsaukzTcygKb9i3ZpzCnzF3z-V_yyO9lk7OnfYIFFrVsATwbMjM/s1600/Garniewicz_Bio_Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWQzHE8MJMMt7Y_tGAlz0cvNfxdFN3xyddka7QM7_E-0bnO51V5wSWSKWM-HVGm8YkS94G_3_4INBRpeBuB5t0sdDjsaukzTcygKb9i3ZpzCnzF3z-V_yyO9lk7OnfYIFFrVsATwbMjM/s320/Garniewicz_Bio_Pic.jpg" width="314" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">These new guys are no different
than you were when you came on the job.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Stop pretending that this generation is the end of the fire
service.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">The only thing this generation
is missing is GUIDANCE, and that guidance comes from you! </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">A younger member asking a question is not
being rude or insubordinate; it is them asking you to teach them!</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Stop being an asshole, get off the couch, and
feed them knowledge!</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">If you are fed up with
everyone getting a trophy, STOP HANDING THEM OUT!</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">It is your job to teach them and that
includes when and how it is appropriate to ask questions.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">It is up to you to set the standard for how
things go.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Stop telling them that their opinion
matters and then telling them they have no business giving one.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Either you want their opinion or you don’t.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Regardless of which avenue you choose, they
need to know why and you need to be consistent.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">The only person to blame for an insubordinate crew member is
yourself.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">You have many tools at your disposable
to fix the problem from remediation to a recommendation for termination.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Stop being their friend and be their
boss.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">When things are going bad and they
are forced to tap into their training, they won’t care if you were friendly or
not.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Stop being too proud to learn
something from a first year guy!</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">It is
so disheartening to watch someone with 20 or 30 years on the job throw a temper
tantrum because someone has opposed them or proven another method to be
better.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">If you want the newer members to
recognize your time and experience you cannot act like a toddler every time you
don’t get your way!</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">A great idea is a
great idea regardless of where it comes from. </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">At some point we have got to put down our
pride and do what is best for our crew and community.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">The younger members have access to a vast
amount of information most of us couldn’t have dreamed of when we started.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">While all of the information out there is not
good information, it is our job as company officers to help our people filter
through it and select what is good and what is bad.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">This is done by conducting training
evolutions or discussions and encouraging everyone on the crew to give
input.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">The key is setting the standard
for when it is appropriate to speak up and when it is not.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42dMB7vqG2p4f1VMVDAOsl8VwTrePh8CLrmdotLoC9_p9XbhEBMCSHVEU6zyar699HtoXRu3o_5-eJIFZl5jf3wEPkHzl-Aeis5Cg_CixIftDV3jRA5ZfbkeCJWL5QtVpay-tRDVZouU/s1600/training-culture-2_11308313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42dMB7vqG2p4f1VMVDAOsl8VwTrePh8CLrmdotLoC9_p9XbhEBMCSHVEU6zyar699HtoXRu3o_5-eJIFZl5jf3wEPkHzl-Aeis5Cg_CixIftDV3jRA5ZfbkeCJWL5QtVpay-tRDVZouU/s320/training-culture-2_11308313.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I am
sorry but I simply don’t agree with the “everyone is a leader” flavor of the
month.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">I think everyone can have a great
idea, but without followers there is no such thing as leaders.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">I believe in setting up systems and
procedures which groom and promote leaders.</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">The right people in the right positions know how to grow new
firefighters into senior firefighters, and eventually company officers.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">If your company officers are honoring their
leadership role you shouldn’t need leaders at every level.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Don’t misinterpret the message of this article;
anyone in any position can make a positive impact and improve the team.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">However, where we are falling short as an
occupation is how we extract these ideas and implement them.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Find ways to allow your junior members to be
involved but still understand their role and place in the crew and chain of
command.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Furnish methods and training
which allow their ideas to be attempted but also show them the other methods
you have learned along the way.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Give
credit where credit is due and remember, just because you are the company
officer does not mean you are always right or always have the best way.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">The key is dictating when and how your crew
can go about making suggestions. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">I am
pretty open with my crew, but they also know the situations where what I say goes without
question.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Figure out what works for
your crew!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Everyone reaches a point in their career where their head
gets a little too big for their lid and position. I have been there many times in my career and
have been fortunate enough to find the advice and experience of some great
mentors along the way who have kept my passion and motivation on the right
course. It is up to us to stop whining
about the way things are going and start implementing solutions to get them
back on track. Never forget that we
operate with a chain of command for a reason.
I see too many places that are showing up with individuals and using freelancing
as their primary tactic hidden under the guise of limited manpower. With fires down in many corners of the
country, it is more important than ever to make sure we are operating as one
cohesive team when a working run comes in!
It all starts with setting a standard and developing your people from
day one!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
The Fire Insidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08486289357172219824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593851535504922823.post-30775268400696786802016-12-11T10:06:00.002-08:002016-12-11T11:19:42.559-08:00Navigating Successful Change<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cf09FR8LEQ1Tb7hyshq4gb2XRk_eik8cCjk1uqMw-EB-p9hPq_SbEAo6ZMhVZCiMxWpVpzZq3ZC-IxvgdC_aaQ4b0P13EkvFmuhsHnv-sXWE0OxWkEvZLzHR3MwRbN6LIljFWljvHpY/s1600/15304650_669897693174238_3193467871704694369_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cf09FR8LEQ1Tb7hyshq4gb2XRk_eik8cCjk1uqMw-EB-p9hPq_SbEAo6ZMhVZCiMxWpVpzZq3ZC-IxvgdC_aaQ4b0P13EkvFmuhsHnv-sXWE0OxWkEvZLzHR3MwRbN6LIljFWljvHpY/s320/15304650_669897693174238_3193467871704694369_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">A week or so ago I posted this picture and I had so much
that I wanted to say about it that it wouldn’t have been feasible to do so in a
single post. I haven’t written a blog
post in a while so I figured this would be a great opportunity to do so. My motivation for this picture was the
increase in messages I have been receiving through the page. Interacting with the followers of the page is
my favorite part of doing this, so please keep the messages coming! I have been getting a few messages here and
there where people tell me what the page has done for their passion, how
frustrated they are with what goes on in their own department, or that the page
has been able to put many of their feelings into words. These interactions started making my brain
spin about what I write on the page versus what I am able to accomplish in my
own department.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">First and foremost I think we all need to understand that
EVERY fire department in America is the same in different ways. We all have motivated people, unmotivated
people, good rules, bad rules, guys who are great at the job, guys who aren’t
so great at the job, problems, solutions, and every gray area in between. What makes us different is the way each of
those components influence and create the culture within our firehouses. It is very easy to look at someone else’s situation
or operation and draw conclusions about your own. It is also very easy to become discouraged
when what they are doing doesn’t necessarily work in your agency.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">It is much easier to tell others what needs to be done than
make it happen yourself. Telling someone
to stop accepting the bullshit or implement a huge change may be the right
advice, but can be extremely difficult to accomplish depending on the
environment that individual is working in.
“The road to success is easier to navigate when plotted on another man’s
map” is something I came up with when thinking about all the advice that is out
there. Simply put, it is easier to fix
someone else’s problems than your own.
Sure it is easy to get on social media or correspond with a colleague in
another agency and solve the problems of other departments, but how does it
translate to your department? One of the
most difficult parts of affecting change is trying to figure out how to
manipulate the advice, passion, and ideas you receive from others into a
product that will work in your own organization. I frequently feel like a hypocrite when I
write things on the page that I am unable to change in my own department. However, there is a massive difference
between saying and not doing versus trying and not succeeding. Every tour I strive to make some sort of
positive change whether it is in my department, on my shift, within my crew, or
in the community.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlozAOIaZ3IUbhh1dBv2RFBeaaWVmoPzODHaKhhHLpAgTLfBYwAnZSViObGSwFfuOq7PSz2fQ0eyhNjDloVWEBDasmZ8r3DAhx4D46boVjZ1gYg-GEIk4o3fTIkXYEX-Mn37Lplr8UC08/s1600/p-5209-atl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlozAOIaZ3IUbhh1dBv2RFBeaaWVmoPzODHaKhhHLpAgTLfBYwAnZSViObGSwFfuOq7PSz2fQ0eyhNjDloVWEBDasmZ8r3DAhx4D46boVjZ1gYg-GEIk4o3fTIkXYEX-Mn37Lplr8UC08/s320/p-5209-atl.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">When our craft becomes how you make a living, there are certainly
limitations on how hard you can fight depending on your rank and
influence. We must test the waters and
push the limits while ensuring we do so with enough respect and mindfulness to
prevent us from being terminated for our efforts. Pushing for improvement in a manner which
costs you your career does not solve any problems but rather creates much
larger ones! There is no road map or
fastest route to making change in your organization. The most influential people of a field are
called pioneers for a reason; they forged their own paths. The best course of action is to find
acceptable ways to make an impact and exploit them until you wear the opposition
down.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the most exhausting parts of trying to change things
is preaching to the choir. The majority
of us have a somewhat limited sphere of influence.
