HELP US HELP YOU...

Not you, not him, not her. If not us then who? Who is going to step up and get this started?

Are you willing to step up?

From the other side, you say you are getting the ball moving forward. Well, go ahead and start now. We are willing and ready to follow you. Let's do this, we are with you..

We have been with you. From the moment you got here we have been with you. We have been here quietly and  patiently waiting to follow. We have been silent to this point because we have felt that trying to explain ourselves to is usually met with a deaf ear. It seems like there is no room for compromise, your way or the highway. So ok, now it's your turn to make the wheels move forward...

Please lead us, we are asking you to. You can do this. How come we haven't moved forward yet? Why does it seem like you keep passing the axe and halligan back to us. Knock down that door. The time to move forward is right now. As a matter of fact there is no better time to move forward then right now. Why the hesitation, what is the hold up? You must know we are on your side, we have been the entire time. Let us help you...

We understand that our realms are different. We understand that our uniforms may look different and the duties we perform on a daily basis are not the same. But rest assure we all have the same vision here. I am asked all the time why I write these things. The answer is that I truly care about all of my brothers and sisters, from bottom to top. My satisfaction does not come the number of readers I have, hell I could write these until my fingers bleed. My true satisfaction is watching my brothers and sisters become great firefighters. This only happens with strong leadership...

If you will think of this service as a team sport it may help a bit. If you or anyone else is not willing to pick up the ball and run with it, then give the ball to someone who will. Look we are here to help you lead, teach, and coach. This is what we want to do. We are willing to do this. To reach our goal it will take humility, effort, and an open mind from both sides. Of course it won't be easy but nothing worth having ever is...

Let's both grab the tools. You with the axe, us with the halligan. Together we can open any and all doors. No more judgement by either side. No more factions...

We can no longer have the us versus them mentality. This leads us no where. Budgets are cut and turnover is happening at a very high rate. We have to share our knowledge and ideas at every opportunity  and in every way. That is how we get these wheels moving forward. Firefighters are happiest when we are allowed to be firefighters. We love to train, sweat, and push ourselves. The ultimate thing that every firefighter loves is a strong leader. Lead us, we are here for you...

Let's get back to that initial place again. We all know that knowledge is power, but did you know that we become even more powerful when we share our knowledge and ideas with each other. We all want to arrive at the same destination. A place where we can feel confident in our ability to do our jobs, to serve the public, and to protect one another. We don't want to be in a place of intimidation, where we are walking on egg shells, where we have no idea what is around the corner...

We need everyone and I mean everyone to rally around this idea..

LET'S SWING THOSE IRONS TOGETHER AND FORCE OPEN THOSE DOORS...TOGETHER!!!