Well by now we are all already busy with our 2020 projects and life happenings. I hope everyone had the opportunity to connect with friends and family and offer assistance to your communities during the various holidays closing out last year.
Let’s talk about a new year and new things in this edition. Since we are after the “official” setting of your New Year’s resolutions this hopefully will be something you can work out that will be more easily obtainable. The normal resolutions seem to deal with weight loss, less tobacco use, less alcohol, more time with family, less stress at work and various other related topics. The reality is those resolutions often fall by the wayside within a short time, but we will resolve in 2021 to do a better job at addressing those issues.
So let’s talk about some “new” things that you can work on. Have you sought out any new training over the last year or years? If not, maybe this is the year to do so. None of us is ever totally prepared for all aspects of this profession no matter how long we have been around. With this in mind how about we each take a few extra minutes and seek out and complete some new training. Knowledge is never a bad thing and in this profession it might just be something that keeps you alive. There are numerous opportunities out there whether located within striking distance of your location or perhaps on that crazy thing that got invented called the internet. It is amazing how many things are available online that are useful. Just remember not all online resources are credible. So be careful out there and being able to attend face-to-face training is an even better avenue.
Have you embraced the simple tasks placed before us to help reduce some of the cancer causing exposures? If not, maybe now is the time to work on those “new” concepts. How hard can it be to start doing some gross decontamination at fire scenes, not taking part in re-habilitation without cleaning our hands and faces, wearing our SCBA and PPE properly or laundering our PPE regularly? All of these items can be fairly simple and if they are not already part of your or your department’s normal operations make this year the year to do these “new” things.
Have you worked on your leadership skills recently? Keep in mind that we each, from the Chief to the brand new member have a part in making sure that leadership works. Remember that having a title does not necessarily make you a leader. Although some respect should be given to those with a title, the respect given a leader is earned. If the brand new members don’t understand who the leader is, where do you see their career heading? If the “leaders” don’t lead then where do you see your department headed? Take the time and work on your leadership skills. There is training that can help and those that are currently “leaders” should never forget to mentor those around you so they can appropriately fit into the leadership plan both long and short term.
What have you done recently to reach out to your community and offer support beyond during their time of need? Remember those community members you serve are the ones that provide you with the opportunity to serve including the equipment and facilities you have. This is true whether you are municipal department, fire district or association. There are so many things that we can do to make sure our communities know we exist and for them to understand our worth and why it takes money from them to make the services available. If you haven’t changed your business model recently to embrace the community and put yourself out in front of the locals then this is time to try out some “new” techniques of engaging those around you.
Where is your agency at on recruitment and retention? It is likely, from what almost every professional journal article indicates, that your agency struggles from time to time to get new members or to keep the ones you have. Wages, time commitment and busy lives all can play a part in why people come or go, or maybe don’t even join to begin with, but what are you doing as an individual or as a department to encourage recruitment or retention? Although some people don’t look at it this way, a fire department is really a business in many respects. Yes, we are not selling bobbles for people to take home and we may be the only “show” in town, but we are still a business. When you look around at the “standard” businesses in your area do you notice that they are constantly doing things to “sell” themselves to the public as the best option for shopping or services? That same concept can be applied to the fire service so maybe this year you should step up your game on “new” ways to “sell” your agency to recruit or retain members.
How do you get along with your neighboring emergency services organizations? Some of us will say all things are great and we work well together. Sometimes this is the concept, but is it reality? What you do and how you perform are vital to getting along with the neighbors. Whether it be interaction with law enforcement, other fire agencies, EMS or EMA and other similar services do you really get along as well as you think? Maybe this is the year you try something “new” and reach out to your neighbors and interact away from an emergency scene. Joint training opportunities and maybe informal social gatherings can go a long way to making sure you really are as mutually cooperative as you think you are. Get to know your neighbors, make sure you each understand what the other’s capabilities are BEFORE it is time to perform. Things will likely go better and you will find it is easier to work with others when you are all on mutual footing.
My last “new” thing is working at the Missouri State Fair Fire Department (MSSFD). If you haven’t done this in the past I encourage you to try something new and submit your application to work some or all of the fair. The services provided during this event are no less significant or professional than those you are providing locally whether you are a career, combination or volunteer agency. The MSFFD is as good as the people that are willing to work so take that leap and do what you can to help it continue to do the outstanding work that has been performed for many years.
So with all of these “new” things available it would appear that we each can pick out one or more to spend some time and energy on. I think you will find these “new” things more obtainable than a few of the New Year’s resolutions made in good faith. Try a few and see how things go. You might be surprised at the impact these have on you personally and on your agency.
As always, if I can be of assistance please contact me.
Be Safe!
FFAM
