Networking

I have just returned from the firehouse show and expo in Baltimore and found it to be another great experience. I saw many old friends and had the opportunity to forge some new acquaintances and friendships for the future.

 

I truly believe that if you have any opportunity to take in a show or convention such as this, that you really take whatever it takes to do this. You will share a recent problem you had in your department and the person next to you has probably already handled that one, twice and has a possible solution. You will go there thinking your department has significant problems and meet someone who has it ten times worse than you do. You may go there feeling really great about your department and positive, and meet someone or go into a seminar where someone has a better idea.

 

One of the most significant problems the fire service has is being to localized and parochial. We think the way our department does it is absolutely the only and best way to do something.

 

Networking allows us to take a look outside of our small view and scope of things.

 

Networking also allows you to laugh and share things with others.

 

Networking allows you to share sorrows and pains with others. The opening presentation at firehouse had a photo tribute to the WTC event on September 11, 2001. It was introduced and presented by a photographer who was injured and rescued by embers of FDNY and he, and other photographers paid tributes in photos to those that lost their lives. There must have been a lot of dust in the room or something because I saw an awful lot of folks rubbing their eyes. Firefighters felt it was OK to show emotion and cry because we were allowed to do that.

 

Classes and seminars just about covered every topic of fire and emergency services there was. Some instructors were good, others were not as good. Some were from small departments and some from the nation's largest. I took something away and learned from all of them.

 

I learned things from the vendors about new products and equipment that would help the fire service do it's job better.

 

I think that if you are a firefighter you should try to go to as many of these conferences and seminars as you can.

I think if you are an officer you should go to these, encourage your personnel to go to these, and if you go, bring back and share the information with others.

I think if you are a chief officer you should go downtown and get the funding for your personnel to get there and you also should go and set a positive training example. As a chief you need to remain current. You don't know it all, you won't ever, and if you haven't been to a class or seminar in the last year you should be embarrassed and ashamed of yourself. The fire service is passing you by.

 

In closing, I would like to thank the wonderful folks who sat through my presentation about firefighter safety. I learned an awful lot from you, your wonderful comments and kind words during and afterwards. I hope to hear from many of you.

 

I would also like to say thank you to a group of wonderful folks who had faith in me and allowed me the opportunity to be there....the folks at the ISFSI the International Society of Fire Service Instructors.

 

Get out of town!

 

Go network with other fire services professionals!