Pride, Honor, Respect, Tradition, Duty. Is it still taught to our people?

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Permalink Reply by Bill "Grits" MacGregor on February 14, 2009 at 8:07pm

Remeber our first assigment on the fire ground, "Our safety before others" If you are being held back by others don't just sit there. Get up and train, learn, and lead yourself into the next phase of your existance.
Todd Trudeau said:

Art, I will agree with you in that the more senior members SHOULD be instilling the job and the "Art" (pun intended) of it. Unfortunately, in my place, that's just not happening. Admittedly, some of the middle of the road guys are attempting (myself included) but if they (we) don't get the support from the "leaders" and decision makers (Batt. Chiefs and Chief), what should we really expect to happen?

Let's face it, a probie shows up to work and hears his bosses say comments like "we're just here for a paycheck and a pension" or "don't listen to so and so or that officer because he don't know what he's talking about" followed up with "we never do it that way", he probably won't go above and beyond when the middle of the road guys are trying to make the difference and improve the operation as a whole. I believe everyone must contribute more than their share, however it ultimately starts at the top. The top sets the tone for the entire dept., much the same as the initial IAP, apparatus placement and stretch sets the tone for the entire operation.

Sorry for venting but I've been dealing with this type of mentality for a number of years and it's very frustrating. All you guys posting the positives of this job are very inspiring to me and I am continuing the fight in my little world. The tide is ever so slowly turning in the right direction but I'm a little to impatient I guess :). Thank you to years and years of not thinking "it" will happen here!

OK, I'm done. Whew!

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Permalink Reply by Todd Trudeau on February 23, 2009 at 4:32pm

Bill,
I will definately keep on doing my part as best as possible and drag as many along (that are willing to come) that I can. I know that everything moves at a snail's pace in the fire service, I just need to work on my patience. Easier said than done though.
KTF and bring everybody home!

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Permalink Reply by Eddie Crombie on February 27, 2009 at 2:19pm

Joe, I agree with what your concerns are. I think to know where you want to go you need to know where you have been. All new members should get a class on firefighting history as well as what history and traditions are alive in their own department.

There are so many major incidents where a lot of good men lost their lives that most firefighters do not know about. I think most of this is just ignorance because they do not even know they happened. Thats where education comes in. You could say I am in the "ME" generation, but I take pride in my job and prefer the "old school" approach. When it all comes down to it you can not teach Pride. Either you have it or you don't. The ones that are eager will learn will. There will always be mutts in the service.

Great thread Joe.

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Permalink Reply by Drew Smith on February 28, 2009 at 1:15am

To all,

I used to beat the "those kids don't..." bandwagon then I read a few things and thought a lot. It's not them-it's us. We need to impart our values and give them a vision of what they need to look like in 5, 10, 15, etc. years.

Not that ours is "right" but we have a mission statement with a long list of vision and values we truley believe in. It is posted prominently in the kitchen of both our stations and is poster sized with about 15-20 photos surrounding it showing us over the year training, handling incidents and having fun. I bring up these points on a regular basis during training and discussion.
Our mission, vision and values (I know some of you will think this is crap but if I had more sexy, non-corporate america word to use I would) are also on our website www.prospectheightsfire.com along with the istory of our FD from 1944-2007. I just completed and update which we hope to add to the site soon and this update will also be in our new Career Development Guide which is being proofread currently.
In our updated history I have a roster of every vehicle th FD has owned, what roles it has served, the capcity of the pump, etc. I also have photos.

We need to find one or two guys for starters who can ebrace our passion. Those guys will spread the word. This is mentoring and you don't need a written plan to make it happen. These things also take time, like years-not weeks and months. As I write this I recall many of the periods in our last 30 years when morale was high and low, sometimes at the same time for different reasons. Don't become discouraged.

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