At FDIC, Ricci evokes Brennan, urges “political courage”

In a forceful address that touched on topics as diverse as fire service culture, the need for stronger leadership, equal opportunity, merit and the debate over education vs. experience, Frank Ricci urged FDIC attendees to have “political courage” in his keynote address at today’s General Session.

Ricci, a lieutenant with the New Haven (Conn.) Fire Department who became a fire service household name when he led a successful lawsuit alleging that New Haven discriminated against firefighters with regard to promotion, quoted fire service legend Tom Brennan, who once stated that firefighters were “losing the fire service to the politicians.” Ricci argued that the same thing is happening now. “Tom knew that safety goes well beyond strategy and tactics,” he said. “Critical elements of our survival are dictated by politics.”

Arguing that politicians “view us as sheep, content to be slaughtered” and “shake our hands while they slash our budgets,” Ricci implored firefighters to get involved in politics, to take a stand: “How many of you are willing to go shoulder to shoulder against city hall? We must all get involved.”

If the fire service is going to successfully fight that battle, however, Ricci said that it first must get its “own house in order” and take personal responsibility for safety. That involves eliminating what Ricci identifies as they “four horsemen of the fire service”—lack of accountability, loss of faith, indifference and politics over merit.

Lack of accountability
Ricci believes that culture is being blamed for things such as firefighters not wearing seatbelts or not staying in shape. “The culture myth is a crutch,” he argued, saying that in fact, fire service culture represents everything good about the fire service and that the problem lies in leadership. “Too many chiefs are so focused on keeping their jobs that they forget to do them,” Ricci said, arguing that although chiefs must understand politics, they are at heart advocates for their firefighters—not politicians.

Loss of faith and indifference
Ricci says the “second and third horsemen always ride together and they strike at the very heart of who we are.” When members get bitter or burn out, they lose their sense of duty and passion. But Ricci cautioned that although loss of faith is often a reaction to unfair actions of politicians, the results don’t hurt politicians, only fellow firefighters. “Politicians don’t care if your will or spirit has been broken,” he said. “The only guy that’s hurt is the guy crawling down that hot hall next to you.”

Ricci also advocated individual leadership and the willingness to stand strong despite the fact that it’s lonely sometimes. He explained that national leadership organizations such as the IAFF or the IAFC can’t always take a stand on the big issues, that it takes individuals to push the fire service in a particular direction. “The answer is not to walk away, it’s to participate in the debate and move the process forward,” Ricci said. “Leaders won’t always be able to stand with you, but this isn’t an excuse to give up the fight. We must be careful never to demonize those who disagree with us.”

As an example, Ricci took a moment to recognize four individuals who he felt defended him during the smear campaign that he endured during his lawsuit. He presented each of the individuals with a flag that had flown over the U.S. Supreme Court during the arguments in his suit.

Politics over merit
Issues of merit and equal opportunity were at the heart of Ricci’s lawsuit, and he shared some of his beliefs today about how the fire service suffers when merit is disregarded in hiring and promotional decisions. “We must ensure that no one’s hands are on the scale,” he said. “Equal opportunity does not mean equal outcome. Merit matters.” Arguing that some firefighters feel they’re entitled to a free ride, Ricci insisted, “Dumbing down [promotional] exams is a form of bigotry.”

Merit, Ricci argued, is not simply a matter of years of service, but also involves continuing education and training—much like the classes offered at FDIC. “Experience is the best teacher, but only a fool learns in that school alone,” he warned.

Ricci left the audience with an impassioned appeal to take back the fire service. Quoting Edward R. Murrow, who once said “A nation of sheep will begat a government of wolves,” Ricci challenged all firefighters: “It’s your choice—to be predator or prey.”

Shannon Pieper is deputy editor for FireRescue magazine.