Our Changing Role
We’re much more than “first responders,” so we must build skills to communicate that  
By Denise Pouget

Fire officers coming up through the ranks today face myriad challenges. Right now, most of us are focused on confronting harsh economic realities within our departments, but we should not overlook some broader, more long-term changes occurring as well. Our roles as firefighters and EMTs/paramedics are changing in ways that I see as permanent.  

Broaden Your Focus
Many firefighters view their jobs from a simple and single-sided point of view: They see themselves as first responders. Certainly, emergency response is crucial. However, our occupation is much more than that. We are guardians of the public’s welfare and safety, and our daily activities should reflect that. Example: In my department, we participate in “Spring for Alexandria Day,” in which firefighters conduct home inspections and blood pressure checks, as well as assist in park clean-up and cemetery revitalization. We are also working to notify social services when we encounter elderly and disabled citizens who could benefit from assistance.

Directly related to what we do for our customers is how we communicate with them. Our firefighters and paramedics on the front lines need to be aware that every interaction they have with the public leaves a lasting impression. This impression can affect their department’s image and credibility and therefore their ability to successfully carry out its mission. In my department, we provide educational opportunities and operational supervisor training that stresses the importance of firefighters’ roles as community advocates.

The bottom line: Whether we are in the middle of an emergency or not, our citizens are our customers.  

Speak Truth to Power
Another way our roles are changing is that each of us is now expected to cultivate the ability to justify department and crew needs, and communicate those needs to the public, as well as local, state and national leaders. In short, we must speak truth to power.

The average person—and the average politician—doesn’t look to see how many people show up riding on the engine or the truck. They simply know that when they call 9-1-1, someone comes to their aid.
 
Our ability to function efficiently and effectively depends on our success at convincing the public and the politicians of what resources we need to protect them. If we are silent, people will assume everything is OK. Fire service leaders must develop the skills to communicate effectively and develop nurturing relationships with the community. Some ways to prepare your leaders for this task: Hold open house and community improvement days. If the training budget is tight, consider providing leadership courses within the department.

Just as company officers and chief officers are encouraged to engage with the IAFC, firefighters should also consider getting more involved with their labor organizations, which serve as strong allies when competing for benefits, facilities, firefighter safety and health issues and salaries. I’m not just talking about IAFC and IAFF leaders testifying on Capitol Hill; every fire officer needs to build the financial and communication skills necessary to break down the numbers and effectively communicate our needs.

Lean Forward
Leaders coming up in the fire service today should consider what the role of a firefighter/paramedic will look like in 10, 15 or 20 years. We must remember that the population we serve financially supports our service through their tax dollars, and we must work to educate ourselves—and every firefighter—on the importance of our roles as public safety advocates.

Tradition is wonderful and honorable, but improving and building upon what we already know is crucial to the future of this occupation. We must lean forward! Rethinking how we do business will preserve and protect the fire and EMS service. Let’s embrace our tradition, but not be held back by it.

Denise Pouget is assistant chief with the Alexandria (Va.) Fire Department; prior to this position, she served for 27 years at Montgomery County Fire Rescue. Pouget was the Work Group Chair for the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health Task Force assigned to address the protection of workers involved in the Gulf oil spill recovery, and served as a field instructor at the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute. She is a member of the IAFC and was awarded the 2007 IAFC Safety Officer of the Year award. Pouget has a bachelor’s degree in fire science management from American Public University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in emergency disaster management.