The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
Bulletin Board or Discussion Website?
I am amazed at the sheer numbers of "new discussions" that are in fact, no more than a little personal sticky note.
"Drinking in the firehouse" can garner 124 replies while a very worthwhile discussion on "Have We Forgotten" can only salvage 14 replies. Why is that? Because one might cause you to have to think a little before you reply? Or perhaps, we are much better at dispensing advice on a personal level but balk at anything pertinent to firefighting?
There has been an effort by some to turn this website into nothing more than a "Dear Abby" offering. How many of you actually go to the news page and come back here to discuss it? And why is the color of a truck so important?
I like fun threads, too. Threads about whackers are always entertaining and I think it is important that, if you have a particularly bad one to come here and talk about it, BUT, if you are going to freak out EVERY time, then you have chosen the wrong field of endeavor. The stark reality of this business called fire/rescue is that there will always be a worse call. If you can't handle that thought, then maybe we should stop posting threads that are no more than trolling for partners and post information here that might actually help you to process the ugly event that you just suffered through.
Simply stated, I joined this website for firefighters and not lonely hearts.
And if that pisses some of you off, sorry. I have to be honest in everything I do and honestly, I think FirefighterNation is missing its targeted demographic. I don't mean to sound pompous, but damn; let's talk about some real friggin' firefighting stuff for once. If you don't like reading or suffer from short attention spans, then maybe we can put it into smaller bursts of info.
But for whatever reason, discussion ain't happening.
Let 'er rip. It won't bother me one bit, if it means getting some actual feedback.
Art
"Drinking in the firehouse" can garner 124 replies while a very worthwhile discussion on "Have We Forgotten" can only salvage 14 replies. Why is that? Because one might cause you to have to think a little before you reply? Or perhaps, we are much better at dispensing advice on a personal level but balk at anything pertinent to firefighting?
There has been an effort by some to turn this website into nothing more than a "Dear Abby" offering. How many of you actually go to the news page and come back here to discuss it? And why is the color of a truck so important?
I like fun threads, too. Threads about whackers are always entertaining and I think it is important that, if you have a particularly bad one to come here and talk about it, BUT, if you are going to freak out EVERY time, then you have chosen the wrong field of endeavor. The stark reality of this business called fire/rescue is that there will always be a worse call. If you can't handle that thought, then maybe we should stop posting threads that are no more than trolling for partners and post information here that might actually help you to process the ugly event that you just suffered through.
Simply stated, I joined this website for firefighters and not lonely hearts.
And if that pisses some of you off, sorry. I have to be honest in everything I do and honestly, I think FirefighterNation is missing its targeted demographic. I don't mean to sound pompous, but damn; let's talk about some real friggin' firefighting stuff for once. If you don't like reading or suffer from short attention spans, then maybe we can put it into smaller bursts of info.
But for whatever reason, discussion ain't happening.
Let 'er rip. It won't bother me one bit, if it means getting some actual feedback.
Art
Replies are closed for this discussion.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on
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I'm actually finding some very good stuff in the blogs.
Very thoughtful and well written.
Lots of "firefighters are heroes" and alot of what I would call self-promoting tidbits, though.
I'm a little uncomfortable about that.
I would rather that our adoring public heap the praise on us, instead of us doing it.
Humility doesn't hurt a thing.
And remember; if you haven't read a good thread by Friday...
START ONE!
Art -
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Permalink Reply by Wendy Neumeyer on
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Well Art, I must say, I agree with you. However, I am not above inanity. Just lead me down the path and I'll follow if that's the mood I'm in. I have replied to a few different discussions since I arrived, and one reply was mildly inflammatory (I apologize Siren), due to this particular impression of such behavior. I am a serious person most of the time, but sometimes we all need to cut loose, and it's usually safer to do it with friends!
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I probably LOOK more serious than I am. Well, I am serious about some things; passionate to a fault on some stuff.
But I also like to have a good laugh, too. I am told that laughing adds years to your life. So, I haven't stopped laughing since I read that.
By my best calculation, I should live to be 200.
Hmmm. Maybe that's in dog years. Or cat years.
I'm trying to be serious here.
Art -
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Permalink Reply by Tiger Schmittendorf on
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Congratulations Art -
You've managed to create a discussion about discussions, which not to be redundant, is a valid discussion. A blog within a blog, of sorts. I mean that in a very positive way.
