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Enthusiasm at Drill/in General
Last night we got a chance to work on a large industrial/office building that offers loads and loads of various training options. We are allowed to do anything we want in the place. Rarely do we get the opportunity to play with such freedom in such an environment.
Sounds like a great time right? It sounds like something people would be excited to go to and play. You'd be wrong.
We barely got anyone to show up at the start of drill, our drills start at 7, people trickle in any time after that. No one enforces the time, which is our first problem. I had a friend with another department who went out of his way to help me out and open the structure and be the liaison between the two companies and no one shows up on time. I finally got enough for an engine company and when I tried to leave I was asked what was the hurry. Boggles my mind. I can't even wrap my head around it.
I took my engine and left. People showed up within an additional 1/2 hour and then 45 minutes.
There was a plan for drill... but when I wanted to get started I was told to be calm and we'll get started.
Then the plan changed for some reason and threw off the whole thing. We eventually got on some track and got something accomplished.
My buddy from the other department, who we mutual aid with, commented, "isn't anyone enthusiastic here?"
I told him no and I don't know why.
The good news out of the story is we got some training done, not the way I'd really like to see it get done but it got done. Some new people learned more than they expected. That's a huge plus. They're ready for more training. Can't beat that. I just got to figure out how to fire up the rest of the crew. Am I the only one in this boat? What are your methods for getting the fire started under people?
Sounds like a great time right? It sounds like something people would be excited to go to and play. You'd be wrong.
We barely got anyone to show up at the start of drill, our drills start at 7, people trickle in any time after that. No one enforces the time, which is our first problem. I had a friend with another department who went out of his way to help me out and open the structure and be the liaison between the two companies and no one shows up on time. I finally got enough for an engine company and when I tried to leave I was asked what was the hurry. Boggles my mind. I can't even wrap my head around it.
I took my engine and left. People showed up within an additional 1/2 hour and then 45 minutes.
There was a plan for drill... but when I wanted to get started I was told to be calm and we'll get started.
Then the plan changed for some reason and threw off the whole thing. We eventually got on some track and got something accomplished.
My buddy from the other department, who we mutual aid with, commented, "isn't anyone enthusiastic here?"
I told him no and I don't know why.
The good news out of the story is we got some training done, not the way I'd really like to see it get done but it got done. Some new people learned more than they expected. That's a huge plus. They're ready for more training. Can't beat that. I just got to figure out how to fire up the rest of the crew. Am I the only one in this boat? What are your methods for getting the fire started under people?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ryan James Johnsrud on
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Also, sometimes complacency is a confidence issue. A health/excercise program such as discounts at the local gym or putting a workout facility in your fire hall (Yeah right!) might help with some of that. Basically, finding fun, non-threatening ways to get guys putting on the gear so they can remember what it is to be a firefighter and that OH Yeah They CAN DO THIS! can be very important. Even the guy throwing out the most bravado, and not showing up for training because it is supposedly below his skill level may not be showing up because of a confidence issue (doesn't want to challenge his image). This is especially true where call volume is low, and trainings are poorly attended.
This topic came up one night when a fellow volunteer firefighter from another county broke the ice on the subject. It's hard to admit some of that stuff sometimes... like to hear others thought on the subject...
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Permalink Reply by Roy Walker on
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Scary Jack for once we agree! What happened did the moon turn blue or something?
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Permalink Reply by brian white on
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wow Brian this comment sounds like i could have written it! I am newly appointed T.O. and this is exactly what im doing. Im hoping that my and the few others enthusiasm is contagious.
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Permalink Reply by Mongo on
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There is nothing better than asking someone who boasts about how much they know, how they sit there and don't need training, etc. How they "know" everything, that attitude kills me. But there's not many sweeter than asking them to either get something off the rig or do an exercise and they have no clue... Ridiculous.
As for the exercise thing, we have equipment in both of our stations, which some people think is stupid, and we have a free membership to the local gym. Only three people ever go to the gym.
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