You will likely spend most of your time sharing ideas with
people who have a similar outlook. This
is because those who oppose you don’t want to hear it. However, j</span><span style="font-size: large;">ust like a real choir, the more you preach the more people will join your cause. Influence as many people as possible and watch the culture of passion spread. Just be sure you are realistic about the time it may take to see results. Not every change has to be a huge one. Sometimes many small changes end up creating a larger change in the end. </span><span style="font-size: large;">While it is true that change can start at the
bottom, it certainly gains much more traction when it is started and supported
on the top. The power associated with
our top ranks generally aids in the successful implementation of cultural
changes in many cases. Regardless
of the larger impact, the most important thing is changing what you can and
influencing others to change the things you can’t whenever you are given the
opportunity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisucqO_IQr0RYBvep-jHSqIGgaLHwyQtcJYbpXcWiBea9uQU-HCbgOX0FKFJwYUAOqN7BirnQHtmdBsQXRkIfoypynP-M3CeerESxU9V-5nAZZhN5yba8AnN08bvZc8Rkg82q29d-EBdg/s1600/b664f04de5c35ad424a19b778995e76d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisucqO_IQr0RYBvep-jHSqIGgaLHwyQtcJYbpXcWiBea9uQU-HCbgOX0FKFJwYUAOqN7BirnQHtmdBsQXRkIfoypynP-M3CeerESxU9V-5nAZZhN5yba8AnN08bvZc8Rkg82q29d-EBdg/s320/b664f04de5c35ad424a19b778995e76d.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisucqO_IQr0RYBvep-jHSqIGgaLHwyQtcJYbpXcWiBea9uQU-HCbgOX0FKFJwYUAOqN7BirnQHtmdBsQXRkIfoypynP-M3CeerESxU9V-5nAZZhN5yba8AnN08bvZc8Rkg82q29d-EBdg/s1600/b664f04de5c35ad424a19b778995e76d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">It is extremely discouraging to dedicate yourself to making your organization better only to have those efforts rejected by the other members. When you are passionate and
outspoken, you can unfortunately end up with a target on your back. People will pounce on every opportunity to
mock, correct, or punish you because what you believe makes them uncomfortable. You have to be prepared for the resentment
and abuse pushing for change can bring. This
normally has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them. Most people do not like change and those who
are insecure about themselves like it even less. Usually, they have learned to hide behind the
status quo and are scared their flaws will be exposed if change is implemented. <o:p></o:p>Sometimes you will have to burn bridges, but we often build better ones in their place!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrf3DxFwedHOfeIuHtSzkLESBz_rmf5DRw0Io5V2q38dAMycozpcolS-ebWUBNMLnccbC99_25-TjYftLNBrlapyj_q7Y5G8U9GMAFTbE4LgHaT5X1Ezsipy_X1un2lVmZ2L-l7fbDlg/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrf3DxFwedHOfeIuHtSzkLESBz_rmf5DRw0Io5V2q38dAMycozpcolS-ebWUBNMLnccbC99_25-TjYftLNBrlapyj_q7Y5G8U9GMAFTbE4LgHaT5X1Ezsipy_X1un2lVmZ2L-l7fbDlg/s320/maxresdefault.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">Being passionate can be a lonely place depending on the
people you are surrounded by. This doesn’t
mean you have to give up it simply means you have to pick your battles. While making friends is not a primary mission
of our profession, we still have to be able to work with each other and
sometimes that means you must get creative with how you apply your passion to
our craft. Brush off what you can and
enlist the help and support of like-minded people for the things you cannot. While I think it is complete bullshit we
sometimes have to dumb down our passion, it is an unfortunate reality of the
current state of the fire service.
Remember, if you push so hard they shut down you will never be
successful at changing things for the better.
We all wish we could take the highway but the road of the passionate is
usually the scenic route.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I think the most impactful thing I have learned since taking
on this endeavor is that there are fellow firefighters all over the place that
are simply refreshed to hear someone tell them it is okay to love the job. There is such a lack of passion and commitment
across the board that many of our brothers and sisters are simply relieved to
read and hear that there are those of us out there who agree with them. They are empowered to continue fighting
knowing that they are not alone. In many
ways they rely on posts, books, and speakers to reinforce their passion and
beliefs as a way to stay motivated. This
is why it is imperative we continue to communicate, influence, and support
each other!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">While it may be easier for someone to offer ways to fix the problems of
departments other than their own, don’t take the advice in vain. It will always be easier to interject your
opinion on matters which do not directly affect you. This does not make their advice or beliefs any
less valuable, it simply means that the perspective and environment will
greatly influence how those ideas are or are not implemented in your own
agency. The goal should always be to
implement as many positive changes as possible in your department. However, don’t be discouraged if it is not as
simple as a post or class may make it seem! The reality of the situation, which I have
learned from interacting with followers of the page, is that regardless of what
you can do in your own department, your advice can and will help others.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
The Fire Insidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08486289357172219824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593851535504922823.post-232199627758645752016-09-22T20:54:00.000-07:002016-09-23T03:56:32.491-07:00Community Investment<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ask any of the hundreds of firefighters who have entered our
trade over the past 5 years who the number one priority is during emergency
operations. I bet they tell you it is
them. Ask them who comes next. It will likely be their crew. I would also be willing to bet they will list
the victims in 3<sup>rd</sup>; still a podium position but not by much. Now ask yourself what is wrong with this
picture?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiW_umbkT_TW-OszLHdbNwUoNDFXYgZ6Y7-zo1kk-Dz4cgb9z_XZp6cUI3Ymf5zTaVpdutQ2QYfhCz_4O4ggy_NAL8QihRPSZ-SvYBfrYQBiyvcH0qDHNfNGZ9OpP-vsrisd_Ocp5UvZo/s1600/CRH_4080-721x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiW_umbkT_TW-OszLHdbNwUoNDFXYgZ6Y7-zo1kk-Dz4cgb9z_XZp6cUI3Ymf5zTaVpdutQ2QYfhCz_4O4ggy_NAL8QihRPSZ-SvYBfrYQBiyvcH0qDHNfNGZ9OpP-vsrisd_Ocp5UvZo/s200/CRH_4080-721x1024.jpg" width="140" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">When I came into the fire service 10 years ago it was a
transitional period in firefighting culture just as it was in society. I fall between two very distinct generations
for both. Fortunately, I was indoctrinated
in our craft by a lot of old skool firemen who had served their community, as
well as their country, for decades before I came along. The main thing that generation taught me was the
importance of serving the community. Fast forward to today and we have
recruits coming out of the fire academy telling everyone they come first as
their safety is paramount to anything else that happens on any incident scene. The really unfortunate part of all of this is
MY generation and the older generations are the ones teaching them this
crap! If only it was that </span><span style="font-size: large;">black and
white!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I believe it is pretty simple, if you want the community to
invest in your department than you must put them first! Somewhere along our quest to reduce the
number of line of duty deaths we began teaching and justifying putting our
safety above the victims and that is just plain wrong. None of us should be going on suicide
missions but rather we should be smart, well trained, aggressive firefighters
who will search every survivable space possible. We must also be proficient in the delivery of
EMS, rescue, HazMat, and whatever other endeavors your department took on to
justify its existence when the percentage of fires decreased. I still can’t wrap my head around the fact
that we became so good at fire prevention and codes that we felt taking on
other roles would make us more justifiable than our track record, but that is a
topic for another day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">It is not uncommon to hear people suggest that their
community just doesn’t get it. Sadly
there are communities that literally do not support their fire department. How could this be? Well, perhaps you first need to look at what
you, your company, and your department does to instill trust and support from
your citizens. I firmly believe that the
community would rather see its firefighters out and about doing things rather
than see their million dollar fire engines parked in their multi-million dollar
firehouses 24/7! I have been told I am
wrong about this but I fail to accept that.
If the citizens are willing to invest that type of money in a service,
especially one they hopefully never need to use, they at least want to see some
return on their investment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhdRiHNw6oLCGUV2SwttrDkvtEIJ4xPmQPNJ1s47-0IrWSvceeazieGtZEQZW1X4Sd6DFvrEU3BXet3-eFp563-aVq3MM4c2QpqCiQxTDZ5y4DkhWpYIdKpkLva6NNFh0s4JZe9MAOrg/s1600/IMG_0799-400x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhdRiHNw6oLCGUV2SwttrDkvtEIJ4xPmQPNJ1s47-0IrWSvceeazieGtZEQZW1X4Sd6DFvrEU3BXet3-eFp563-aVq3MM4c2QpqCiQxTDZ5y4DkhWpYIdKpkLva6NNFh0s4JZe9MAOrg/s320/IMG_0799-400x300.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">So how can you give them a return without directly providing
them the service of emergency <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">mitigation? GET OUT AND INTERACT WITH THEM! Take your crew to the grocery store each tour
and meet people who live and work in your coverage area. Don’t act like parolees; take the time to
have a dialogue with your citizens because they will almost ALWAYS ask
questions about you and the department.
