Larry Browne's Blog (6)

In this next installment of Our Own Worst Enemies, I tackle pride and perception.

But first, I want to make a confession. I am guilty of almost all of the behaviors I have railed against. I openly and freely admit it, and to all that I have subjected my anger to, I'm sorry. Not an excuse, but it's hard to separate the anger directed towards one's self and not have it spill over to others. When the atmosphere you're in is toxic, and there's no known PPE against it, it takes maturity…

What are we doing to each other? We are driven to serve, use the terms brother and sister religiously, put our lives on the line for people we've never met. Yet we are terrible to one another.

The adage "That's the way it's always been." is a common reply. "We bust chops. It's a firehouse thing." "Look how we turned out." All common responses to questions about…

There's been much said about the level of discourse on social media, both in and outside the fire service. Having been involved in a social media incident with my fire company, I know that the rhetoric can devolve to a point that can make seasoned veterans, men who have volunteered their entire adult lives, saved people, and carried on a family tradition, brought to the point of considering leaving the fire service because of the words of others in the fire service based on a…

Public safety is unique in so many ways, as we all know.

Our audience calls on us in time of crisis. We interact at the worst time for many, a perspective that lasts and is usually tinged by tragedy and loss. It is also why we have a difficult time interacting with the same audience when the situation is normal.

Our audience relies on us to keep them safe and be there when called. They also see us when we're not engaged, and make assumptions when there is no information. A…

PokemonGo is a cultural phenomenon. In a matter of a week, it has made headlines, both good and bad globally. It has also gotten people of all ages walking around their communities, looking for game goals.

Last weekend, I was out with my 15 year-old daughter and asked her if our firehouse had any part in the game. She was unaware at the time, so we drove by. It is a Pokemon Gym, where players can come and work on skills. Foot traffic in our borough has visibly increased recently with…

In the wake of the Dallas tragedy, public safety is once again in the spotlight, as it was after 9/11. After 9/11, if you identified as a member of the public safety community, strangers on the street would give thanks, baked goods were donated to stations, and there was a renewed interest in our safety and well being. Once that atmosphere faded, I heard many in public safety ask "Where's the love? Everyone's forgotten us again."

The thanks and baked goods are back. What can we do in…