Random Thoughts
This week I thought I would get back to some more specific training issues and almost a
random thought type of category for the commentary. I would encourage, (as I always do)
that readers would email in their specific thoughts about any or all of the issues that I raise.
These are in no specific order by any means.
It seems to me that the fire service as a whole is in a significant lull right at the moment. We
are usually so fickle that we have a "topic de jour" such as the haz mat craze, the high
angle, extrication, confined space, terrorism, yadda yadda whatever is next. While there still
seems to be some chatter about terrorism and chem bio, there really is no hot topic at the
moment. Is it just me, or has interest in rapid intervention, and thermal imaging slipping
away.
If society is changing and we all hear about the new recruit and the way the "new guys" are,
should we change our training tactics? Did we notify the fire that the new recruit firefighter
is different or does the skill set, tools and technology allow us to do anything different. I
would be curious to hear from anyone about thoughts on this issue. The current generation
of students have never been challenged in anyway, so the fire service basic training may be
their first taste of being challenged. Is that our problem and how do we deal with it.
How political should we actually be, or need to be to survive. It seems to me that we should
distribute our political activism at the level where we are and it is most appropriate. By that I
mean we should re-focus the energies of our members in concentrating at the tasks and
worries of their level. It is not the individual firefighter's concern what the mayor or city
manager is doing. ( *The obvious exception to this is if you are a member of the collective
bargaining unit negotiating team, then you have to at some level.) My point is we have a
number of firefighters at the kitchen table beefing and bemoaning about the city, when that
responsibility is clearly not theirs, but that of management. A firefighter needs to worry
about his ability to perform his job in a satisfactory manner for his officers. Officers need to
worry about making sure their crew is "combat ready", trained and equipped to perform the
tasks at hand, and chief level officers need to worry about city hall, and shield and insulate
their members from the politics of it all. Large major metropolitan cities and leaders of
respective fire service organizations such as the IAFF, IAFC, NVFC etceteras should focus
their energies and attention at the national scene. If we as a fire service begin to refocus our
energy where it is best served.
Is it just me again or when you walk into a fire station in the northeast, is there a horrible
negative atmosphere and attitude? What the hell is up with that? If you are unhappy in the
finest and proudest profession in the world, then what the heck do you really want out of a
job, or out of life. I do not recall seeing draft notices go out for the fire service. If you are
that miserable in your job you should leave. If you can't wait until retirement, then retire
now. If not, change your attitude, working conditions, atmosphere and get over it. You are
pissing off those that love the fire service.
I am afraid that I am seeing a disturbing trend in the nation's fire service. There are a lot of
people surviving and faking their way through this business. It should be your duty to identify
these people, point them out, and do not let them continue any longer.
Go visit http://www.firefighterclosecalls.com if you have not.
Do not violate your personal and professional integrity in any way. In recent months I have
been exposed to several cases both locally and nationally where people have chosen a path
that was not ethically correct. I cannot fix that. I can be sure I do not do it, and I can
encourage you to think about your actions before you take them, and ask how they would
look on the 6 o'clock news or the evening newspaper. If you do not think it would look good
for you or for your organization, maybe you should re-think it.
I got a very provocative thought the other day from a professional colleague who I admire
alot. His comment was maybe we should refer to where we work as a fire station rather than
a fire house. We are way to comfortable in our own "houses" and maybe that affects our
behavior.
What are your thoughts and issues, and we will publish them here.
If not I hope that I at least made you think.
Stay safe, and see you here next week.