THEIR BEST CHANCE OF SURVIVAL IS MY PREPAREDNESS..

Last night while on shift at my fire station, I had a very interesting conversation with another fireman. This fireman has some years under his belt and has my full respect and admiration, not because he is "senior" to me. But because of the situations I have been through with him on the fire ground and ems calls. 

Last night I caught myself complaining to him that I haven't had a "GOOD BURNER" in a while. I even went as far as to tell him that I am tired of the "practice reps" and wanted to be tested. I was going on and on about how I wanted to make sure I could be and was still capable of performing when called upon. That is when this fireman opened my eyes, and informed me my way of thinking was asinine. He went on to explain the following....That even though I may be progressing in my career as a strong and competent firefighter, I still have a ways to go.

 

Take a look at the firefighter in that picture. He would do anything right now to trade the lifeless body of that little girl for some of those so called "practice reps". Thinking as a parent and husband, and not a fireman for a minute, I can't imagine someone wanting to be "tested" by having my family trapped in a burning building. That is absolutely ridiculous when I stopped and thought about it.

 This fireman, a man I consider a mentor, quietly tells me that maybe, not just me, but the fire service and departments nationwide have lost track of what we are here for. I have to admit I started to pay a little closer attention to what he was saying. He goes on..

This job is not about proving something. It should not take a family's worst nightmare to motivate us. Motivation comes from within ourselves. We ARE TESTED every single day. From someone forgetting chow to who is up next to be moved out, these are the daily tests that sometimes distract us from why we are truly here.

As I continue to listen, I begin to actually understand.....

 I understand that when I chose this profession I swore and acknowledged that this call (pictured above) could be my next call. Now just think about that for a few seconds, now take a look at that picture again for a few seconds. OUR NEXT CALL, MY NEXT CALL, YOUR NEXT CALL COULD BE THAT CALL.....

As I think about that, I realize that we must do everything in our power to make sure we are prepared, both physically and mentally, for that call. How would you really feel if that was you carrying out that lifeless little girl, in front of the media, her parents, and other crew members, knowing you were not her best chance for survival because you were not mentally and physically ready for the call. 

I am a professional, committed to this fire service. Committed to being prepared with the knowledge and skills to handle whatever may come with the next tone out. 

But with one simple conversation, I was easily reminded that I had slightly forgotten as to why I was truly there. And why I truly need to be prepared...

FOR THEIR SURVIVAL...

I am reminded by my friend, my mentor, and my fellow fireman that a commitment to this profession is where it all starts. A firefighter is not measured by the amount of time he/she spends in the fire, but how he/she handle themselves prior to getting there. Think about that for a while and let that sink in. It isn't about being in or at the "BIG ONE" or the "GOOD BURNER", but how we handle ourselves prior to getting there.

The best firemen out there are full of pride and dedication, regardless of station assignment or call volume. These are the men and women that push themselves in the gym, or on the drill field, or in the classroom. Why? Because they will be prepared for that call and be their best chance of survival...

My conversation with this fireman was coming to an end, but before it did he left me thinking about a few things. To be the best firefighter we can be we must embrace this profession as a state of readiness. We must always remember that we will battle complacency more often then we actually fight fire. SO BE PREPARED...

As I sat alone after our conversation, I realized that I have a lot of work to become the best firefighter I can be. But that is what this is all about, to keep striving for that perfection and to be ready when it is our turn to make that call.....

To my mentor and friend thank you for reminding why we do what we do. That it is the "practice reps" that really count and the being in a state of readiness will be our citizens best chance for survival.