Life Safety Initiative #1 Cultural Change

Over the next several posts, well 16 to be exact, I am going to be discussing the 16 life safety initiatives for the fire service.  The initiatives were put together by the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation's Everyone Goes Home Program.  Information on the 16 initiatives can be found at www.lifesafteyinitiatives.com.  The Everyone Goes Home Program was developed to help prevent line of duty deaths and injuries within the fire service.  The 16 life safety initiatives were developed in 2004 and are intended to be the foundation for helping to reduce line of duty deaths.  The 16 initiatives are somewhat broad in nature but they are meant to be a starting point.  Each initiative gives a starting point for departments.  They are meant to get firefighters thinking and to expand upon them.  The fact that they are more vague allows each individual and each fire department to mold the initiatives to meet the needs of their department.  They are not a magic wand that can be waved to magically make these injuries and deaths go away but they are a foundation.

The first of the 16 life safety initiatives is cultural change.  Wow, that is a big one.  I don't think that it is a by coincidence or chance that this is the first initiative.  If your department has an unsafe culture or a culture resistant to change then none of the other 15 initiatives will be successful no matter how hard you work to implement them.  We all know the fire service can be resistive to change.  We are a culture with very deep roots and great pride.  Our history predates that of our government.  As you can imagine, with that much history and tradition it can be very difficult to affect change in the fire service.  I think there are some departments that wold fight fire without SCBA's or still wear 3/4 coats and roll-up boots if you would let them.  A common statement heard in a fire department is "that's the way we have always done it."  I love the history and tradition of the fire service but lets not be naive.  The fires we fight are not the same as the fires of old.  The world has changed and technology has evolved so we too must evolve.  We no long use steam engines pulled by a horse.  Why?  Because there is better technology available to us now.  Equipment has evolved so we evolved with it.  We must continue to evolve so we can keep up with the times.

Cultural change is the process of changing ones culture.  Pretty simple right?  Wrong.  Not only is the fire service made up of individuals from a very diverse background but the fire service is quite diverse as well.  Fire departments vary from city to city, state to state and region to region.  You could take a group of fire departments together from all over the country and it could literally seem like you were at a United Nations gathering.  Each department has its own identity and two neighboring departments could have values as different as night in day.  I'll even take it a step further... if you a take a department with multiple stations you will see individual personalities and values for each station.  Needless to say, cultural change is not as simple as making sweeping changes from one end of the country to the other.  Needless to say, each department will need to adapt these initiatives to meet the needs of their department.

So why is it difficult to affect change in the fire service.  As I mentioned earlier, the diversity and the history make it difficult to make changes but honestly its not really change that is the issue.  If you were bringing in the latest and greatest technology and using do-dads and whatchamacallits with all the cool bells and whistles it probably wouldn't be all that difficult.  The biggest resistance typically comes in regards to safety.  Are job is dangerous, there is inherent risk in what we do.  Many of us are macho.  In fact, many people think that they are indestructible!!  Why would you think that!?!  Just because we put on a navy blue shirt with a Maltese cross does not mean that we are super human.  I am pretty sure we bleed just the same as someone who is not a firefighter.  I am not saying we need to tip toe through this job in bubble wrap and be afraid of what might happen but come on, lets use some common sense.  If you look over the last 20 years the average number of line of duty deaths is around 100.  Some times its more, sometimes its less but typically it averages about 100.  Over the last 20 years we have also taken some pretty big steps as far as technology.  Trucks are safer, turnout gear is lighter and more heat resistive.  We have a lot more technology at our disposal that is supposed to make us safer yet we still average around 100 deaths a year.  Obviously there is a bigger issue at hand.  I think a lot of that is the BS idea that we are invincible.

How do we get our department to change its culture?  Cultural change will be easier in some departments than other.  Larger departments will take longer to get the change rolling than smaller ones just because of the sheer number of people on that department.  It will also depend on how extreme your department's culture is and how willing they are to have the "Courage to be Safe."  So how do it then.  The biggest key is to be an advocate for change.  Lead by example.  Promote the new ideas, don't shoot them down.  Believe it or not, peer pressure works in this situation.  Trust me, firefighters are good at peer pressure.  If someone is not conforming to the values or culture of the shift or department, most times the others on that shift or in that department will pressure the non-conformer until they change.  Change can and will happen in your department you just have to be patient.  You may have to chip away bit by bit but it will happen.  Find your allies and get them on board, your strength is in numbers.  Hopefully your administration is on board because the chief's backing can be a huge help.

