After reading a great blog post by Dennis about the lowering of standards at FDNY in order to help more people pass the tests and responses and comments by my friend FireSiren, I have been thinking (instead of going to the pool for a hard swim).

The lowering of standards is just one of the issues that has plagued the Fire Service lately. I am happy to hear people coming forward and voicing their opinions on such issues, especially when they may be hit with some backlash or ill will from management or HR.

I read posts about loving the job, running in when others are running out, feeling a part of a special brotherhood and I wonder do these people really love this job, or love the feeling and look of the bunker gear. There are so many issues that need to be addressed and so many firefighters who are hired and simply glide through this career. Is it not our duty to stand up and fight for each other as well as the public we protect. Can we truly do an effective job if we are not willing to look for ways to make things better, get better equipment, protect ourselves and be sure the public is safe by following the HTA as it accords to us? I don't understand the Cowboy mentality, speeding through reds, not wearing belts, complaining that the Safety Nazis are out to get them (I have read comments on other pages), worrying about music en route, iPods in fires, colours of rigs, etc, etc. What are we in this career for, us or them?

I can tell you I am in it for them. I am in it to protect those who pay the taxes and expect us to arrive safely and alive so we can attend to their problems. I am in it for the people who can't help themselves, those who cry because they are ashamed to have called 911, and those who can't make the call themselves. I am not in it because "running in" is cool. I am in it so I can be the last line of defense, so I can be the person who holds the hand of another mother's child while he/she is scared or puts a hand on the shoulder of another mother's child while she/he is being pronounced.

Did I need lower standards to be able to do this job? No. Should I be held to higher standards to do this job? Absolutely. I would want to know the best person possible would be responding if my mother, father, daughter, etc needed it, and I don't care if it's a good cross section of the community. I know the testing for the city I applied to has gotten easier. The last year I wrote I was disappointed to see very little math, since this had become my strong suit. The majority of the people who fail, fail the OSFF portion, Occupation Situational Firefighter. They fail because they answer yes to "I would risk my life to save another." They answer yes to "I am a risk taker." thinking this is what will do it for them. Yes, risking your life is an inherent part of the job, but putting your crew at risk unnecessarily is not and being a hot shot or cowboy certainly isn't either. Following orders, respecting rank, being accountable and knowing your training will kick in and auto pilot will allow you to do the job you know you need to.

All of this being said, is there not an issue within your department more important to you than the colour of the rig you're riding in? Do you need better benefits, better wages, better communications with management and your city? What are we part of this great family for if we are not willing to stand up and be a real part of it. Are you the type who was hired and is now going to coast through your career or are you the type who is going to make this job even better for those hired after you? The choice is yours, make a mark, or leave at the end of your career wishing you had.