You would be surprised how many don’t realize our tour schedule, if we
are career/volunteer, that we do more than fight fires, or even that we pay for our groceries with our own money! This are all questions I have been asked personally why at the store. This is a great time to educate
the community or even assist them with loading groceries, pumping gas, or
anything else that may come up. The
little stuff matters when it comes to community relations!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Always keep PR materials on your apparatus. Pamphlets, smoke detectors, and stuff for the
kids are always useful, especially when you are out interacting with your customers. That big red fire engine we call our office
seems to have its own gravitational pull with our citizens, especially the
younger ones. I think I have done more
fire safety education and PR from random visits to local businesses
than I ever have from scheduled events.
None of which would have occurred if we are parked in the engine bay all
day!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47oZusmZyz6fNlodcOL6KP0K329-DzcIxDFhpfS_NXujiZQ2fZP5GiNgHIAwi6RYToOWVS-o0L3o8zoBdTsyrZMYgDEFKMHC6jVjbw-EJNRaDvD3-X7hzJFn2TIi0aIJfEwkOJ3H9vIA/s1600/Co5MOvzUsAEiCKz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47oZusmZyz6fNlodcOL6KP0K329-DzcIxDFhpfS_NXujiZQ2fZP5GiNgHIAwi6RYToOWVS-o0L3o8zoBdTsyrZMYgDEFKMHC6jVjbw-EJNRaDvD3-X7hzJFn2TIi0aIJfEwkOJ3H9vIA/s1600/Co5MOvzUsAEiCKz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47oZusmZyz6fNlodcOL6KP0K329-DzcIxDFhpfS_NXujiZQ2fZP5GiNgHIAwi6RYToOWVS-o0L3o8zoBdTsyrZMYgDEFKMHC6jVjbw-EJNRaDvD3-X7hzJFn2TIi0aIJfEwkOJ3H9vIA/s320/Co5MOvzUsAEiCKz.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Take your crew training in public places; the citizens are
usually amazed to see the things we can do.
Find public locations such as schools, parks, etc. where you will not be
trespassing and pull some lines or throw some ladders. Educate the public about why we train so much and
how utilizing different training locations better prepares us for any situation
we may encounter. I bet they will listen
and even thank you for your hard work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The perception of your crew and your department is what you
make of it. Understand that you will
NEVER please everyone. There is always
going to be someone who doesn’t think we should be at the store, out of the
station, or training on school property.
Respectfully accept their criticism and continue with whatever activity
you are working on. At the end of the
day you are going to do more good than harm.
Go the extra mile to assist the public in both emergency and
non-emergency situati</span>ons<span style="font-size: large;">. Check on broke
down vehicles, changes tires, play basketball or football with the neighborhood
kids, and wave to everyone you pass as your ride around in the rig. Life is so much easier with a community that
supports us! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJpxMMNdXKWgboGpUtJ3UEKKDvYo0LK5UsCHFzlpDx-pNalBrR16vzcjWffcwH4LxekC2K9KBkJxYPrBKYg6hiW8XXsIkCruuGJDkqt97J7kIIFn4sZMw5wS4oTIO248_RH2Lqsg-h-0/s1600/471738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJpxMMNdXKWgboGpUtJ3UEKKDvYo0LK5UsCHFzlpDx-pNalBrR16vzcjWffcwH4LxekC2K9KBkJxYPrBKYg6hiW8XXsIkCruuGJDkqt97J7kIIFn4sZMw5wS4oTIO248_RH2Lqsg-h-0/s400/471738.jpg" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">Make sure everyone on your crew understands that our
customers, the citizens, will ALWAYS come </span><span style="font-size: large;">FIRST! They pay for your salary, equipment,
stations, and apparatus. They are
invested in us and we owe it to them to be invested in them! If don't agree perhaps there is another division of the government you can lateral to or
another occupation you have been looking for a reason to start. To say you come first goes against every oath
and ethos I have ever seen related to our trade. Frankly, it is just purely unacceptable and
not an attitude I want on my crew. So
please, go put yourself first somewhere else while the rest of us get back to
SERVING our community!</span></div>
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The Fire Insidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08486289357172219824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593851535504922823.post-59169148533787722002016-08-17T11:26:00.005-07:002016-08-17T16:35:55.730-07:00The Cost of Criticism<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hM867pt1h7oy8UeXSdUELCxDg9JMeFa9sJomNHOlxHVh98h8-mx1oIO78S1zwj2MBtYE3Nm7r5-fEmG70mqY9Mna90ur0HK43_MvN6KGAp4Gy6FK2f21Tfujifwrw2xu4P2T4CbNQ6o/s1600/training-culture-2_11308313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hM867pt1h7oy8UeXSdUELCxDg9JMeFa9sJomNHOlxHVh98h8-mx1oIO78S1zwj2MBtYE3Nm7r5-fEmG70mqY9Mna90ur0HK43_MvN6KGAp4Gy6FK2f21Tfujifwrw2xu4P2T4CbNQ6o/s320/training-culture-2_11308313.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Humbleness and humility are essential qualities of the
modern fire service leader. It is a
shame we don’t touch more on them in leadership courses as they are huge parts
of leading a team. The modern fire
officer must have the ability to admit they are wrong, both to administration
and subordinates. It is crucial to
gaining the respect of your crew that you are not too arrogant or entitled to
use yourself as an example when appropriate.
While your goal should be to not make mistakes, they are going to
happen. Failure is one of the best tools
for improvement as it keeps us on our toes and pushes us to train harder and do
better. Humility also lets your crew
know that you aren’t full of crap. The
wealth of information at everyone’s fingertips has essentially created the end
of the “because I said so” days. In
reality, those days should have been over long ago. As I have previously discussed there is a
time and a place for unwavering orders and training is simply not one of
them. The goal of training should be to
hone your team’s skills and grow as a crew.
This is the time for your crew to ask how and why. This is the time for the officer to answer
these questions. If this is not
accomplished during training evolutions, it will spill over to the fireground
where there is no time or place for it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the worst things that can happen to a young officer
is harsh criticism of the way he or she is training their crew. There is a difference between constructive
criticism and attempting to belittle someone just to feel superior. The effects of such actions are negative for both
the sender and the receiver of the hostility.
I have been told such reactions to young officers teaching different
methods are because older members are threatened. While I cannot discount this assessment I
have to wonder, why someone of equal or greater rank with a significantly
longer tenure would possibly be threatened by a junior officer. Regardless of the reason, the how is more
important than the why under these circumstances. It is the how that can have a seriously detrimental
effect on upcoming officers and the department for years to come. The only things that will occur from such
tirades are a crew who does not respect their senior officer and a junior
officer who will likely be unconfident in his or her abilities. We need more mentors to teach our personnel how to operate in their new role rather than the berate them with what they are doing wrong!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRSDTFV2KutRWzTU75vM4_xHOZ7yxtrgJ7YxxHVpCQMTZqd5_ziLU0owr13Dytl026F3iRcgrg76brrJL13KbVwbJnNRH96umQwJ5hqJ-BBb_HHHlBclo7aKS-euucSdonaM5nBDZ6CY/s1600/TrainingConversation1000px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRSDTFV2KutRWzTU75vM4_xHOZ7yxtrgJ7YxxHVpCQMTZqd5_ziLU0owr13Dytl026F3iRcgrg76brrJL13KbVwbJnNRH96umQwJ5hqJ-BBb_HHHlBclo7aKS-euucSdonaM5nBDZ6CY/s320/TrainingConversation1000px.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">When I was in my first year as an acting officer in charge I
made the mistake of correcting my <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">subordinate in an embarrassing manner in front
of multiple people during a training evolution.
What I did was wrong and something that I had been conditioned to think
was normal. A Lieutenant pulled me aside
and explained to me how I was the only one that looked stupid in the
situation. He also asked me how I would
feel if he was doing to me what I had just done to my subordinate. What a huge wakeup call and important
lesson! Mentoring at its finest! He went on to explain to me that when your
subordinates are doing the wrong thing, you are the one who looks bad. You look even worse when you embarrass them
for messing up because you are ultimately responsible for how they
operate. He was absolutely right. I tell this story to demonstrate my humility
which has taken me years to find. I
screw up more often than I would like to admit and have learned that being up
front about your shortcomings goes a long way with your crew. It also puts a quick stop to outside
criticism as owning your mistakes leaves nowhere for others to go. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Where there real issue lies is in situations where you aren’t
wrong and have only been perceived by others to have screwed up. Perhaps it involves a new tactic you learned
at a class or you are teaching a method which wasn’t around 20 years ago. Outsiders will often inject themselves into
your training evolution in a negative manner which not only interrupts the
training session but also demeans that officer running it. This is completely UNACCEPTABLE! The cost of such actions is chipping away at
the confidence of new or young officers.
The implications will eventually lead to second guessing and poor
decision making out of fear of reprimand or mistreatment. There is no reason to make anyone feel
inferior in front of their crew. If
there is a real or perceived safety issue, it should be discussed to the side
and out of earshot from other members of the training session. Also learn to accept that not everyone will
agree on everything and doing something different doesn’t mean it is being done
wrong! Obviously I have been on the
wrong end of these situations and I am going to try and use my experiences to
stop it from happening to others. Many new
officers are met with harsh criticism which may or may not be accurate. As a group, the fire service is HORRIBLE
about accepting new information or tactics.
