ARE YOU CLUTCH??

As I continue to watch the NBA playoffs, I have come to the realization that these NBA teams a something in common with the Fire Service.

Each one of these teams in the playoffs has what I call "CLUTCH" players. The definition of a clutch player is being dependable in crucial situations. Now these clutch players were not born overnight. These players know exactly how much blood, sweat, and studying it takes to reach that elite performance level. A clutch player is one that wants the ball, wants the last shot, wants the outcome to be determined by his/her actions. A clutch player is relived to know that they have prepared for that moment. They invite challenges and are always preparing for the next challenge. It is the game inside the game that clutch players love to play.

The Fire Service has clutch players as well. They know that through studying and training they will reach that level of elite firefighting. These clutch firefighters want the nozzle in their hands, they want to get the intubation during a code. These clutch firefighters want the outcome to be determined by their actions. They are prepared for whatever challenge the next call may bring and are always ready to be challenged.

Do you know who your clutch players are in your dept.? How about in your Batt.? What about just in your own company?

Now don't be fooled their are a lot of firefighters and NBA players that think they are clutch. And these are the ones we need to keep a close eye on. These are the people that are big talkers but yet they fade into the background when the situation is in need of someone clutch.

Being clutch doesn't mean doing everything either. Actually a big part of being clutch is the ability to know when to step up and take the lead and when to pass that responsibility on to someone else. This prepares others to be clutch when their time comes. For most of the time clutch players are studying or training or are covered in sweat from exercise, their proof of being clutch is in their performance not their spoken words. But this can sometimes lead to our clutch players being overlooked and under appreciated.

Our clutch players know that there is nothing that can substitute for hard work and dedication. They understand that they can not just show up and hope they can pull hose correctly, hope they get the drugs right, hope they guess right on the street, and hope to be successful. These clutch players understand that laying a solid foundation first, through studying and training and exercise, is the only way success will be sustainable their entire career. These clutch players want the final shot when everything is on the line...

Now figuring out who your clutch players are is not always an easy task. Our performance at actual working situations is limited nowadays, so must evaluations will be done during training. One great way to help find your clutch players is to look for the person that elevates the performances of his/her co-workers. Raising the levels of others is a key character in a clutch player and only a few actually have this. This person will not only make sure that they are prepared to be clutch, but will also make sure that everyone else is ready to take their shot when they are called upon.

Clutch players are either born or made. Being born clutch is actually rare today. But know this whether you were born clutch or made clutch - you make that shot when it counts because you have missed it countless times when it doesn't...

FOR EVERY SUCCESS ON THE FIRE GROUND THERE ARE HOURS OF FAILURES ON THE TRAINING GROUND...

Let's find our clutch players and help them turn others clutch as well. Let's not overlook our clutch players, sometimes a pat on the back is all it takes to motivate someone to keep striving for excellence. Let's make sure we all are ready for that final shot with no time left on the clock....

ARE YOU CLUTCH???