Loose Ends...
This Labor Day weekend has a lot of thoughts running around in my head which as many of
you know can be quite dangerous. We will talk about Labor Day and the job, but also some
very serious other topics which may not always follow a logical thread so hang in there with
me on this one.
First let me add my condolences and feelings of loss and sadness about the tragic death of James Page. The fire service has lost a visionary and a great leader. The loss also brings to mind some thoughts I have had about as all of the great fire service leaders I have grown in this business with grow older, who will be the next leaders and fire service visionaries to come forward. I look around at periodicals and national conferences and I do not see the same caliber of folks stepping forward. There are many bright young instructors out there, and someone will always rise, but some appear to be there for the wrong reasons sometimes.
Speaking of that very issue, let me say a few words about Labor Day and "The Job". I say the term "The Job" and it certainly applies to the paid, on-call and volunteer sector as I want to leave nobody behind in this one. As I personally reflect on this Labor Day I am quite thankful that I have been fortunate in this my chosen career of the fire service. I have served as a volunteer, paid on call, and a career person so I know all sides of the house.
I have a few Labor Day Type thoughts...
On this Labor Day I am thankful for the privilege and honor of being a firefighter, to those of you who are so terribly unhappy about your job, (Paid, on-call or volunteer) your chief, your department operations, please seek alternate employment as you are annoying those of us who love our job.
Every day you put on your uniform and badge be proud of wearing it, be sure to honor your department while wearing it, and be especially mindful of all of the members who wore it before you so that your actions and behaviors would make them proud.
Speaking of those who came before, for all of the young guys who on the paid side have a good labor contract, think of all of the sacrifices and grief that those who came before you had to go through to get that contract. There are many paid guys who remember longer work weeks with few benefits if any. For those in the volunteer sector think of the equipment and training you have now that those before you could not have. The job today is what it is because of those who came before you.
Also on this Labor Day I am encouraging all members of the fire service to get their professional priorities in order as it relates to the "Job".
...It is not about YOU, it is about the people of your community.
...You are a member of YOUR department, no different, better or worse then anybody who wears the same patch as you.
...Your Chief is a member of YOUR department also. It is not about us and them it is just about US.
...Stop, go sit quietly and ask yourself what you have done personally and by yourself that has made your department just a little bit better. If you cant think of anything, then get up right now and go do something, go clean a truck, help some school kids, do something that will reflect positively on your job.
...If you are not an officer then be a good follower. Be loyal, diligent and do a good job for the right reasons, not just for "the credit" of doing something.
...If you are an officer be a good one. Supervise, direct as needed and help your troops. If you need to be uncomfortable once in a while for the greater good of the department, then do it.
Labor day also rings with it the thoughts of the Labor Day MDA telethon and the firefighters relationship over the past 50 years. Firefighters do that for all of the right reasons. It is about helping others. If you are not into the MDA cause, then this labor day please do something else to help others in some way outside of your job. It's like Quaker Oats, " It's the right thing to do".
Have a great week, have fun with your family and stay safe.
"It's about the Job"
Don't Forget!
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