As with most things in life, the older we get the more we are set in our
ways. However, that is not an acceptable
practice in our trade as it continues to evolve. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTH2Uprs-_PTC42fkBsDVfNie6SpoTUHJj-B3HQ-czlabBiXxT6WqGf0FzbtYIqviT4ET5DcbtaaEmraPiQgZwDhgDhlVtQsEZY8gG_62yuHNOzi8M0LmFV2yd-Q-9CTMlkka_IjiB8QE/s1600/extCY11DNQF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTH2Uprs-_PTC42fkBsDVfNie6SpoTUHJj-B3HQ-czlabBiXxT6WqGf0FzbtYIqviT4ET5DcbtaaEmraPiQgZwDhgDhlVtQsEZY8gG_62yuHNOzi8M0LmFV2yd-Q-9CTMlkka_IjiB8QE/s320/extCY11DNQF.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you are new officer meeting such resistance, just
remember to stick to your guns and do what is right. Attend as many classes and conferences as
possible to learn our craft from those who take is seriously rather than from those
who take from the job yet never give back.
There will be times those who work against you are right. You have to be willing to accept and
recognize these moments as part of your path to humility. There will also be many times where they are
wrong and this is where you need to prepare to feel lonely and beat up. Push through, be the wave of change that
breaks the sea of content. Don’t let
people put you down or belittle you.
Only you have the power to hold your head up high and push through their
nonsense. I struggle with this on a
daily basis. The main reason I run my
page and write these blogs to let others know they are not alone. While it hurts to be hated, in some cases it
means you are winning because they are talking about you and the changes you
are trying to make. The ladder to the
top isn’t at an ideal angle, it requires smart and steady climbing. Pace yourself as you suppress ignorance and
better you crew and your department. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
The Fire Insidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08486289357172219824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593851535504922823.post-34392947372285715102016-07-28T14:46:00.000-07:002016-07-28T14:46:11.564-07:00Knowledge Is Power<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">We have all heard the saying knowledge is power. It refers to increasing your ability to
control situations by having as much knowledge as possible. This includes knowledge gained from formal
education as well as that which is gained from experience. Obviously formal knowledge
coupled with experience is the best scenario for creating well rounded
individuals who excel at problem solving. A well educated, experienced firefighter is
one that is able to rapidly make critical decisions. While knowledge is an overwhelmingly positive
attribute I have also noticed over the years that knowledge seems to be used as
weapon as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">All of us had different levels of knowledge when we entered
the fire service. Some of us were hands
on learners, some were book learners, and some excelled at both. Those who enter our ranks come from all walks
of life, different jobs, and various levels of education. Regardless, when it came to our craft we all
had a lot to learn. This learning is
where I am noticing a large generational disconnect in our occupation. The older generation seems to think the
younger generation doesn’t know anything, while the younger generation seems to
think the older generation doesn’t want to teach them. Both sides have a valid argument as I have
discussed before but for the purpose of this article I will discuss how
withholding information is being used as a control mechanism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Everyone wants to be the go to person for something. It is a source of pride and accomplishment to
be an expert on a topic and rightfully so.
However, this can be accomplished without locking your knowledge away in
your own personal vault. Firefighting is
a team sport. I highly doubt the New
York Giants put the offense on the field and only give the quarterback the
playbook. If you don’t share your
knowledge with the rest of your department, that’s exactly what you are doing. While there are situations, mainly with
administrative functions, where information cannot be shared most information
should flow freely with your peers. Sharing
knowledge makes the whole team stronger.
You may be surprised what you can learn from someone else as well!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaLAMn8g1burSllYf3XtfFXAMFyR7SRgHvarvp2dsmhLIBDeqD0BSjSg1LAhagAwJ7ckVJCZFGVb6v0kQPd9GFzHWPruVHq0sO2NJtm0G22SmNr9H0zyLwR1LmedkCUIxzIYCprNDhTM/s1600/CRH_4080-721x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaLAMn8g1burSllYf3XtfFXAMFyR7SRgHvarvp2dsmhLIBDeqD0BSjSg1LAhagAwJ7ckVJCZFGVb6v0kQPd9GFzHWPruVHq0sO2NJtm0G22SmNr9H0zyLwR1LmedkCUIxzIYCprNDhTM/s320/CRH_4080-721x1024.jpg" width="225" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">We have all heard the accounts of first year guys who don’t
know how to start a chainsaw, mop a floor, or cut the grass. For the majority of my generation and those
that came before me these skills were learned at a young age. It can be difficult to comprehend that kids
are simply not taught “life skills” anymore.
Blame the schools, blame the parents, or blame society but it will not
change the outcome. You can also blame
the fire service because I have heard multiple accounts of senior guys or
officers who refuse to teach these skills.
Instead they ridicule these poor kids for not knowing but then push them
away when they ask for instruction. You
can’t hold people accountable for things they were never taught.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Think about how information is shared in your agency. Do people readily share information or do you
frequently find things out after the fact?
Unfortunately, many agencies seem to withhold information until
something goes wrong or pressure is applied to divulge it. I don’t see the value of not sending relevant
information down the chain to the guys in the street. Your officers need to know when a new target
hazard comes to their area. Your
engineers need to know about road closures before the day they happen. Your firefighters need to know how to deploy
a new hose load before it is put on the rig.
How on earth does not passing along this information help anyone?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I get extremely perturbed when someone answers a question by
saying it is none of your business, you don’t have to worry about that, that’s above
your paygrade, etc. I become even more
enraged when someone of rank or seniority selects this type of response. It appears to me that some are a little
insecure about sharing their knowledge because they think they will no longer
be useful. If this is the case, you
probably weren’t all that useful to begin with.
I think this perception is based
on those with time on who STOP learning and then get passed over because they
became stagnant. Sharing knowledge didn’t
cause this, ceasing to acquire new knowledge did. Refusing to share what you know with the next
generation will probably not help you move through the ranks either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have also seen people try to be the only one who knows
something in an effort to move up in the organization. What is it about knowledge that makes people think
it can be used as a bargaining chip when it comes time for a better assignment
or promotion? If the only time you show
what you know is in a promotional board, you won’t likely make the cut anyways. I am unable to grasp how someone of time
and/or rank could think that passing along what they know would cause them to
be passed over for promotion. When is
the last time a firefighter was step promoted because someone shared information
with him? When is the last time you heard of a Captain who was reduced back to
firefighter because he shared his knowledge?
I bet you never have. On a side
note, if your department is taking away rank and giving it to subordinates who knowledge
was shared with let me know. I would
love to do a case study and then write a book about it because you are probably
the only department on earth using this practice!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">You could be withholding without knowing it as well. Do you have an apartment complex that
requires a specific hose layout? Do you
have a piece of equipment that requires a specific procedure to operate? Do you know how to use a computer program
others don’t? Did you learn a new tactic
at a conference or class? Do you have
knowledge of an area or complex others don’t?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, have you shared this
information? If not, you are abusing the
power of your knowledge. I don’t care
how monumental that new forcible entry technique is, if you aren’t teaching
others how to do it as well then you are holding us back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSO6m4aqN6sB9O2v5tDvpA26e5WLWqZhuWuV_cESZicMYRdhaETPywErivVXbdf653X8s4362Soe6UisymkvCYzK4oKXbUdROXWDaZjlfh_MMrH2pv6xFltjU892tpj6C6C-OlXVu3-l4/s1600/e280a2-combs-social.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSO6m4aqN6sB9O2v5tDvpA26e5WLWqZhuWuV_cESZicMYRdhaETPywErivVXbdf653X8s4362Soe6UisymkvCYzK4oKXbUdROXWDaZjlfh_MMrH2pv6xFltjU892tpj6C6C-OlXVu3-l4/s320/e280a2-combs-social.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit to the amazing Paul Combs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The next time you learn something new see if your crew knows
what you do. Share it with your second
and third due companies, the other shifts, and anyone you think has the
potential to benefit from your knowledge.
