All Things to All People
 
While most of you know I try very hard to be progressive and on the "front of the curve" on many issues, recent events have caused me to ponder on this issue.
 
I am a firm proponent of the fire service being a diverse organization that provides as much public service to the citizens as possible.
 
In doing all that we have done, have we lost our basic fire, combat and operational readiness?
 
I worked very hard and I am very proud of my efforts to integrate EMS in the fire service in my fire department so I am not going to claim to be holier than thou on any of these issues, but let's take a look at how all of these functions have affected us and our ability to deliver services.
 
When we added EMS we added some additional manpower. That manpower is tied up 3-5 times a day on providing EMS runs.
 
EMTs require recertification to various skill levels and that ties up some of our training efforts to make sure they are certified.
 
Hazardous materials training is supposed to be recertified on an annual basis.
 
The new WMD, and terrorism issues are requiring a flood of training.
 
Even first responders need CPR and aed training on a regular basis.
 
I am a personal proponent of companies doing pre-fire planning surveys and company inspections.
 
I am a firm proponent of a large number of the members getting involved in public education efforts.
 
So here is the question....When are we training for the low frequency high risk events like structure fires that are still trapping and killing our members?
 
When was the last time members on your department discharged a 20 lb dry chemical extinguisher at a live fire? Oh I know, we don't have any money to buy dry chemical and we can't do live fire training anyway. besides they did that once when they came on the job so how many times do you have to do that anyway?
 
When was the last time we drilled on stretching an 1 3/4" line up the back stairway?
 
If you are from a busy department, then your training is going on at each and every emergency, so this might not apply......but even in large departments with multiple groups and multiple companies it might be pretty easy to find a slow engine company or ladder company on a lucky group that has not seen much action this year.
 
I guess my point is this; Try to be as diverse in services as you can be but let us not have all of these other services affect our ability to protect our citizens and us from fires.
 
Let me know what you think, are all of these services being done well in your department, or are we becoming the jack of all trades and masters of none?
 

Tell me what you think, e-mail with your comments and / opinions.