Why should it matter if you think like a Warrior? There are plenty of ways to view our trade but I really believe that the Warrior Mindset will have a much greater impact on reducing preventable line of duty injuries and fatalities; ultimately that is my goal. A reasonable question for someone to ask is, “Why do you think that, Chris?” I hope to give you an answer.I feel that there are two key mindsets that we see all living creatures come back to when they are placed in life and limb threatening situations. They react as predators, 100% present in the moment with laser like focus on success, or they react as prey, blissful unaware of what is occurring until it reaches out an kills them. So, let me ask you, are you a predator, or are you prey?
I don’t think this analogy is a stretch. The reality is that under the most threatening of scenarios your Sympathetic Nervous System will drive you to act like prey: you may irrationally fight or flee, you may freeze, you may submit. What does a dog do when it feels like it has been bested? It rolls on its back and sticks its belly in the air. That is a sign of submission. It is an acceptance that the other animal has won. What does the predator do though, even when it is on the loosing end of the engagement? It will continually fight to find a way to win, or it disengages in a way that will allow it to come in again to bring down its prey. Lt. Col. Dave Grossman writes of “Wolves, Sheep, and Sheep Dogs” to illustrate the differences between criminals, the normal person, and the Warriors who stand between the sheep and the wolves. That is a great way of recognizing the relationship that exists, but when it comes to the underlying reaction to stress, the Predator mindset is present in both the Wolf and the Sheepdog. The difference is that that Sheepdog chooses to become a predator of the wolf’s.
That is the Warrior mindset. It is the choice to become like a predator to kill a predator. It is the choice to accept the possibility of death or injury, not because you have been subjected to it, but because you want to protect others. The Warrior mindset then becomes the motivator for the thoughts, actions, and belief systems that guide you as you prepare for the battle.
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Are you the soldier on the left, or the Warrior on the right? Which one looks like prey? |
So, take some time this week and think about how you view yourself. Self-awareness is a critical skill in developing our 4th Dimensional Firefighting model, where our understanding of self becomes and asset in preparing to thrive on the fireground. What role do you choose to play? I’m serious about this one, give it some deep thought. Figure out in what life circumstances do you act like a self directed Warrior out to protect society and when do you act like one of the lazy masses. When do you put your belly in the air? Once you can honestly know those skills, situations, and moments in life that make you want to submit, to quit, then you can begin training to beat them.
Chris,
ReplyDeleteI think we can learn a great deal from the military metaphor and military psychology (particularly working under stress and decision-making), but a critical question for firefighters and fire officers relates to the nature of our work. Paul Young, the Chief Fire Officer with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service in the UK asked participants in an IAFC workshop:
Are we participating in an individual struggle with a dangerous enemy?
Or are we part of a disciplined, organized, and coordinated attack on an increasingly well understood chemical reaction?
Ed,
ReplyDeleteFirst let me start by saying thank you not only for visiting but also for taking the time to comment. Your comment brings forth tremendous bait for discussion.
I recently attended a presentation in Colorado Springs by Lt. John Ceriello of the FDNY a man I believe you know well. John concluded his presentation by discussing the European Fire Service and what we can learn from our counterparts. The comment that stands out in my mind the most is that the European Fire Service was born from the military and the American Fire Service was born from the volunteers. While there is great pride and tradition in our history our approach to professionalism and preparation may be years behind because of it.
John also discussed the disproportionate amount of time spent in classrooms learning fire behavior and fire science. We in the American fire service can certainly learn from this and increasing our fire behavior/science curriculum would certainly improve us all.
I also have found with our enemy that there are times where great leaps in scientific understanding also opens our eyes to how little we can control or identify. The UL study on ventilation that you were involved with is perhaps the most timely and profound example. The fact that a closed interior hollow core door can make a room immediately adjacent to the fire room may make it more tenable for victims and firefighters than a room 10 feet down the hall and around the corner.
"Are we participating in an individual struggle with a dangerous enemy?
Or are we part of a disciplined, organized, and coordinated attack on an increasingly well understood chemical reaction? "
The answer is yes and yes. We only truly control ourselves and we shall work to be sharp of mind, fit in our body, strong in will and proficient in skill to be given the best chance in that individual struggle with a dangerous enemy. We also must study diligently and push our leadership and legislation to support research and development in the fire behavior and science.
Unfortunately even with great leaps in both areas we may never be able to identify, engineer out or even avoid all the hazards and uncontrolled variables we will face.
I once again thank you sir for sparking a discussion and comparison that while controversial is both healthy and eyeopening. I know that Fire Service Warrior is actively looking in every corner of the world for ways to improve even if it goes against all we may have thought or been taught before. That said change will never come quick and our ethos will not be compromised.
Brian Brush