You don’t need 20 years on the job to teach someone something new! Ask questions often and soak up as much
knowledge as you can. Force those with
more time than you to share they knowledge they have acquired over their career
because they won’t be here forever. Remember,
once you hang up your gear for the final time, the opportunity to pass on your
knowledge has expired. The only person who looks bad when you withhold
information is you. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
The Fire Insidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08486289357172219824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593851535504922823.post-5038285522151746092016-07-25T16:28:00.001-07:002016-07-25T16:28:28.881-07:00Say Goodbye To Your Good Guys<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tO_gZ2lLunFohjv0JrVlLeYwio4pe6TkB8O2g5zYM5iplabF1aAlOXBLHJimArxNNSuMiOXs8lX-Qgil3qbwAGSe6XLjRdfIUgJjaU6hBUX8glM0l4IOOGQMMQygE2sFmxWNC-CFAus/s1600/FB_IMG_1424532785034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tO_gZ2lLunFohjv0JrVlLeYwio4pe6TkB8O2g5zYM5iplabF1aAlOXBLHJimArxNNSuMiOXs8lX-Qgil3qbwAGSe6XLjRdfIUgJjaU6hBUX8glM0l4IOOGQMMQygE2sFmxWNC-CFAus/s320/FB_IMG_1424532785034.jpg" width="319" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> I have
been told my whole career that I cannot expect everyone to love the job the way
I do and to that I say blasphemy. While
this may not be a practical expectation, it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be one. There are a lot of things which tear at the
fabric of a fire department and for that matter the fire service in general. One of the big ones, which few want to talk
about, is the acceptance of employees who joined our occupation out of need for
a job rather than any type of calling. This
also exists in the volunteer ranks with those who came to hang out and get a
cool T-shirt but contribute squat to the department. While that may be harsh, I firmly believe
that our craft is more than just a job and needs to be treated as such in order
to operate at a level which will provide the appropriate level of safety to our
citizens. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">We have
all wor</span><span style="font-size: large;">ked around underachievers, less talented individuals, and those who
simply never should have been hired. In
many cases the deficiencies with these employees are blatantly obvious and
easily dealt with. A more dangerous type
of employee is the one that doesn’t necessarily seem deficient at face
value. I refer to these employees as “good
guys.” Too often people use the term good
guy as a cover for those in our ranks who have no business sharing our craft. If you have never paid attention to how this
term is used, I suggest you start now. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocaxij-gVaH3FqA5HxoHmwLuAug8VZsaYBFm1tKtLsERbX6eA69e_kApIeTPkeXOj0eME74mI3NkX3qULc5hjT4yPilhrffmv4aXaHmhvip7-Mow4jmJWLYca7_6T6QTU5D6nJopy0JQ/s1600/Rescue-Me-TV-s02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocaxij-gVaH3FqA5HxoHmwLuAug8VZsaYBFm1tKtLsERbX6eA69e_kApIeTPkeXOj0eME74mI3NkX3qULc5hjT4yPilhrffmv4aXaHmhvip7-Mow4jmJWLYca7_6T6QTU5D6nJopy0JQ/s320/Rescue-Me-TV-s02.jpg" width="319" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Normally if someone is referred to
as good guy it is sort of a polite insult.
Being a good guy generally means you are likely nice, pleasant, and mean
well but no one can find anything job related to describe you in a positive
manner. Good guys usually don’t bring
any type of operational value to the team and are content to show up and
collect their check and benefits. In
other cases they freelance or perform other dangerous acts on the fireground
which are accepted because they are nice people. Essentially, the term good guy is a
politically correct tool for describing individuals who are liked on a personal
level but don’t seem to bring any specific value to the job. Think good and hard about what is said when describing
those whom you really look up to. You might
hear things like great nozzleman, incredible pump operator, great leader, mentor,
etc. What you will not hear is yeah, he
is a good guy. Now think of the people
you have heard referred to as good guys.
I bet they are more useful for borrowing a tool, hobbies, or working on
your vehicle than they are firefighting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The real challenge with good guys
is that they are often able to hide, unnoticed, until they slip through the
cracks and advance to a point where they are exposed. They don’t seem to make any waves, they will
usually maintain the minimum standard, and aren’t usually the topic of many
conversations. Since most find
commonalities with the rest of the team unrelated to the job, their lack of
contribution can go unnoticed for a long period of time. Now I would never insult someone for being a
good person, but that alone doesn’t qualify you as valuable to my fire
service. Frankly I am tired of hearing
about these types of people gumming up our ranks and delaying a return to a
fire service that is full of pride, passion, and skill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Another problem with good guys is
that they are often well liked by middle and upper management. This is generally because they don’t make
waves but also could be due to a previous friendship, family relationship, or
because they were recommended by someone trusted by management. This can make them especially hard to deal
with in a traditional manner as they may be protected from corrective action
depending on the culture and processes of your department.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Fortunately, not all good guys are
a lost cause. Many of them can be
converted into passionate, contributing members of the fire service. This conversion starts with <b>strong leadership</b> at the company
level. These individuals need company
officers who are prepared to put in the extra time and effort it will take to
evoke enthusiasm and passion in personnel who may not be self-motivated. Sign them up for classes and conferences,
make the training area your second home, and reinforce all the wonderful things
about the fire service that make you love it.
Do whatever you can within the acceptable limits of your SOPs to either
develop these individuals or help them realize that there are other lines of
work which offer similar pay and benefits but require less personal investment. Many good guys will find other employment on
their own if you force them to be firemen every day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzitjXuSKOGJg6ZKLVY5G5rbg6y52ZKp9YWPRC-ANI2guoIGl27VhdG7nPQPXQ3fQl-PoGoC-9iiw9G5MEQWdb4zuNZY5TaG9zsUEs8jqewHOEUaHKw7htD25RpNX53wk847-OccB2FEA/s1600/chorizo-fireman-trainee-435280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzitjXuSKOGJg6ZKLVY5G5rbg6y52ZKp9YWPRC-ANI2guoIGl27VhdG7nPQPXQ3fQl-PoGoC-9iiw9G5MEQWdb4zuNZY5TaG9zsUEs8jqewHOEUaHKw7htD25RpNX53wk847-OccB2FEA/s320/chorizo-fireman-trainee-435280.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">You can call me a lot of things,
but if you really want to piss me off refer to me as a “good guy” when speaking
of me to others. As far as I am
concerned that is a derogatory comment and will be treated as such. If you describe me as a good guy you will see
me rapidly grab some equipment and start doing something to change your
mind. Remember good guys aren’t bad people;
they just don’t always belong in the fire service. Kindly help them find their passion or guide
them to the door. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
The Fire Insidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08486289357172219824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593851535504922823.post-79992585684352013012016-07-17T16:10:00.001-07:002016-07-17T18:59:31.382-07:00Fundamentally Challenged<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaC-y1lcCE69oVbFzZF9gcKP7H0AmeJYs4yVdSyCVaNQXYlKp08O1XRQTR90-hl9dmMdZ_zT_0oMbKLPQina1MWRiTpQXC5Fd31WZeWZGHTSC2GrhtKqPTLQWbkeJZKSOLzmWmklS8ec/s1600/original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaC-y1lcCE69oVbFzZF9gcKP7H0AmeJYs4yVdSyCVaNQXYlKp08O1XRQTR90-hl9dmMdZ_zT_0oMbKLPQina1MWRiTpQXC5Fd31WZeWZGHTSC2GrhtKqPTLQWbkeJZKSOLzmWmklS8ec/s320/original.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">One of the most rewarding
experiences thus far in my fire service career has been the opportunity to help
teach and train new firefighters.
Whether you call them recruits, rookies, probies, or something else they
all have something in common; purity. These
members are just entering our ranks and have not been corrupted by bad habits,
shortcuts, egos, or “the way it has always been”. If you are fortunate enough to be a part of
their initial training you are being trusted with shaping the future of the
fire service. The instruction new
firefighters receive during their initial training course lays the foundation
for their entire career. The skills they
are taught during this indoctrination to our craft should consist of the most
important and most used skills we have. How
you teach and train them on these skills will also dictate how they interpret
the importance of the training. Most
probies come out of school dedicated and proficient. So why on earth do we seem to degrade and
dismiss these “basic” skills later in our careers?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">There is a reason we teach the
skills we do during initial training classes: we use them the most! But it seems that many forget the importance
of fundamental skills as the years on the job tick by. Does the professional baseball player stop
taking batting practice after little league? Does the professional hockey player stop
practicing stick handling after junior league?
Do our soldiers show up on foreign soil and figure out how to win the
war when they get there? The answer is a
very loud NO! All of these professionals
constantly practice their most basic skill sets in order to perform at the
highest possible level when it counts. So
why would a professional firefighter stop practicing how to catch hydrants
after rookie school? Laziness,
ignorance, pride, and fear are just a few of the reasons we neglect basic
proficiency. Sometimes we get caught up
in all the daily distractions and lose touch with our training and skill level. Other times the culture of the department
discourages this type of training.