Cultural change will not be easy.  It will probably be one of the toughest tasks in making your department safer but you can't give up.  If these initiatives are really important to you then you must have the resolve to push forward.  It may take months and it may even take years but stay the course and work to promote the safety your department deserves.

St Florian

It’s time again for another installment of history and tradition of the fire service.  So far we have discussed the Maltese cross and the Shamrock.  These two images have great meaning and are widely found in the fire service.  This month’s topic is also well known in the fire service and I would bet that you could walk into almost any firehouse in the country and find someone wearing or carrying the image of St Florian.  St Florian is a Christian saint and is the patron saint of Linz, Austria, chimney sweeps and firefighters.  A patron saint is a saint or angel who is chosen as a special guardian or protector over areas of life.  These areas can range from occupations, illnesses or really anything that is important to us.  Typically patron saints are chosen by the Pope and they are usually chosen because of an interest, talent or event in their lives that overlaps with a special area.  While there are a couple other saints that are associated with fire and fire prevention, St Florian is the most widely known in regards to firefighting.  If you look at a fire catalog or website it is not difficult to find items carrying the image of St Florian available for purchase. 

So why is St Florian the patron saint of firefighters?  Florian was an officer in the Roman army in the 3^rd century.  Florian had converted to Christianity but had kept it a secret until he was ordered to kill a group of Christians during the persecutions of Diocletian.  Florian refused to follow the order and professed his faith.  Once it was known that Florian was a Christian he was ordered to be put to death.  Typically during this time people were put to death by fire.  This did not scare Florian as he challenged the Roman soldiers to light the fire, saying “If you do, I will climb to heaven on the flames.”  So instead of burning him to death, the soldiers beat him, set him on fire, and tied a stone around his neck and threw him in the river.  Because he was not afraid to die by fire, St Florian became the patron saint of firefighters.  St Florian is also known for stopping a fire with a single pitcher of water thus adding to his connection to firefighters.  St Florian is considered a powerful protector in danger from fire, and floods and against drowning.

Whether you are a spiritual or religious individual or not St Florian is deeply rooted in the history of the fire service.  Like a lot people, I tend to be a little bit superstitious.  I wear a St Florian medallion every day.  Do I think it is going to save me from a fire? No, I don’t but I like what it stands for and I like to think there is someone watching over us when we go to work.  Whether it is St Florian, or a lucky penny or some other keepsake someone carries, I don’t really think it matters.  I think it is the meaning or personal connection to that item that really matters.  If it makes you feel safer in a fire, or closer to your family when you are away, then carrying that item is great.  Sometimes it is the little things that make some of the terrible things we see in this job more bearable.   It is for that reason that you see so many firefighters carrying items that bear St Florian’s image.  St Florian is forever rooted in the traditions of the fire service.  May he watch over and protect us all.

Family Support

This morning I read an article titled "Adaptability: A Necessary Quality For the Firefighter Spouse" by Anne Gagliano.  Anne is a firefighter's wife and in her article she talks about how being adaptable has enabled her marriage to be successful.  Its a great article and I highly recommend reading it.  After reading the article it got me thinking about my wife, our marriage and what she means to me.  With that being said, I want to dedicate this post to my beautiful and awesome wife Samantha.  This ones for you Sam!!

Firefighting is a crazy job, our hours are hectic and many times our families are left to fend for themselves as we head off to work for 24 hours at a time.  Volunteer firefighter's families experience similar frustration as it seems like the pager goes off at the most inopportune time...during dinner, Christmas and Thanksgiving.  Needless to say this job can be stressful on a family.  Thats why its important to have strong family support and a strong relationship.

When I go off to work each day my most important goal is to get back home the next day and see my wife.  I have a big family, a lot of friends all of which I care about very much but at the end of the day the driving factor for me is my wife.  I am very lucky in the fact that I have a very awesome wife.  She is truly my best friend and she has stood by me and supported me through my toughest times.  In her defense though, I don't think she truly understood what she was getting into when I joined the fire department.  I started as a paid on call firefighter so I was on call every third night.  It seems like the pager would always go off at the most inopportune time.  While I am sure my wife was frustrated most of those times, she new it was something I loved and she supported me.  Now I am a career firefighter every third day I am gone for 24 hours at a time.  I know its hard on my wife but again, she knows how much I love the job so she supports me.  I am sure there are times she worries about me while I am at work or is afraid that I might not come home but she is strong and doesn't let that concern show.  She is an amazing women and an amazing wife and an amazing friend.

