I don't have much desire to live in a cave or a small hut on the side of a mountain. I like hotels with a nice concierge, free wi-fi, and a bar with real wood paneling and nice 18 year old whiskeys. I say this to make it clear I have not set out to write a manifesto. I think that some folks have felt that I'm trying to keep firefighting rooted in the past without a sense of today's realities. Sorry kids, you've missed the point.
I mentioned earlier today that David S. took some exceptions to my post about Culture. He raised a point, "... I'm not sure why you are opposed to initiatives that have the intent to make firefighting safer for the firefighter." It's a point I want to take the time to answer.
I think that the fire service does need to be proactive in dealing with firefighter deaths, and more importantly fireground injuries. We hurt more firefighters on the fireground in one year than the US Military had wounded-in-action from October 2001 through September 2008. That is a far more sobering statistic than our Line of Duty Death numbers.
If we are going to begin changing a culture trend in the fire service it is the culture of mediocrity that pervades so many firehouses. I've seen it so many times. Firefighters who can only be classified as being "in-shape" if "egg-like" is a shape. Men and women who cannot wait to don a Fire Department T-Shirt, Hat, and Belt-Buckle and walk around hoping people will notice, but are scared s&^#less when they are confronted with a burning building. Officers who hold their rank because of elections (a horrible popularity contest far too many times). All of these factors (and more) contribute to a culture where mediocrity is the accepted standard.
Firefighting is a Combat Position. My feeling is that the points in the 16 Life Safety Initiatives are critical based on the assumption that we have mediocre firefighters. They are vague statements.
6 - "Develop and implement national medical and physical fitness standards that are equally applicable to all firefighters, based on the duties they are expected to perform."
That sounds great, but what does it tell you? Nothing. How about this: Firefighters must have the physical capacity to maintain a metabolic work load of 12 METS for 40 minutes without showing signs of cardiac compromise. All firefighters will meet the standards of the Candidate Physical Ability Test annually. Those numbers are based on two things, 1) the studies of the metabolic effort of firefighting and 2) the USFA Rehab guidelines. The CPAT has been acknowledged by the IAFC and the IAFF as a reasonable predictor of the physical capacity to perform the tasks of a firefighter. This information is not some kind of hidden mystery, it's available to anyone who wants to be a student of this trade.
If you don't want to be a mediocre firefighter then you will strive to be a warrior. You will train, you will be fit, and you will do everything possible to excel. You will own this job.
Here is the Ethos I would like to see us adopt.
1) Fire Service Warriors accept the duty to stand between their neighbors and unrestrained fire.
2) Fire Service Warriors acknowledge the dangers of their vocation and do everything possible to minimize those dangers unless it violates #1.
3) Fire Service Warriors believe that all human life has value and will do everything possible to save a human life.
4) Fire Service Warriors know that buildings do not spontaneously combust; if we aren't 100% sure the building is vacant WE SEARCH.
5) Fire Service Warriors acknowledge that to reduce the risk of Cardiac Compromise they will maintain an elite level of fitness.
6) Fire Service Warriors wear seat belts, helmet straps, SCBA, and all PPE.
7) Fire Service Warriors train EVERYDAY.
8) Fire Service Warriors own their responsibility to their Brothers and Sisters.
9) Fire Service Warriors honor our fallen by learning everything possible from their deaths and from the injuries and near misses of our compatriots.
10) Fire Service Warriors acknowledge the reputation of the fire service was earned by those who came before us, often at the cost of their lives, and strive to never tarnish that reputation.
Like the teachings of the Greek and Roman Stoics I don't see these as commandments, fixed forever without change, but as living ideas. I may be the guy who has "coined" there term Fire Service Warrior but this is a living concept.
Another balls on accurate commentary
ReplyDeletePeter L said...
ReplyDeleteif only this was the disease that spread around...
Chris,
ReplyDeleteAgain with the words. "culture of mediocrity" I am going to have to use that one somewhere again.
You know you could be very happy living like Ted Kaczynski. Take your weights to the mountainside and get those routines down to minimal times with no interferences.
Keep writing, piss a few people off. The conversations are priceless. There should be a set of response criteria that includes no personal attacks. This type of forum and other social media outlets are great if used properly. It is too easy to hide behind the flat screen and pound out things that would never be said face to face or even over the phone. Everyone cowboy up and be professionals.
Chris,
ReplyDelete"Quit Telling Me to Change My Culture".
This was an outstanding post. The comments that are posted show the passion that people have for this profession. In these comments I have seen passion, gratitude, frustration and comedy.
I served eight years in the USMC and I know what it is to prepare for war. At some point in time, we all have slacked off on our personal training. This post can be considered a motivational factor in getting back out there, getting into the gym and preparing for that upcoming battle.
As stated in the above comment, keep writing, bring the topics that need to be dealt with, keep stepping on the toes of mediocrity.
I did not see any personal attacks in the comments, but I did see one individual give a directive, that is very common between military personnel, but worded in a family friendly manner.
Great job, keep up the good work.
Chris,
ReplyDeleteGreat posts as always. I'm a little confused about who made the CPAT suggestion as an annual fitness test.
At any rate, I disagree. I think we should set the standards higher.
The CPAT is an absolute joke. No offense. It's a highly political test, set to the lowest possible standard.
I've seen plenty of fat bodies (and small bodies) pass the CPAT, often barely.
If we truly want to embrace the the physical culture of the warrior ethos we must hold our people to a much higher standard. Something along the lines of passing the Combat challenge in full PPE on air (to a single time standard, non gender specific) would be a much better standard to hold ourselves.
Remember, if we want to call ourselves WARRIORS...we must walk the talk, and most importantly respect those who truly ARE warriors and must continually earn the right to maintain that title.
You don't see many lardass SEALS, Rangers, Recon Marines, PJ's, or SF guys out there. They meet the physical performance standards continuously through the training pipeline and into their careers, or they don't make the cut, PERIOD!!!