The more I read, the more I write. The more I give, the more I get back. The further I go, the farther I see. The more I reach out, the more contact I make. The harder I push the greater my potential becomes.
I recently had someone tell me that I “demand to much of people”, that I have a “get on the be your best train or get out of the way attitude” and he told me I need to “strike more of a balance”.
I didn’t see the need to explain to someone who doesn’t care to understand so I went on with my day. Shortly after I began to realize that while he may see the need for me to “strike a balance”, I could see that at this time in my life my energies and interests are compounding not conflicting.
By moving out from under the rock that is concern for acceptance among my peers and contributing to Fire Service Warrior and Fire Engineering I have opened doors of opportunity and made connections and contacts that would never, ever, have come my way by laying in wait. For years I have been fighting waves of frustration, the ebb and flow directly linked to my ability, or those who I respect, to effect change. Since I started working for and contributing to the fire service I have found an outlet which has done wonders for my overall professional satisfaction. It may be a bizarre concept that it is easier to effect change outside of your department, but in my short span of experience it seems to be true. With some of the recent posts by other bloggers I think that more and more people are coming to find this to be true as well.
My department is facing budgetary restrictions which have eliminated conferences and travel for training completely for the 2012 budget. This normally would infuriate me and lead to a caffeine induced kitchen table rant resulting in no change because budgets are budgets and priorities cuts are cuts. No matter how much extra stuff I take on, or how manymangers I impress, I am not going to any classes or conferences on their dime or time. So where am I going with this? If I believe that conferences are important I got to use the energy to get there another way, and I have. Articles, videos, classes and contact with people in the fire service is getting me to these events. It helps to remind me that the guy at station X that is talking s*** right now about this post or my FSW video won’t be sitting next to me at the opening ceremonies next year at FDIC.
Just after midnight on Monday morning, the engine company from my station was dispatched to a residential fire alarm. 99.9% of the time a residential fire alarm dispatch at midnight is to replace batteries for a homeowner who is sick of hearing the chirp and ready to go to bed. As the engine turned on to the block the dispatcher upgraded the call to a full response for a confirmed structure fire and relayed that neighbors were reporting 2 victims in the front yard. After the fire talking with the engine crew they all admitted that the change in response threw them, but only mentally. They were all fully dressed and prepared when they left the station all they had to do was change gears in their minds for immediate action. Just under 2 minutes behind them I arrived on the truck to see the 3 person engine had triaged the patients, was operating a handline at the front door and in the process of securing a hydrant. I could not be more content to just fall into place on the scene and support the work that these guys had going. The repetition on alarms, demanding high standards in drills and pride in being our best showed with this incident. I know when our company returns to work on Friday with this incident fresh in their minds we will all approach the day with a keener attention to our duties because the importance of preparation was reinforced. James Carville recently joked about a political campaign which is doomed to fail because they only have two speeds “complacency and panic”. I can say proudly our company is either ready or working.
I recall the first time I contacted Dave Le Blanc and he told me that not in a million years did he ever think that people would want to hear what he had to say let alone be looking to him for advice on writing. I felt the same way when Rhett Fleitz wrote a post about me and asked me to do a Firefighter Netcast show. I read a post recently on Jason Jefferies blog “Working the Job” that described how thankful he was for all that he has found just by starting a blog, resources, support and a network that seems to grow daily. Just this week here at FSW Chris, who has been in the blog game for a few years and writing for decades found inspiration from Taj Meyers at the Queen City Burns blog. There is a good chance that this group and about a dozen others that I could mention are just reading each other and thoughts of our “audience” is grander than the actual numbers but who cares. What is important is that we are educating, entertaining and elevating each other through our shared interest in our profession. Every time I take something from a great post or article it reinforces the efforts I put forth to give back to this group and share with others.
Last week I told myself I was going to take a break from the “me” posts and get back to content on training and tactics but things just lined up and the momentum among our group is building. Some may see this post as arrogant, maybe it is, I see it as advice and proof. If you want something go get it. If you set high standards you will get high performers. If you enjoy something, share it with those that have common interests don’t waste the time, energy and emotion attempting to force it upon those who will not appreciate it.
Seek to strike a balance when you feel that parts of your life are in conflict. Seek to capitalize on the momentum that comes when your interests are compounded. The more I give to the fire service the fewer frustrations I have with an organization and its managers. The fewer frustrations I have with an organization and its mangers the better company officer I am and the better the fire department our firefighters become. The happier I am at work the more energy I have for study and training and the more I give to the fire service (repeat).
If you have been debating a move or you have been sitting on the sidelines of the conversation for awhile my advice to you is Jump In! The “capital” that is your experience, ideas, opinions and beliefs will only grow by what you are stashing under that heavy mattress of department culture and fear of rejection. Try making a small investment in yourself with the free market that is the American Fire Service (NYSE) and the Social/Blog network (NASDAQ) and I believe you will find a huge payoff through compounding interest. The return I have seen in support, resources, friendships and opportunity is beyond what I ever imagined would have been my potential.I am better for taking risk, I am getting better because of the risks of others.