The article than Anne wrote talks about adaptability and the need for firefighter's spouses to exhibit that quality.  I think it is also important for the firefighter to be adaptable as well.  I am not talking about on the fire ground or in the fire house,  I am talking about at home and with the family.  Once I became a firefighter, I was instantly in love with the job.  I wanted to spend every opportunity I could at the fire house.  Unfortunately I focused on being a firefighter too much and ended up putting the fire department before my wife.  I wasn't being adaptable.  I was expecting her to adapt to the department and my needs but I wasn't willing to adapt to her needs and wants.  That absolutely wasn't fair to her.  She deserved much more than that from me.  It took time and hardship but eventually I realized what my true priorities were in my life.  Once I refocused my life and reset my priorities things definitely got better.  My wife still has to be adaptable but I am trying to be more adaptable as well.  Despite my hectic schedule I try and prioritize my time at home with my wife.

What it really comes down to is this.  We all have people in our lives that support us.  When we go off to work for a day, they carry on with their lives.  They take the kids to school or to games while we are gone.  In my eyes, my wife is truly my biggest hero.  She doesn't complain when I have to work weekends or holidays or if I have to work overtime or whatever the situation may be.  She listens to me yap on and on about different fire stuff even though most times I think she could care less.  She is my test audience for my presentations and provides me feedback to help make me better.  She is truly awesome and the best wife a guy could ask for.  Her support is amazing and without her I would be lost.  I think every firefighter should be lucky enough to have a support system like I do.

Wildland Firefighting

With what seems like all of the state of Colorado on fire right now I wanted to dedicate this post to the brave men and women who are out west battling those wild fires right now.  I certainly would not want to be in their shoes right now.

I have fought grass fires in my career but the thought of going up against a blaze that has consumed hundred and hundreds of acres is downright intimidating.  The biggest grass fire I have ever battled was maybe 40 to 80 acres.  Thankfully there was a farmer near by with a disc and he was able to create a nice fire stop for us.  That made our jobs a lot easier that day.  Right now there are countless firefighters gearing up with not much more than axes, saws and Pulaski tools and hiking in to battle this raging wild fire.  That just amazes me.  The task at hand is very daunting to say the least.  I don't know how they do it.

Typical gear of a wildland firefighter

I have a very limited knowledge of wildland firefighting and the tactics they use.  We learned about wildland firefighting in FFI but it was very limited to say the least.  That basic knowledge and the experience I have fighting grass fires is really all I can draw on to try and envision what they are going through.  Firefighting, whether it is structural or wildland, is very physically demanding.  In fact, it is really very difficult to compare the two since the two tasks are so different and that really isn't the point of this post.  These men and women can be gone for weeks at a time fighting these fires.  They are out there with nothing more than what they packed in with them. They battle huge fires that can change directions as quickly as the wind does.  These men and women are busy digging fire stops, cutting trees and doing what ever they can to slow the blaze down.  Its tough work and they need to be recognized for the job they are doing.  Seeing pictures of the current wild fire with 30 and 40 feet tall flames is incredible.

These people do a truly amazing job.  I have heard that wildland firefighters think structural firefighters are crazy for going into a burning building and I think that most structural firefighters think the same about wildland firefighters.  We each have our specialty and we respect the other group for what they do.  We may fight different types of fire but at the end of the day we are all firefighters and because of that they are my brothers and sisters.  They have done a tremendous job with the task at hand and I wish them all the best!

Public Perception

We all know that public employees are under scrutiny and getting beat up by the public in the current economic environment.  They see us as lazy and overpaid.  They think our pensions are unfair and that we do nothing but sit around and watch TV all day.  We know this is not a fair judgement of what we do and obviously we want to change that perception.  We know it is our job to get out there on the streets and work to change the public perception of what we do.  Before you go running to the next block party or PR event let me ask you this.... What is your perception of the public?

