I love the sound of fire tones when I am bouncing off the walls of my monster-in-laws stick built joint. It’s like the lunch bell ringing or a get out of jail free card that doesn’t come often enough. For the record, I love my family, but until my in-laws house is on fire I get a little extra pep in my step towards the front door when those tones drop.

In volunteer or combination fire departments, it is critically important for officers and firefighters to show up for calls, trainings, and community events. The opportunity to; 1) help your community, 2) be part of one of the most powerful forces for public welfare, and 3) teach or learn will enhance your career and worth to your organization.

Show up to calls!
When I first started in the fire service one of the more seasoned Captains nearing retirement said he has been on call for twenty-five years. A bit perplexed, I asked, why is that? He continued to tell me that he is on shift 1/3 of the time and the other 2/3’s he is normally around town. Living in the village, town, or city were you serve as a firefighter comes with enormous responsibility, pride, and ownership. Our volunteer and combination departments rely heavily on firefighters responding from home. Whether it is the middle of the night for an EMS call or in the middle of a holiday dinner, showing up at the firehouse is important.

Show up to trainings!
Complacency, “old school”, and laziness are periods we all go through. Longer for some then others, but attending trainings hosted at your department will help reenergized your mind and skill performance. At these trainings, firefighters will learn your ideas, styles, and expectations. Working together in realistic training evolutions is the best way to prepare for emergency operations. If you are not there, no one including yourself will know what to expect in the heat of the battle.

Show up to community events!
Take advantage of the opportunities to make a good impression in the minds of the people you serve. Fundraisers, parades, fire safety activities are ways to educate our communities about not only who we are, but what we do and why it is important. Besides the people that meet us when our lights and sirens are activated, most don’t realize what their fire department actually does. As an officer or veteran firefighter you should be at these events, ensuring your organization is represented well by all ranks.

In this business we rely on each other, it’s a brotherhood of great proportions. To earn the respect of your peers and community you must show up, perform, and make sound decisions. Seize every opportunity to succeed in the capacity that you were assigned. Show up, it’s what we do! Be safe!

Lieutenant Paul Hasenmeier, a firefighter since 2000 for the City of Huron (OH) Fire Division. He is a paramedic, fire inspector, SCUBA diver, and an instructor. He has an associate’s degree in fire science, has gained knowledge in numerous technical rescue disciplines, and is a member of Ohio’s Region 1 USAR team. He is a contributing author to “Fire Engineering”, “Fire Rescue”, “The Canadian Fire Chief”, and “School Bus Fleet” magazines. Hasenmeier has presented at FDIC, the NY Fire Chiefs Conference, the Ohio Fire Chiefs Conference, the Ohio Association for Pupil Transportation Conference, the Ohio State Firefighters Association Conference, Fire Rescue Canada, the Fire Department Safety Officers Conference and other regional & national training events. He can be reached at phas@bex.net or www.criticalrescuetraining.com .