Complacency Kills

In most cases, complacency will result in the death of a business due to a lack of innovation and progression in a competitive market however, in the business of the fire service complacency can result in actual death.  This complacency does not have to occur on the fire-ground itself, in fact most of the complacent acts begin long before the bell goes off.  Consider yourself to be in the same line of work as a soldier in a war-zone since both have the same deadly consequences.  Do you think the soldier’s first time checking out his rifle occurs during a firefight?  I bet not!  Do you think the first time a soldier trains on strategies and tactics is as he is entering a building full of insurgents?  I bet not!

The truth is, that we are given ample opportunities to prevent death by complacency prior to the emergency tones going off.  The basics of our job is what kills people.  Firefighter doesn’t check out airpack, air pack fails, firefighter dies.  That is the direct line of complacency killing someone.  The less noticeable line occurs through years of “checking boxes” in regards to inspections, training and other mundane tasks.  This type of complacency becomes a tradition that is passed down through the generations of firefighters.  It may not kill you or your crew but a generation or two down the line, it will.

As an officer, there should be a generous portion of energy expended to combat the complacency that occurs when people are required to do the same thing over and over.  Getting involved, incorporating different aspects of training, and requiring your crew to maintain proficiency are all ways to combat this epidemic.  Ultimately, whether on an emergency scene or sitting at the breakfast table with your crew, complacency has the potential of death!

Resisting Change….. Why?

Change is an easy word to say but the principle behind it is extremely complicated.  Everything we are taught, we practice until we can do it in our sleep.  This is one reason some firefighters have a hard time changing.  A perfect example is something I realize I still do.  As a CPR instructor I keep up with the updates but I have noticed something I consistently revert to in the event of a real full arrest.  New standards have simplified the hand placement however, I always find the rib cage, run my finger to the xyphoid process and go two fingers above it.  This is a simple example of one of the many skills we are suppose to practice to mastery and change as “better” ways are found.

Beyond going with our training pattern,  another resistance to change occurs due to repetitive results .  Positive results by specific actions, whether right or wrong, are often picked over and over again because to the person making the choice, they have successfully fixed the issue.  Examples of this behavior are ample throughout the fire service, more specifically in the LODD’s and near miss reports.  Something as simple as forgetting helmet straps to not wearing gloves on an extrication may get you by for several years with no problem.  Every time you chose that action and it either reaps positive results or fails to reap a negative result, it becomes more and more valid of an option.  This behavior often goes on long enough until you teach it to someone else who has less fortune and suffers for the practice.

The third major resistance to change may be the easiest to recognize but the hardest to correct.  Attitude towards change is based out of many petty issues but the biggest is rooted in fear of the unknown.  As we progress through our career, we become accustomed to how things work.  Promoting change creates waves, requires critical thinking and analyzing of unfamiliar territory and takes many out of their comfort zone.  Coupled with repetitive training and positive results feeding the old saying of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” gets thrown around a lot.  The truth about our resistance to change is that times are changing, rank structuring is evolving, economies are requiring out of the box thinking….. without change we will find our place in history by limiting our future.

 

End of Year Thoughts

The holidays mark the end of another year in which many reflect back to decide how the year went, while others begin to make promises for the next year.  As a Company Officer, this reflection often includes more than the obvious personal reflection.  Evaluating the call volume, overall crew performance, LODD’s and near misses allow us to put the year as a fire service into perspective.  This year I urge everyone to look inside and figure out how you fit into the grand scheme of things.  Some call this pride however, I think of it as giving a damn. The truth about an organizational reflection is that it only looks at statistical facts.  Only the individuals in the organization can understand how their performance plays into those statistics.  How do you feel about your performance the over the year?  Do you even know what to look at?  Have you taken responsibility for your role in the strengths and weaknesses of the department?  As a start of this evaluation I have compiled a short list to help others get started:

1.  Have I identified, embodied and promoted the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives?

2.  What have I done to prepare myself and my crew for the jobs we are expected to do?

3.  Have I fostered a positive environment that advances my crew (station, department) to the next skill level?

4.  What kind of image have I portrayed as a public servant?

5.  Have I pushed myself and crew towards obtaining higher education?

6.  If there are retention or morale problems with the department how have I made them better or worse?

7.  What are my strengths? Weaknesses?

8.  How involved am I with the career field? (technology, techniques, laws, communication, leadership)

These simple questions are only a beginning to creating a plan for the upcoming year.  The next issue can be boiled down to what you are willing to do to ensure next year’s evaluation turns out to be better than this one.  Are you going to be the average US citizen that makes a New Year’s resolution only to falter in it’s execution?  I think its time to stand up and stop accepting failure or defeat.  Demand excellence of yourself and those around you.  Spend everyday making your department better.  Next year when we look back on things hopefully we will be able to say we are proud of the fact that we gave it our all and made the world a better place! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!