Why am I asking you this question and why is it important?  Well lets think about it for a second.  We know one of the ways to build a better image of ourselves is to be out in the public and work to garner their support.  This is a sure fire plan right?  Wrong...  I am not telling you that public involvement is a bad idea or that it isn't the right idea but I want you to think about a few things before you do it.  There are a lot of things you need to consider such as the demographics of your response area.  What is the average age, what is the median income, what is the percentage of residential vs commercial properties. The list goes on and on but my point is, just like you review your 1st due area for the types of fires you will have to fight you need to size up your residents before you launch your PR campaign.  Plan your events around those demographics.  Blood pressure checks for seniors are not going to go over very well if you have no seniors in your area you know what I mean?

One last thing I want to touch on is this.  What is your personal attitude towards PR events and what is your perception of the public in your area.  Do you do PR events because you have to or do you get excited about them?  What do you think of the public you serve?  Are they merely patients and residents or do you feel part of the community.  Do you genuinely want to provide a service and help these people or are they just another run?  These are things you need to think about before you go out and do a PR event.  If you go into these events with a negative perception or a negative attitude you may win some people over but your results won't be as good as they could be.  I know that it can get tedious at times going to all the different PR events but we can't let that show when we are out in the public.  Go out there and have fun.  Try to provide PR that is value added.  Look at this not as volunteering your time but rather as an investment into the future of your department.  It truly is an investment.  The more support and allies you can generate the better.  If there is ever a situation were cuts are being considered these allies will come to your aid and help fight for your department.  If they feel you are a part of their community and you have put in the time to build those relationships they will show up and they will show up in droves.  They will stand beside you and fight to protect your department.  Trust me, it works.  We just have to put in the time and effort to build those relationships and let the public know what we are really about.

The Shamrock

Are you ready for a little more fire service history and tradition?  I have already talked about the Maltese Cross.  There is another symbol that is seen quite often in the fire service--the shamrock.  Did you ever wonder why the shamrock is so prevalent in the fire service?  The present day fire service is home to Emerald Societies, the bagpipers and many big city rosters are full of Irish surnames.  Is it a coincidence or is there more to the story?

In 1845 the Great Potato Famine struck Ireland and led to mass immigration of the Irish into America.  During the famine years, nearly a million Irish arrived in America.  As you may know, the Irish settlers were not exactly welcomed to the US.  Many of the settlers were mocked and faced hard times in America.  During this period there were a limited number of unskilled jobs available and many Americans were worried that the Irish immigrants would be willing to work for lower wages and undercut them for jobs.  This led to an increase in anti-Irish sentiment in cities like New York and Boston.  Many employers posted “No Irish Need Apply” signs to keep these unwanted guests from taking American jobs.  The only jobs these Irish immigrants could get were the dirty and dangerous civil service jobs that no one else wanted.  As a result many Irish immigrants became firefighters and police officers.

As the Irish-American presence in the fire service grew, they began to affix images of the shamrock to their apparatus and uniforms as a way to show their Irish pride.  The shamrock also became a subtle message to their fellow Irishmen that the fire service was a place where they would not be discriminated against.  Through the years, the number of Irish-Americans in the fire service continued to grow and the shamrock became another image synonymous with the fire service.  It is not uncommon to see shamrock decals on helmets, trucks or incorporated into company logos.  As I mentioned last month, the Brooklyn Fire Department’s badge was a shamrock up until the Brooklyn and New York Fire Departments merged.

As the Irish population took hold in the fire service, so did the Irish culture and tradition.  Like the shamrock, the bagpipe was another Irish tradition that took root in the fire service culture.  The bagpipes were often played at Celtic weddings and funerals, so naturally this tradition carried over to the fire service.  The pipes and drums are now a staple of many fire service ceremonies and honor guards.

Another group that emerged with the increase in Irish-Americans in the fire service are Emerald Societies.  Emerald Societies are social organizations created to promote the fraternal spirit of firefighters of Irish ancestry.  Emerald Societies typically work to celebrate the Irish heritage and provide a positive influence in the communities where their members serve.

  The fire service provided an opportunity for many of these immigrants to seek work and make a difference.  The different cultures brought many of their cultural traditions with them and they became staples of fire service tradition.  When you see a shamrock on a helmet or the bagpipers perform at a ceremony, take a minute to reflect on where those traditions came from.  Having some Irish heritage in my family tree myself, it makes me proud to know that my brothers before me opened their doors and offered opportunities to the Irish immigrants that could not find work anywhere else.  Carry these traditions forward with pride, and honor those who came before us.

