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New Years Resolution
Fix it. Now. A New Years Resolution
Tiger Schmittendorf
Call it a mantra, a call-to-action or simply a New Years Resolution.
I penned the following document for my own fire company several years ago but I thought it might be appropriate to share it with you as we look forward to what the next year has in store for us.
Every New Year brings new opportunities for all of us in the emergency services community. Along with that comes a whole new set of challenges. It’s a time to reflect and look inside our selves. Do we have it in us to go on? Are we up to the challenges that lay ahead?
Bravery isn’t displayed just on the fire scene. Some of the biggest obstacles you’ll ever face will be back at the firehouse, and you’ll need the nerve to overcome them.
Lyrics to the Mighty, Mighty Bosstones’ tune says, “I'm not a coward, I've just never been tested. I'd like to think that if I was, I would pass.”
Are you brave enough to make a difference? Do you have the courage to Fix It?
Read on and search inside yourself.
Fix it. Now.
To Whom It May Concern:
Ø Now and always, we are either on the verge of greatness – or complete failure.
Ø You will determine the outcome. The success of this fire department falls in your hands. But, this is not a burden – it’s an opportunity.
Ø It is easier to give blame than it is to take responsibility. Therefore, before we can have good leaders, we must each learn to be good followers.
Ø If ethics are violated and you don’t say anything, it’s your fault. If there’s stuff that’s broken and it doesn’t get fixed, it’s your fault. And this is not limited to physical items. Fix it – or alert someone who can.
Ø Fortunately, each of us doesn’t have to do everything. Each of us only has to do something.
Ø You as an individual, and all of us together as a team – have control of what goes on. We alone have the power to change the ways things are. No one is going to do it for us.
Ø Don’t ever let anything, or anyone – prevent you from being the firefighter you want or need to be.
Be honest. Be proud. Be relentless.
Show respect. Show integrity. Show enthusiasm.
Smile. Have fun. Motivate yourself.
Take responsibility. Take ownership. Take control.
It starts now.
–Tiger Schmittendorf
November 22, 2002
Tiger Schmittendorf serves the County of Erie Department of Emergency Services. as Deputy Fire Coordinator, managing three training facilities, 50 fire instructors and the training of 97 fire departments and 5,000+ firefighters. He is a Nationally Certified Fire Instructor and a firefighter with the Evans Center Volunteer Fire Company in the Town of Evans NY since 1980, currently serving as Chief of Training, Webmaster and Public Information Officer (PIO).
Schmittendorf brings 15 years of experience in engineering, sales and marketing management to marketing the product he loves: the fire service. He specializes in recruitment and retention, marketing, training and management consulting for counties and fire departments around the country.
He suffers from an extremely dry sense of humor and routinely makes an ass of himself, often in public.
ORIGINAL POST: 1/1/09
Add a Comment
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Comment by Mary Ellen Shea on January 2, 2009 at 9:20am
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Art and Tiger,
How quickly a year can fly by.
I've said it one millllllliiiiiiooooonnnnnn times before, so why not....I'll say it again. It all starts with the leadership within the department. Ineffective or apathetic line officers create a top-down malaise. New recruits, like myself a year ago, join for a variety of reasons, but what makes us want to stay is the experience we have after the swearing-in.
My chief is former Army, so perhaps I just got lucky, but he runs our department as the paramilitary organization that it is. What that means is that he keeps an eye on the newbies to make sure that we're up to speed on policies, procedures, training and involvement. He also stays on top of the required paperwork, maintenance, safety and cleanliness of the apparatus, gear, and firehouse, and is constantly seeking new and unique training opportunities.
Disrespect, directed at the officers or fellow members, is never tolerated. ALL of our line officers actively and consistently work to ensure that we're working as a team. The "dead weight" , and yes, we have ours, same as any department, are dealt with as issues arise, and in a few positive instances, have been led into a turnaround of attitude or involvement.
Looking forward to another year in what I sincerely hope is a lifelong effort.
Mel
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Comment by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on January 2, 2009 at 9:02am
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With New Year's resolutions, you want to forget the past year, set your goals and activate your plans for the new year.
Unfortunately for us in the fire service, we cannot just "forget" the past, because our mode button is stuck on "repeat".
Like wanting to shed 10 pounds, fire departments may want to shed their dead weight as well. Departments have just been through another year of whining, another year of many members only partially engaged dragging down and demoralizing the rest of the department and a new year with a new attitude is just on the horizon.
The problems have taken years to develop, but if you don't start NOW, the cancer will spred, your department will gain more dead weight and all of your energy will be spent dealing with negative attitudes and issues, instead of the important work of improving skills and service.
Is 2009 going to be the year that the wheels fall off or is it the year that will start your department in the right direction?
TCSS.
Art
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Comment by Brad Carlson on December 3, 2007 at 11:32pm
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Very well put tige.IN my many years as a fire fighter I have seen many thing's go on inside the firehouse.One against another,alot of finger pointing.I've also noticed it has alway's been the same people showing up on call's then bam when it's a full blown structure fire they all come out of the wood work.maybe when people read this it will open up their eye's and realize it has to change.Keep up the good work.Stay safe out there.
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Comment by LadyChaplain on November 30, 2007 at 2:14pm
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That's going on the bulletin board @ the firehall for sure.
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Comment by Peter Lupkowski on November 25, 2007 at 7:55pm
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Thanks for the insights. I stumbed on your ruminations after reading Art Goodrich. Again I don't always comment on the blogs but will endeavor to leave a calling card so the writers know someone was there. Stay safe.
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Tiger:
Very timely and articulate.
In talking with other departments, the over-riding theme is that; more and more is falling on the shoulders of the few. That is: how do we get our members to show up for training and calls?
Not long ago, I was at the station and our department got toned out for an MVA. I watched in horror as only FOUR people responded. Now; it was on a Sunday evening, so I KNOW from experience that there should have been plenty of coverage.
At our last meeting, before any discussion could take place, I asked the members "how many of you were home last Sunday nite?" Several hands shot up into the air. Then I asked "then why didn't you respond to the MVA?"
Man; you could have heard a pin drop. Then, I turned it over to the chief, who proceeded to give them a tune up.
I guess my point is that you have many excellent motivators for someone who still has it in them to make a difference.
But what about the ones who can basically ignore/pick/choose the calls they go on? When is it time for these people to cut their losses and turn their stuff in?
At what point does their attitude become a detriment to the department?
And last, how in God's name, can ANYONE sit there, hear their pager go off and NOT GO?
Art
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