As we all prepare to celebrate the 4th of July and our Country's independence, I thought it would be appropriate to discuss this word as it applies to the fire service and it's members; US!

I value independence and freedoms greatly. Anyone reading this who knows me knows this to be true. I am sure at times in my life and career I have affected other people's independence. Sometimes I have been sorry about that, and other times I did it for the greater good of all concerned.

Now that last sentence might seem to fly in the face of independence, but in the fire service we are supposed to be a team. Team meaning all members dependednt upon the actions of another.

On a local level it seems to make sense. The team functioning day to day in the station and in fire activity. Does it make sense on the national level? Is the fire service a team?

A friend of mine who I admire a great deal wrote an opinion on the Ladder Bail technique for a national trade journal. This editorial written by a fire officer ignited a major debate for about three months about who was right and who was wrong. The subject doesn't matter here, I am not speaking about this one technique, just using it as an example. Wasn't the original message, and the message of all the others about firefighter safety? Does my friend think any less about firefighter safety then any of those other folks? Do the proponents of this method believe that it saves firefighter lives; Of course they do!

We all have independent thoughts about a lot of issues in the fire service.........Labor issues, management rights, training, safety, and what is the best way of doing things.

The way the fire service locally and nationally is going to make a difference is when we begin to collect these "independent" thoughts and ideas and move them forward.

We have not looked at history very closely.

The people with radical ideas on any side of an issue, might actually have some merit.

The one lone voice crying for a difference might be the one we should listen to.

Let's talk about fire service seminars for example. What was the last regional or national conference you went to? Who were the speakers and what was their message? The message in most of these seminars has nearly been identical. The same speakers are delivering the same topics...and we all attend and sit and believe it is the only way. Now all of these speakers are true leaders in the fire service, but I for one am yet to be convinced that the 25 major speakers that are roaming the country have the ONLY message and methods of solving the fire service's problems.

I say this not to be critical, but I say this that I wish to challenge the folks that read this page, to be bold, offer up your own independent thoughts and ideas. Sure lets use any of the good practices that are out there, and in fact lets not discount any, but don't be afraid to bring something completely different out in the open.

Charles Goodyear, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, are all people who thought of different ideas than most folks and got laughed at for their wild ideas.

Now the downside to independence might be operating outside the boundaries of your department's established rules and regulations under the guise of being "independent".

I will only mention it in passing but the ruling on the two Washington DC Firefighters who are being allowed to have long hair and beards is making me crazy. In addition to the obvious SCBA and mask safety issues, I do believe that there is a confidence and appearance issue. I respect their rights of these men and those of others, I just don't happen to agree. See, thats what I mean we don't have to agree with everyone's thoughts, but we do have to respect they exist.

How do you feel about the DCFD beard issue?

(See firehouse.com for details if you are not familiar with it)

Have a safe and happy 4th with your family, stay safe, and keep that independent thinking going, while maintaining the perspective that your independent thinking affects all of us that wear the same maltese cross as you.......your brother and sister firefighters.