Leadership

Leadership, wow that's is a big broad topic.  I could throw various definitions of leadership at you, but what is the point, if you want the dictionary definition its not hard to find.  Let me give you my definition of leadership.  A leader is someone who is able to motivate others to complete a common goal.  I like this definition because it is simple and to the point.  A leader gets people to get things done.  

Of course with almost anything you have good and bad.  Leadership is no different, you will find good leaders and bad leaders.  You will find leaders that fall anywhere within that spectrum.  So what makes a good leader?  Again, that is a broad question.  You could ask a million people and get a million different answers.  Since I am writing this, I will tell you what I think makes a good leader.  I think a good leader gets people to complete the common goal but by doing that in a way that is neither misguided or manipulative.  A leader should embody the mission and values of the organization they represent.  You have to have continuity from top to bottom.  You could be a great motivator but if you are guiding people on a mission that contradicts that of the organization are you really being a good leader?  I say no.  Leaders need to be strong and confident on the exterior.  You may be scared as hell on the inside but the minute you let that show, your people will pick up on it right away.  A leader needs to be able to think quickly and react to situations as they change.  You can't second guess yourself and you can't hesitate.  As a leader you have to be confident in your decisions and stick to them.  Once you start to second guess yourself the people you are trying to lead will begin to question you.  I also think a good leader needs to be able to take chances.  Let me rephrase that, a good leader needs to be able to take calculated risks.  There are some situations where a clear answer may not be available, a good leader will assess the situation and may need to take a calculated risk to get the job done.  A good leader has to be able to motivate, diffuse tense situations, promote morale among the group.  You should be able to coach and mentor your group as well.  A good leader sees those around him and does not try and hold them back.  They need to recognize the strengths of their people and allow them to utilize those strengths.  You should want those who follow you to succeed and excel, it will only reflect well on you as a leader.

So what makes a bad leader?  Oh wow, I could probably go on on about this topic but I will spare you from that soapbox.  I have been around the block a time or two so I have seen good leaders and bad leaders.  I have worked for my fair share of bad leaders.  Working for a bad leader is beyond frustrating.  The easy definition of a bad leader is to read the last paragraph and just think of the opposite of those traits.  Bad leaders seem to suck the morale out a group.  They can make you feel incompetent and like your opinion doesn't matter.  They seem to stifle your ability at every turn.  Bad leaders tend put their motives in front of those of the group.  Bad leaders "pass the blame and accept the praise!"  This quote is just a play on the leadership axiom "pass the praise and accept the blame" but it really is true.  Bad leaders accept the praise for the groups efforts but seem to do everything than can to avoid the blame if the group fails.  That is not what being a leader is about.

So where am I going with this?  To be honest I have started this paragraph 3 times now and have finally settled on a direction.  I want to describe what I like to see in an informal leader in the fire service.  An informal leader is the leader in the company that is not promoted to a leadership position.  Those are your formal leaders that are promoted to leadership positions such as Lieutenant, Captain and Chief.  An informal leader is not promoted but has earned the respect of the crew and helps promote the mission of the formal leader.  A good informal leader starts by leading by example.  They get out there and get the job done and follow the policies and guidelines of the department.  They do things thoroughly and do things right.  They set the example for the crew.    A good informal leader also needs to be a vocal leader to an extent.  They don't necessarily bark orders or verbally direct the crew but they need to be able to speak up when needed.  If they see something happening that does not fit the mission they need to speak up.  If there are questions or concerns amongst the crew they speak up.  If they have built the trust of their crew they can become that crew's voice if need be.  As an informal leader you need to have the guts to speak up.  You may have to call someone out if they are slacking or if their behavior is inappropriate.  Its a tough thing to do but as a leader there will be times you have to make the tough decision.  People may not like it but if you speak up in the right way and do what is best for the crew, people will respect that.  

Leadership is a must have quality in the fire service.  We are a para-military organization so rank structure is key and people will be formally placed in a leadership role.  These people are key to the success of the department but an informal leader can have an even bigger impact on the department.  If you have good informal leaders amongst the crews you will have a successful department.  They will set the tone for the crews.  They will lead by example and they will speak up when needed.  They take the rookies under their wings and make sure they have the knowledge to be successful.  Even if your department has good formal leaders they may still struggle without the presence of a good informal leader.  If you have good formal leaders and good informal leaders together they will make your department great.  Their teamwork will make crews that much better.  It is certainly a winning combination.