How often have we in the course of duty focused on something to the point that everything else around us blurred out? Well, I realised this at a Senior Management Worskhop that I attended over the last two days.

The theory of "Lock ON Lock OUT (Pacific Institute), exposes a fundamental flaw in our thinking(not just firefighters, but everyone!).
For example, as Fire Chief; when motivating to my Council for budget, I put in all my energy into what I believe the Department 'is entitled to' in the budget year. All needs of other Departments (Engineering, Water, Roads, etc) are secondary..in fact not as credible as the fact that "WE SAVE LIVES!"

Sub-consciously, I blocked out the other important needs of keeping a town live...perhaps these were viewed as 'threats' and at these Council sessions, the immediate reaction was 'man the battle stations' whenever some other department wanted the millions that Fire Dept needed so desperately.
Yes, we do need the money but at what cost?
Must the main water line not be upgraded just that we can get a new Fire Station with all the resources now? What happens in 5 years time when after the station is built and when we need the water the most...the main water line is no more?

After learning of the Lock On Lock Out (LOLO) theory, I now realise that perhaps I should instead CO-CREATE (support what others want to create) rather than resist...perhaps that way we (Fire Dept) would get where we are 'entitled' to be ...sooner!