Regardless of what the reason may be, you cannot allow your crew to
slack on the core competencies of our profession. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqNuOytTxK9v8TOgqOuD669uIp04uKzVOM-0dCLK7MYzb89NmydDIjhxuUDBKqqU3JPUvfBpqc6YfL57ZBaEHwOWnUNM2nMyFZZVDBCtLSoGM4h95ah5MP49SReqCyI37zJRdqd2IW-4/s1600/446416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqNuOytTxK9v8TOgqOuD669uIp04uKzVOM-0dCLK7MYzb89NmydDIjhxuUDBKqqU3JPUvfBpqc6YfL57ZBaEHwOWnUNM2nMyFZZVDBCtLSoGM4h95ah5MP49SReqCyI37zJRdqd2IW-4/s320/446416.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTFfFoS3pnrPXMjhHYRKbgmIHgl_pF6xaYFbhy3JyEwwoB0kAJvFJSOJTEkYsjUY8s5EJVi_nbaMSqXWY1WzGMp-LkYX62t5MN-qRrhLIe3Ip3E8mmXEFfFkGBSglktC2W8RfrDlDImQ/s1600/Hose+Maze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So how do you know if your crew is fundamentally
challenged? First and foremost ask
yourself, when is the last time your crew deployed a preconnected hose line
other than while operating at a job? How
often do you put hose on the ground and practice hydrant connections? Are your ground ladders maintained and thrown regularly, or are they ISO ornaments? Have you
practiced donning your PPE and SCBA since you got your Firefighter 1
certificate? Do you find it takes your
crew a long time to complete common assignments while operating at a job? Is the only training your crew gets mandatory
in nature? If any of these questions are
making your feel uncomfortable, you should probably revamp your training plan
and reassess your commitment to our profession because you are likely
fundamentally challenged. There is no
excuse to not be proficient in these skills when the majority of them require
very little equipment and can be done at your firehouse! All it takes is a little guidance and
motivation to keep your crew adept. I don’t care how many runs your station
turns out for each tour, you should never be too good to train on
fundamentals. Forcing a door, primary
search, water supply, hose advancement, and vertical ventilation are just a few of basic but perishable skills you need to keep your crew current on. They are the backbone of what our craft is
all about, saving lives and property. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTFfFoS3pnrPXMjhHYRKbgmIHgl_pF6xaYFbhy3JyEwwoB0kAJvFJSOJTEkYsjUY8s5EJVi_nbaMSqXWY1WzGMp-LkYX62t5MN-qRrhLIe3Ip3E8mmXEFfFkGBSglktC2W8RfrDlDImQ/s1600/Hose+Maze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTFfFoS3pnrPXMjhHYRKbgmIHgl_pF6xaYFbhy3JyEwwoB0kAJvFJSOJTEkYsjUY8s5EJVi_nbaMSqXWY1WzGMp-LkYX62t5MN-qRrhLIe3Ip3E8mmXEFfFkGBSglktC2W8RfrDlDImQ/s320/Hose+Maze.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> We are quick to get lost in sophisticated, once
in a life time scenarios yet will end up on the wrong end of a video comment
thread because a citizen records our inability to quickly knockdown a fire in a
single family dwelling. Don’t believe
me? I have seen some pretty embarrassing
videos and would be happy to send some examples, especially to those who are
too amazing to train on essential skills.
It’s funny to me how a few fires, a few years on the job, a few
certificates, and a promotion or two seems to elevate some of our members to a
point which makes them feel exempt from participating in fundamental training. They have seen it all and done it all so in
no way, shape, or form will you possibly have anything which could add or
improve on their stellar skill set. I
hope you are laughing as you read this because we all know who these people
are in our departments. Do yourself a favor and keep yourself and your crew
away from these individuals as they are the cancer of your organization.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1bvCGDx_c6UQy13AvDg1CkCdp8DEB6dsmLxqHbL_yEgqW28qkpAaR35RjifEGRUbut7D_fBAJd8w8UEIl2P-91wimd4pEDZNPxLdeh1jlMrc66wT_Xj1As2vLZ7zzO-p5tp8pLjHzPQ/s1600/212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1bvCGDx_c6UQy13AvDg1CkCdp8DEB6dsmLxqHbL_yEgqW28qkpAaR35RjifEGRUbut7D_fBAJd8w8UEIl2P-91wimd4pEDZNPxLdeh1jlMrc66wT_Xj1As2vLZ7zzO-p5tp8pLjHzPQ/s320/212.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What really fires me up is when I
see guys who have been on the job for a few years mocking others who train on
the “basics”. These individuals have no
business in our profession and as far as I am concerned can hang up their
gear. Maybe instead of running your
mouth you should grab your equipment and join in. If you are a master at these skills you will
likely have tons of knowledge to input into the training session. However, I highly doubt that is the
case. I have found more times than not
when I am out making mistakes on the training ground while I polish up my
skills, those who chose to mock and not contribute are hiding because they have
no clue what is going on. They can tell
you everything you are doing wrong but have no valid reason why it is
wrong. They are also incapable of
demonstrating the appropriate way to complete the evolution. We all know the type and unfortunately if you
can’t get them involved all you can do is hope they find another career sooner
than later!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2IEBXrQ9GS_wcNkJqX-6mZ9FoF5K7qK3qC1YkMOlvDbPYRCpJQL7-ALCekZ-ue7aSagP3sCaz15ok7cVkSlW6mFTCfavaQopZL5vnVfEx4Gzqo70ambxgI95LEovWqk_EGN3DLYEGD0/s1600/essentials-basic-module-class-ladders-tamaqua-firefighter-training-grounds-tamaqua-7-22-2014-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2IEBXrQ9GS_wcNkJqX-6mZ9FoF5K7qK3qC1YkMOlvDbPYRCpJQL7-ALCekZ-ue7aSagP3sCaz15ok7cVkSlW6mFTCfavaQopZL5vnVfEx4Gzqo70ambxgI95LEovWqk_EGN3DLYEGD0/s320/essentials-basic-module-class-ladders-tamaqua-firefighter-training-grounds-tamaqua-7-22-2014-8.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Stop being too scared or too proud
to train on basic, essential, fundamental skills! Functions like forcible entry, hose
advancement, and search techniques will likely save more lives over the course
of your career than any once in a career, specialized scenario ever
will. I am not trying to downgrade any
type of training however I think we need to be realistic about what we focus our
time on. What operations will be time
sensitive vs. which ones will give us time to make a plan on arrival? I am also willing to bet fundamental skills will be involved regardless of how large the scenario is. So next tour get your crew and take the
ground ladders off the rig. Spend a few
hours deploying and reloading your attack lines. Teach each other something. This is also a perfect opportunity to give
your junior member the lead, after all the basics should be fresh in his/her mind! Ignore the naysayers because it will be clear
to other companies and the citizens who is dedicated to professional service delivery and who
is dedicated to a paycheck the next time you catch a job!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
The Fire Insidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08486289357172219824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593851535504922823.post-41651795585288467182016-07-02T19:17:00.004-07:002016-07-02T19:36:17.423-07:00Time Management: Responsibilities, Distractions, and Leeches<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I often find myself wondering how
we select who writes textbooks and what goes in them. The more time I get on the job, the more I
realize our occupation leaves out some pretty major things in its curriculum. Whether it is professional development,
strategy and tactics, or fire suppression there is a constant “this is how we
do it for the test, not on the job” issue in many training programs. I feel this mentality is what causes us to
skip or breeze over certain things. One topic
I don’t remember being taught in any fire officer class was time
management. If it is in there, I can
assure you they don’t spend enough time on it because I don’t recall it. How ironic!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">While this article will not touch
on the education debate, I will say that having a college education does help
with time management. You have to
organize your assignments and determine how long it will take you to complete
them. College is where I learned I am a
procrastinator, which is not necessarily a good thing. However, I did learn I do some of my best
work with a looming deadline which has helped me complete my responsibilities
while riding in the seat. Just another
part of my college education which I found helpful as I moved up in rank. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you are anything like me you
spent a lot of time thinking about what you would do whenever you earned a
position supervising a company. However,
one thing you probably gave little or no thought to is managing your time once
you achieve a position as a company officer.
If you had descent role models or some sort of professional development
then you may have half a clue of what to do your first day in your new
role. If you had crappy bosses and were
forced to figure out most things on your own then you will likely show up to
your new assignment like the first day of kindergarten; scared and
confused. Although many are quick to
forget, promotions generally require additional responsibilities rather than
fewer. These additional responsibilities
require reassessing your daily routine.
Furthermore, let me be the bearer of bad news and inform you that there
will be all kinds of things which will take up your time. Many will not be very productive or have
nothing to do with your responsibilities as the company officer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">First and foremost you have to
understand the responsibilities of your new position. Do you have additional equipment to check in
your new riding position? Has your morning turnover procedure changed? Are there new systems or files to check and
fill out each morning? Do you have to
report your personnel and unit status to a battalion chief or communications
center? Are you responsible for creating
training sessions? What is the status of
your subordinate’s evaluations? Do you
have to approve time off or other staffing procedures? Are there lists of long term projects,
inspections, or maintenance to work on?
These few things are the tip of the spear as far as daily functions the
company officer is responsible for. Now
work in company training, emergency responses, incident reports, etc. and you
can see how the list of things to be done compiles quickly. These new responsibilities can be extremely
overwhelming, especially if you were not afforded any type of training or
development prior to becoming a company officer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The key to dealing with all of
these responsibilities is managing your time.
While it will likely take a few shifts, you will eventually fall into a
routine just as you did as a firefighter and/or apparatus operator. Focus on completing the daily tasks first and
then try to make a tentative schedule for completing long term responsibilities
such as evaluations and inspections.
