I am fortunate enough to have been enjoying a week at the
beach. The weather has been great and the fishing has been wonderful. It has
been a needed time to recharge the system. I even had my best friend say she
would marry me on this trip. It has been a great week. It is always at the time
you least expect it that an event will occur, creating an inspiration for a new
post.
Today, I was relaxing in the beach house when my fiancé
called to say that something was on fire a street over from our house. Naturally,
I went to investigate. I found commercial dumpster against a home under
construction with structural building materials burning within. Luckily, the
beach winds were headed away from the home, or there would have likely been an
exposure issue. The local fire department arrived and pulled a 1.5” trash line.
Line deployment went well. A volunteer arrived and fought the fire in boat
shoes, shorts, and a tee shirt. That’s when the writing bug bit me. With all
off the cancer causing chemicals such as hydrogen cyanide in today’s building
materials, glues, and by-products, why do we continue to expose ourselves
unnecessarily to these health dangers?
There is a simple solution.
TURNOUTS ARE FOR EVERYONE. Wear your turnouts. Wear your air pack. We are firefighters. Firefighters wear their gear.
Firefighters are smart people. Use the tools available to
protect yourselves. If you are pumping the truck, at least put your pants and
coat on and be ready to assist if needed if you don’t have the manpower to
support the mission. Chief Officers arriving on the car; you expect your guys
to wear their gear, where is yours? Lead by example. Even though you are a
Chief, you are STILL a firefighter first and foremost.
In a world of social media, camera phones, and the rapid
transfer and receipt of information, public perception in the fire service is
paramount. It affects the ability to obtain funding, the ability to secure
public confidence and the building of community support. What is the perception
you present to the community when you don’t don your gear to fight a fire? Joe
citizen may even ask, “why do we even use tax dollars to pay for that gear if
they don’t even use it.” Remember public perception in everything you do as an
organization. Are you giving the community the performance that you want them
to remember or it is the dress rehearsal that wasn’t supposed to be released
yet?
Am I guilty of lacking the turnouts department? Yes. When I came up in the fire service less
gear was better. I heard the phrase “man up” from time to time. With the
changing fire service, organizations I belong to created a culture that took
pride in wearing our gear. One may even say that we “over” wear our gear. I
just love to wear my gear.
In closing, be smart with your choice of PPE. Your health
depends on it. Don’t take unnecessary risks. We have the tools to deal with it.
Use them wisely. We all want to go home to our families. Represent your
organization by projecting an image of professionalism.
Be safe, smart, and treat every day as game day.
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