“…it is easier to effect change outside of your department…”
That is something that I’m beginning to realize. I’ve received compliments from other bloggers, some with far more knowledge and experience than I have. I’ve gotten comments from firefighters on the other side of the country. The guys in my own department, though…the one’s who caused me to start writing…hardly say a word. I know they read the posts. I know some of them agree with me, but they never comment. They never act on my statements. Maybe it’s because they realize that some of my rants are directed at our department members. Maybe they just don’t have what it takes to stir things up, even if they know it needs to be done. Whatever the case, I seem to have a far greater effect on the outside world, than on my own department. Of course, my readership probably isn’t as extensive as I would like to think.
Anyway, sorry for the selfish comment about me. Your posts are always an inspiration. Keep it up. If nothing else, you’ll be motivating ME to do better.
Thanks for the note and for passing it around. Your Brotherhood post was a great start to a busy week for all of us.
Brian
Brian-
I couldn’t agree more with the “captial” that is aviable to us, i find myself reading and being inspired by all of you. Keep it coming!!
Chuck-
You are doing some solid stuff too. Just checked out your blog and I got my work cut out for me. Take care Bro
For every person who puts them selves out there like you or Chris or Taj, you start a small following that slowly builds. I really feel like I found my calling a few years ago and just had a want/need to seek out as much knowledge as my mind could absorb, in doing so I found a patch work of blogs and articles each pushing for personal improvement, but all the information felt disjointed.
It seem like that is changing and there is an organized surge not just for personal improvement, but sweeping reform through out the fire service. I find myself inspired by it all and it strengthens my personal resolve to put myself out there in my own ways, pushing for group work outs, pushing for constant and relevant training, pushing to be the best.
Thank you to everybody who is not afraid to ask for more of themselves and of others.
Keep up the great work Leo and thanks for the support Bro-
Brian,
I would never consider any of these articles a ” ME ” post. I have learned and enjoyed reading everyones ideas. We can’t change the people who just don’t care anymore, but we can learn and bounce ideas off eachother. I think it just starts with us first and others will join in. Like you said, look how many other people you have met because of this movement. Thanks agian for the continues motivation. Be safe Brothers.
Brett,
Thanks for the note Bro, I hope all is well. It has been awhile so it is good to see you are still checking in on us.
Brian
Brian,
excellent post as always! and I agree with Brett i didn’t think it was a ME post and actually even if it was Who Cares I like your take on a lot of things so keep writting for me if no one else. I also agree and will add my 2 cents about making the jump. If someone is on the side and thinking that no one will read my stuff or I am not on a big enough department then you need to over come those fears and just do it! I was that way for many years and actually had the idea of writing about green buldings for 5 or 6 years now and honestly was just to scared to put myself out there! Although my blog is just in the baby stages and it not like FSW it still has opened so many doors for me just since April! I will forever be greatful to those that gave me a chance and like you said the more i write the happier it get!
Keep it up John your stuff is great and I appreciate you dropping me that line the other day.
Brian
Brian-
Many of us have arrived at the same conclusion as you. We often arrive there with our foreheads bloodied from repeatedly beating our heads against the wall placed in our path. The outlet I have found through writing- like you- has allowed me to keep quieter at work. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s safer that way. I, like you,Chris, and all the other contributors to the fire service everywhere may see what we preach come home just like that engine company from your department that was sent on a residential alarm that was upgraded to a working fire. That’s when we can sit back and smile and know that it’s worth all the angst and struggle. They were ready to go when they needed to be because someone reached them- they didn’t let complacency rule. Keep it going.
Mark-
Seeing it come together is absolutely the big pay off. From the photos I saw I believe we start calling you Capt..Look forward to seeing your next piece brother and congrats.
Brian
Brian, Creating and sustaining change in your own agency versus others can sometimes be misleading. I don’t know your situation completely but can speak to my own experience. You may have more followers (silent) at your agency than you know. You see your agency every shift (sometimes more because of your extra activities, visits etc.). You receive feedback and appreciation from outside persons (across the nation; in person and on the web). The people inside your agency who do appreciate what you are doing by example or motivation of others (sometimes pointing out what someone is not doing is still motivation) over time come to expect it. So when you are operating at this high level- it is the norm and often not mentioned. Some will give you great advice that you have to weigh in on.
I was at a conference earlier this year in your area. I was surprised at the number of students and instructors that mentioned your influence both at your agency and in the region. As always some will love you, some will hate you (because you are simply holding a mirror to show them their performance and/or capabilities) but a lot of people will listen. Over time you are demonstrating a consistent example of performance that is truly based and focused on the citizen. That makes you a man of HONOR.
Finally, remember you will never be a prophet in your hometown….
Thanks for what you are doing.
Scott,
Thank you for the comment it is eye opening and very humbling. The situation right now is an interesting one but not unique to guys like us. The main point I wanted to make was that without the network of the like minded and the motivation we gain from eachother these situations and individuals can nearly break you. You may not have the option to pick who you surround yourself with at work but you do get that chance in your personal life. Once again thank you, the note just serves as supporting evidence that we all can make a difference if we give it a try.
Brian
Brian,
As always good words to live by. As a new blogger, I have gained some of the same things that you have. I think it keeps me more on my game because I eagerly await some posts from everyone to get my motivation up. Also, it opens up many doors to information on our job that I never knew was out there. Look forward to meeting you at FDIC whenever you me and Jason get together. keep it up man, good work as always.