I was talking to some old friends that I had
worked with when I had originally got hired as a
career firefighter. We were discussing the “good
old days” and having a good laugh. We all have
moved on to different departments and districts
since then, but we all agreed that those were
some the best times of our careers. The pay and
benefits weren’t great, we had our share of issues
with the city, but we were a tight group and we
had a blast on duty.
Most of us have moved on to bigger
jurisdictions with great pay and benefits with
more resources. But, we all agree, that although
we don’t have any regrets, it just isn’t the same as
it was back then. It’s easy to know why this is the
case, we all came up with the same conclusion; we
genuinely cared about each other and we loved the
job, no matter what.
As we rehashed past events and stories, we all
came to the same conclusion, it was a real family
atmosphere and the group had two common goals
while at work; learn as much about the fire
service as we could and have a great time while we
were doing it. It was a group of guys with likeminded
ideas and beliefs.
Testing hydrants every summer was not high
on our priority list and we did not look forward to
doing it every year. But, as we learned, we could
always manage to make it fun. Typically we would
bet on which truck that day would be first to bust
a main and shut down the whole operation. The
water department didn’t like it, but it made things
interesting. (We didn’t bust ‘em on purpose!)
We knew that we were all in this place
together, with the bad, the good and the insane
things that came along with that particular
organization. We have all agreed that since
moving on, although we have the same motivations
and intentions and desires, that same culture did
not follow us to our new jobs. It made me stop
and wonder why that was the case. I thought
long and hard and came up with some possible
reasons.
It is possible that our own possible passion has
slipped. And, in some cases, it may have been
dashed by outside influences, but only we can
control what we are passionate about and
shouldn’t let outside forces change that. Don’t
stop loving the job. If your organization doesn’t
have the same professional goals as you, keep
plugging away and you will be a much happier
person.
It is also possible that the organizations that
we went to, for whatever reason, just have and
have had a different culture from the beginning
and don’t know how to handle someone who is
different. This is where you need to rub off on
others. Take time to be enthusiastic and excited
about the job and pass it on the those below and
above you. Be persistent but not pushy and things
will slowly change. You will be joined by those likeminded
people in your organization.
The bottom line is this, don’t change just
because the new organization your in hasn’t caught
up with you yet. Be the guy who helps to initiate
that change and molds a new culture in your
department. It wont be easy, but you will be
better professionally and personally for it in the
end. You will also likely create new family-like
friendships that endure anything and that you will
be able to cherish now and in later years.
We all have that spark in us, it just needs
some prodding sometimes. Some people need the
sparks of others to light their own. When a group
of those sparks gets together and is driven by a
common purpose, look out, they are powerful and
good times will be had by all. That kind of positive
attitude and gumption is contagious, pass it on.