Obviously things come up and we have to answer calls as well, so don’t
be disheartened when your schedule doesn’t work out exactly as planned. One strategy I have found which works well
for me is to make a plan for the following shift in the evening before I go to
bed. I take this opportunity to review what
was accomplished during the current shift, ensure all my reports are filed
appropriately, and identify what was not accomplished and will need to be moved
to another shift. From there I make a
tentative list of what needs to be done on our next tour. Another tactic I have found helpful is saving
report templates on a USB drive. For
repetitive types of training such as inspections, driver training, apparatus
maintenance, etc. this will greatly reduce the amount of time you spend writing
training reports.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nYutxRrqST1C2prkCkLemmqQSByZOXubY1-Zho0Jq5JBoHuEpLXJAdqr2Q6Mf3_Y4cnORNjlf3PzvxA4-r12lFqoPfgj-MAw3PRlAJV3UTzZsOvmvkqtyWrvWFnTY1p7RYPfGgCYEeg/s1600/fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nYutxRrqST1C2prkCkLemmqQSByZOXubY1-Zho0Jq5JBoHuEpLXJAdqr2Q6Mf3_Y4cnORNjlf3PzvxA4-r12lFqoPfgj-MAw3PRlAJV3UTzZsOvmvkqtyWrvWFnTY1p7RYPfGgCYEeg/s320/fire.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Once you have finally found your
groove you will find that distractions will surely ruin it. Distractions take on many forms from cell
phones to senior officers. The key to
distractions is identifying them and developing a strategy to deal with them. Cell phones are a double edged sword for the
company officer. I use mine to
communicate with my apparatus operator in the morning while I complete my
morning tasks. This way he can keep me
informed of deficiencies without us having to meet face to face for each
one. The problem is you can easily get
distracted by Facebook, games, and other applications. You will have to figure out your own way to
manage cell phone usage. Another
distraction is random requests from outside sources. The Battalion Chief may call up with some
short notice assignment or training session.
The senior officer of your station may decide their plan for the day is
more important than yours. An off duty
or former member may stop by for a visit.
You may have issues between crew members which need to be
addressed. The public may drop by for an
impromptu station tour. You will even
have days where you are simply not as motivated. None of these situations is necessarily negative,
but will still impact how you complete your tasks for the day. Regardless of the cause, you have to find a
way to mitigate these distractions just as you would on an incident scene. Control the distractions you can and learn to
accommodate the ones you cannot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the most potent enemies of
time management is what I refer to as “leeches”. They can be anyone from your junior member to
the Chief of the Department. I call them
leeches because they will approach you with a request for assistance
completing one of their tasks. However,
the term assistance is just a disguise and what they are really doing is pushing
their responsibilities off on you. At
face value someone asks you to help complete a task or project. Next thing you know everyone else is hanging
out and you are the only one working on the project. The new company officer will likely continue
on as they are trying to fit in and remain “part of the crew”. Additionally, a newly promoted company
officer can be extremely intimidated to say no as they don’t want anyone
thinking poorly of them in their new role.
This is a serious issue for new company officers who have senior men and
senior officers who are not motivated. Remember,
sometimes you just have to say no. It is
better to decline additional tasks or duties than accept them knowing you
cannot complete them along with your other responsibilities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, learn when to delegate
tasks to other members of your crew.
Contrary to what some believe, it is not practical for the company
officer to complete every task without assistance. While some responsibilities will be yours and
yours alone, there are plenty of other tasks which can be delegated. Station chores, apparatus maintenance, even
training duties depending on the experience level of your crew can be
appropriate tasks for delegation to subordinates. Delegation is a wonderful tool for
professional development and to observe their strengths and weaknesses. It can also be a source of pride and
accomplishment for your subordinates as they are tasked with taking the point
on an assignment. Delegation does not
make the company officer look weak when used appropriately, but rather it makes
him looks smart. Just be careful to
avoid delegating officer level tasks to your subordinates. Doing so makes you a leech as well as provides the perception that you cannot handle them yourself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Time management will be crucial to
ensuring the company officer completes his new responsibilities. Learn how to minimize your distractions and
steer clear of time leeches. Fight the
urge to bite off more than you can chew and learn how to say no when
appropriate. Utilize delegation whenever
appropriate which will free up a little time as well as help develop your
subordinates. There will be times where
you will have to respectfully excuse your crew, reorganize you game plan for
the day, or change your plan completely to accomplish the most important
tasks. A little thought and planning
will help you find your stride much sooner, allowing you to focus your time in
the most efficient manner.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
The Fire Insidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08486289357172219824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593851535504922823.post-23115032343078933532016-06-14T18:10:00.003-07:002016-06-14T21:15:47.031-07:00Meddling Millennials and Entitled Leadership<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Millennials entering the fire service is quite a hot topic in many apparatus bays and on numerous Facebook pages these days. It is also a topic I find quite interesting. This is certainly not the last generational
friction that will impact our occupation as every generation thinks the next will be the downfall of civilization. The old guard claims that these new additions
to the work force just don’t get it.
They are lazy, coddled, and don’t know what work is. Most claim the latest installment of recruits
and probationary members have no business in “our” fire service. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"></span>
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwiQZn9l4__zakyWCkHP-2uUyiBoDoOXIofAIyGgz4NyGa8ohqkHCCYsjZkLWlpAaodNIxlOMZdTnwSVshGIu2f1PJVAflh1iZzOVB_Pkat-89QM4xnQ_qzNYZ1ecII-bNoENMP88xP8/s1600/Firefighter-Kid-iStock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwiQZn9l4__zakyWCkHP-2uUyiBoDoOXIofAIyGgz4NyGa8ohqkHCCYsjZkLWlpAaodNIxlOMZdTnwSVshGIu2f1PJVAflh1iZzOVB_Pkat-89QM4xnQ_qzNYZ1ecII-bNoENMP88xP8/s320/Firefighter-Kid-iStock.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">A Millennial is simplistically defined as someone who
entered adulthood around the turn of the century. The generation is characterized by individuals who are coddled, over-confident, politically correct, and entitled. Knowing a trade or hands on skill is fairly
uncommon for this generation. Most have
never operated a chainsaw or learned how to make their own bed. They were raised in relatively sheltered lives
and typically lack life skills. There
aren’t any participation trophies in the fire department so how will these
pampered young employees survive? The consensus
seems to be that these new additions are going to be the death of the
traditional fire service as we know it. While
these attributes may require new tactics for training, the real question is
whether or not this is a generational problem or a leadership problem which is
drawing a bad reputation to our newest members.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">On the other hand you have the young guns claiming they have
no guidance, no instruction, and no mentors. Their older bosses have made their mind up
about them and don’t seem terribly motivated to help them fit in. In many cases the older members will taunt
them for what they don’t know rather than teach them the correct way. There seems to be apprehension when it comes
to helping the new generation find their way.
Fires are down making it damn
near impossible to earn your keep on the fire ground. Therefore the historical
write of passage for earning a place on the crew is difficult to say the least. It also provides fewer opportunities to
demonstrate and hone firefighting skills.
So are the concerns about this new generation their fault or ours?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">As an early 80’s baby I am technically a Millennial, although
anyone who knows me or reads my work would probably not lump me in that
category. I learned work ethic from my
parents who allowed me to do anything as long as I had a job and did my
chores. Sure, they helped me along the
way which is perhaps the biggest Millennial trait I have. I also had some strong leadership examples as I started my fire service career in my hometown districts. In a lot of ways I walk both
sides of the aisle on this debate and I am here to tell you both sides are wrong. However, I believe leadership takes the majority of the blame.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Everything the new generation fails to do or does not know
how to do is the root of the discussion. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Whose fault is that? I believe
management takes the responsibility here.
Education has changed, technology has changed, and right or wrong
children are being raised differently. Things
which were common sense 20 years ago may not be today. We are too quick to
assume and take for granted that everyone knows the things we do. Also keep in mind it is extremely important
to determine early on your members knowledge level, both on the job and in life. What you think they <b>should know</b> is irrelevant to everyone but you. You cannot be upset with an employee for not
knowing something you did not teach them. Being unable to operate a chainsaw
does not make a new employee a bad one; it makes them an employee that will
require a little more training. It is
the officer’s responsibility to teach the probie what he or she does not know. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Another significant portion of this debate is discipline and
accountability. When I came into the
fire service there was a definitive expectation of how things operated and
where I fit into that system. My first
assignment before being voted into the department was to read the SOPs in their
entirety and know them before I came back for my first drill. I was told when drill was, how often I needed
to attend, the procedure for responding to alarms, etc. If I strayed from these expectations a disciplinary
process was laid out and well known.
More importantly, the system was used when members failed to meet
standards. Today I see many officers who
simply welcome a new crew member and fail to provide them with expectations. It is very difficult to perform if there are
no official expectations laid out in advance.
It is even more difficult to discipline without them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Discipline is yet another area I see dysfunction among the
current group of officers and administrators.
Many are nervous they may offend someone or receive a complaint should
they impose discipline. I have even
heard of chiefs telling their officers not to address issues because they might
offend someone. Some officers would rather be friends or
“cool” bosses which leads them to avoid discipline. Still in other instances officers and chiefs
are too quick to discipline, sometimes even terminate, before all the facts are
collected. All of these practices are
all unacceptable. Perhaps if the current
generation of officers stopped frowning on education and took some management
classes many of these issues would resolve themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Finally, many of the current generation of officers are
horrible about having a “do as I say, not as I do” mentality. I refer to this mindset and entitlement
leadership. Now I am sure I am not the
first to coin this phrase, it just seems to fit well for what I am discussing. This type of “leader” feels their
position entitles them to do or not do certain things. You can often find these officers and chiefs
sitting on the sidelines during chores, training, or other non-response company
functions. They are quick to find deficiencies
with their crews while offering no guidance on how to fix them. They are also the officers who so grossly
misinterpret the term delegation that those under their supervision are likely
completing all their officer tasks as well.
