"I Just Don't Get it !"

I have just finished reading a clip from the Firehouse.com website that indicates that 10 members of the fire service have been injured in recent church fires.
After reading these, (some of which resembled the Texas situation which killed three ) I was taken back a little to think that we couldn't have maybe done something to prevent this. As I was having this thought I began to realize that reason we could not have prevented these, is that we just don't get it sometimes.

Nothing secretive, nothing magical...just that we (The Fire Service ) just don't get it !
I was not at these fires and I am not being critical of their actions or responses, and further I am feeling sorrow at the injuries that were suffered. I am using these as an example of how we continue to repeat the same types of injuries at the same types of fire situations.
We all read the trade journals, and many of us are trying valiantly to continue our training, but when it comes time to apply our training, on the scene we don't seem to connect that "book stuff" to the street.

I have commented to many friends that just recently I was monitoring my radio when I heard a deputy fire chief, ask the incoming chief of department a question by radio. I can;t repeat it exactly but it went something like this....Chief, how much mutual aid do you want me to continue to call in here, this building is really not worth it!

I heard this and I realized that finally after many years of studying the fire service I had just heard a fire officer who made an appropriate risk analysis. The building just was not worth the resources that were being committed. I am sure that there will be others that might criticize this action, but I for one, believe it was great.

At least He got it !

Another recent conversation from this week was as follows. A discussion was ensuing about ICS, accountability, and other issues, when a senior firefighter who has a very good reputation as a good firefighter and a straight shooter said... "You know, if people would just do what they were supposed to do, we wouldn't need all of these things." He then said if personnel would follow orders as directed , and then report back as directed, accountability would be a whole lot easier.

He got it too !

But as I write this, and continue to read about the new innovations and technology being invented for firefighter safety, gadgets and gizmos, I came to the conclusion that technology can assist and enhance safety, but until the people and personnel buy into it, believe in firm accountability and accept responsibility for their actions...we still won't get it right.

Hey....I think I just got it!