This basically leaves the entitled leader with nothing to do all day but
be in charge, also known as doing nothing.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Perhaps the reason the younger members are lazy is because
they see their officers sitting around all day.
The officers are too busy identifying what they are no longer
responsible for and delegating away all their responsibilities to develop their
Millennial members. In turn, the already
entitled Millennials grow tired of being the only ones working and stop putting
in the effort or take shortcuts. I can
assure you this will bleed over to fire ground operations as well. Your influence as the officer is what effects
how productive your younger members will be.
They are constantly watching and learning from you whether it is good or
bad. The reason being an officer comes
with a pay increase is because of the <b>additional</b>
responsibilities the position requires. The term additional implies you will still be responsible for all the
things you did in your previous rank and then some. If you are lucky enough to promote a few
times then the responsibilities are compounded.
Should the Captain be the first one to grab a mop? No. Does that mean the Captain will never push a mop? No, what it means is officers should never neglect a task because of their
position and if they set a positive example their crews will make sure they
rarely have to do tasks normally accomplished by lower ranking members.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7k5qxEF7emMPn32bMf6ViJ1PJtAen8PVRzebyU6MVWw2CSeEoR8u_g8urzJrTWY32YNfgjTKTEwQnx0v_kawdOUG6UfTO6zZjak04GJwk-Ukh7PvPN33B3szT8wc2xTsvzLZOViqzBE/s1600/fireman-100722_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7k5qxEF7emMPn32bMf6ViJ1PJtAen8PVRzebyU6MVWw2CSeEoR8u_g8urzJrTWY32YNfgjTKTEwQnx0v_kawdOUG6UfTO6zZjak04GJwk-Ukh7PvPN33B3szT8wc2xTsvzLZOViqzBE/s1600/fireman-100722_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7k5qxEF7emMPn32bMf6ViJ1PJtAen8PVRzebyU6MVWw2CSeEoR8u_g8urzJrTWY32YNfgjTKTEwQnx0v_kawdOUG6UfTO6zZjak04GJwk-Ukh7PvPN33B3szT8wc2xTsvzLZOViqzBE/s320/fireman-100722_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">While the newest generation of firefighters entering our
ranks does come with some entitlement, the current generation of officers and
chiefs seem to be just as entitled. In turn, these entitled leaders are doing a horrible job of transitioning new members into our profession. Officers must provide a clear set of
expectations along with proper training, mentoring, and discipline to set the right example. So before you
point the finger at your new Millennial member’s sense of entitlement and lackluster work
ethic, take a hard look in the mirror at your leadership. You just might be the one that needs the
improvement!</span><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
The Fire Insidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08486289357172219824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593851535504922823.post-80524398200558916672016-06-01T14:35:00.002-07:002016-06-14T18:24:56.024-07:00Origins<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I’d like to take a few minutes to discuss how and why I began writing as well as the meaning behind the name of the page. First and foremost I am by no means some
salty old fireman with 3,000 fires under my belt. In fact, I am quite the opposite. I have been in the business both career and
volunteer for about a decade. I work for
a medium sized, mostly suburban department.
I have been to a few fires over the years but my resume is nowhere near
as extensive as some of the other pages out there. I say that because I don’t think you need to
have 3,000 fires to understand the job or speak about it. All you need to have is desire, heart, knowledge, and the ability to learn from others in order to make a difference. So after a little help from a
fellow brother I decided to take the plunge and begin this adventure hoping to gain and share
information to improve myself and anyone who takes the time to read my page. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtrWE8lXBeIJ0tRT9b68z3EBNhvfEVIat1t2clh5YaBDQCTfyMvEdiWZsZsypepjktZUDxHYCoi_Grf67OlO2J_UiDIs6fiPyKVqjP97SR1CBvHolzP78jUz9mnJGyXc5iDdhtKkmhLI/s1600/571f24186c92415437f4a316ce0c19eb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtrWE8lXBeIJ0tRT9b68z3EBNhvfEVIat1t2clh5YaBDQCTfyMvEdiWZsZsypepjktZUDxHYCoi_Grf67OlO2J_UiDIs6fiPyKVqjP97SR1CBvHolzP78jUz9mnJGyXc5iDdhtKkmhLI/s200/571f24186c92415437f4a316ce0c19eb.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The name of the page has two meanings. First I will discuss the more obvious meaning. When we are summoned for a structure fire,
more times than not the “fire” is “inside” the structure. I am a firm believer that that best means for
controlling a structure fire is to put a well trained crew with the appropriate
sized hose line, pumped at the appropriate pressure, inside the building as
fast as possible. This does not mean I
am against defensive operations or “transitional” operations. What it means is I feel that the best option
is aggressive, interior operations. Is
this possible at every fire? Absolutely
not. However, I think the fire service as a whole has gotten away from such
tactics under the guise of safety and science and quite frankly it is time we
get back do doing what we signed on to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNcqKQaVXl4EFK49aNBj9heRAa3-KnTgKBEEjPxGwC-rJ8tCgVUQu-yRq4AKS7iJpbTzp5PXaQPoymxkvyMQsqmIE3SCNOaCeeCLook6TBsTtgJyNuDjGL0LwbA1nz3YSplP1PbQG3KE/s1600/Follow-your-Passion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNcqKQaVXl4EFK49aNBj9heRAa3-KnTgKBEEjPxGwC-rJ8tCgVUQu-yRq4AKS7iJpbTzp5PXaQPoymxkvyMQsqmIE3SCNOaCeeCLook6TBsTtgJyNuDjGL0LwbA1nz3YSplP1PbQG3KE/s200/Follow-your-Passion.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The second meaning is more on the personal front and that is
the passion that I have inside of me for this job. I love the fire service, always have and
always will. I was that kid that grew
up chasing the engines down the road when they caught a job. I was the kid that was glued to the window
when the station siren sounded hoping to grab a glance of the rigs as they
raced down the road. I am also one of
the fortunate adults who get to do what I have always dreamed of for a
career. I am <b>passionate</b> about this job and by no means do I feel that is
something that I should apologize for. I
am tired of hearing things like train less, get a hobby, slow down, etc. Screw that, there is nothing wrong with being
excited and into the job and I am tired of hearing a passion for our craft being used
as a negative. So hopefully my page can
serve as a safe haven for others who share this passion to share their thoughts
and experiences which will allow all of us to grow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I thank everyone who takes the time to read my thoughts and
encourage anyone passing through to share theirs as well. I dream of this page turning into something
that will help other young, passionate, rising officers in developing themselves
into future leaders of the fire service. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
The Fire Insidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08486289357172219824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593851535504922823.post-26141431507014224932016-06-01T07:47:00.000-07:002016-06-14T18:25:10.598-07:00Mutual Aid<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I decided to name my first attempt at blogging 'Mutual Aid' because that is how I see my blog and Facebook page, mutual aid to fellow brothers and sisters. I started my fire service career in a small town department in upstate New York. Our county had 43 fire departments. Most of these departments were single stations with 3 to 4 apparatus. What I remember the most about starting my fire service career in that environment was mutual aid. Daytime runs were almost always with a mutual aid agency. In our jurisdiction it was usually automatic aid. Sure there was rivalry between departments. Sure there were those who resisted the help from other departments. But what I remember the most was how well we operated on jobs despite all that. Mutual aid was a way of life in that area during certain times of the day. Without it, the public would have been at great risk. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now that the short history lesson and shout out to my heritage is done, let's talk about mutual aid for each other. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have come to realize that the mutual aid I was accustomed to growing up is not necessarily how it is in other parts of the country. I am not sure if this is due to pride, ego, distrust, or something else entirely, however mutual aid is not always embraced. I have also gathered this is similar to the way we treat other members of our departments. Why is this? We constantly talk about helping each other out but will refuse to do so quite often. Are we scared someone else will get some recognition? Are we scared someone will promote past us? Are we just lazy? Is it not cool in your department to help someone else? Or do we simply not care as much a we all pretend too? Whatever the reason, it is unacceptable. This is not high school and the click we are in frankly does not matter. It is simply ignorant to claim we became firefighters to help people yet we let our own drown in their problems.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have also noticed many of us are scared to call for mutual aid as well. Many are scared to look weak to others. Many are worried about losing respect. Others simply think they are amazing at everything. First and foremost let me be the one to break the bad news and inform you that you are not good at everything. Everyone will need help with something at some point in their career. People struggle with many demons whether they be professional or personal and simply refuse to ask our brothers and sisters for help. Maybe you aren't strong with administrative functions. Maybe you are having relationship issues. Perhaps you need help managing your money. Maybe you need to get in shape. The list goes on and on but I promise we all have areas we need to improve on. This tough guy bravado we seem to create is no reason to go at things alone. We all need help at some point in our life, don't let your ego get in the way. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Don't be scared to call for mutual aid. On a job or in your own battles you have to be able to make that mutual aid request while the incident is still manageable. I promise you can mitigate any situation better with some help. Remember what the mutual in mutual aid means as well. You may be called on by others and need to be able to answer the request just as easily as you made it for yourself.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Stay passionate, stay hungry, and most importantly stay safe!</span></span><br />
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<br />The Fire Insidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08486289357172219824noreply@blogger.com0