As you and I have discussed, I too thirst for real dialogue, not necessarily controversial or inflammatory in nature, but real feedback. More than three words at a time. My thirst for feedback drives my thirst for sharing.
Many of my ideas are somewhat experimental. I'd like to see other folks try them out in their incubator and let me know what works and doesn't work. I have my own incubator to work in.
Sometimes I get too close to a subject to see all of the peripheral issues or consequences. I tend to be somewhat of a lone wolf, favoring "action" over "discussion." I favor doing my homework, creating the program or solution, and moving forward in applying it. I don't wait for anyone to tell me what to do or what needs to be done.
A good friend gave me this quote: "A committee is a cul-de-sac down which great ideas are lured, and strangled."
I too am passionate to a fault. It's nice to know there's someone else out there who suffers from the same chronic addictions I do.
Keep up the great work with your blog and never let the passion die. I'll try to do the same, but I'm gonna need some help.
Stay safe. Train often. -
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Permalink Reply by Mary Ellen Shea on
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I think that the meat and potatoes discussion is what is keeping a lot of the good firenerds on here, but I'm also witnessing a hesitancy to post. Why? Because on any forum such as this, you're going to get flamers, pardon the pun, who live for shouting down common sense because they don't agree with one viewpoint, or those who select one minor aspect of a discussion, and grab hold like a pit bull on Fluffy.
If I never saw another discussion again on the skills or heroics, debatable or not, of volunteer firefighters vs. paid, I'd be a happy girl. It's been flogged mercilessly, with no achievable resolution. So let the yahoos fight it out; I'll keep reading your stuff because it's valid, sensible, and applicable.
Now go eat some turkey and rest assured, the wheat will separate from the chaff. It always does. -
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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on
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Sounds like someone has a little attitude problem here...seems to me that the last time I read we were still a Democracy and in that one can say whatever the hell they want. I suggest you get off your high horse and give the people here a little "freedom" to talk about anything that they want....A Chief once told me when I was a probie that I should stay away from the people that talk the most about fires and what they did or do....that they would end up getting me killed....sounds kind of similiar to me............Regardless of what you think I still wish you the best and hope you stay safe................Paul
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Dear Abby:
Paul says that I have an attitude. I don't know where he gets his attitude, but I think he might be confusing "attitude" with "insight".
He also said that I have a high horse. Granted, I feed it grass, but I have never noticed any side effects of doing that. It could get me into trouble with the humane society.
He accuses me-a history major in college-of not knowing what a democracy is. If he only knew how excruciating it was to sit through class with a Chinese instructor explaining American democracy, he wouldn't be so quick to accuse. And anyone knows that under a democracy, that there is freedom.
A chief once told me that if you don't focus on the task at hand, you will have a hand in its failure.
Was he just hosing me or is there something to that?
Maybe Paul has me confused with someone else.
Signed,
Less Paulmoreart -
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Permalink Reply by turk182 on
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I agree with art in a way there was arguing going on on another post and I said that we should put our combined knowledge to use and train each other in areas that we either do not know or there are better way of doing some things or better equipment comes out but I got you need better ammunition than that back but I am sorry I did not know you were suposed to bring ammunition to the peace table. but this site should be used to help further educate fire fighters or help new one learn from us.but I found that in most cases when people do not like your point of veiw they just attack you instead of trying to plead their case and show you they are right.
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Permalink Reply by Oldman on
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I too read, rather than post on these forums. A wise man once instilled in me that it was usually better to listen than talk. There are a lot of posts I read where it is apparent that a reply will only fall on deaf ears, so I choose not to. I read between the lines on most post and can see that many times, posts become topics out of frustration either with the work environment, situation, or personal conflict. I see nothing wrong with discussing "firefighting stuff", but I'm not aware of a department in the country where it is done 24/7. Most certainly not at mine. My people have topics which range from a particular call to someone love life, and this is every day. So what if someone wants to post about the color of a truck? As I look at this forum, I see many, many posts and topics pertaining to Fire/EMS, and there are many which of a more personal topic. Most are posted in the separate categories for which they are intended, occasionally one slips out into the wrong area. We (the fire service) are a social group, and as such will have a diverse range of topics and interests which will not appeal to all. But this is how we get to know people. So I will continue to sit back and listen to people venting their frustrations, expressing their doubts and fears, or discussing fire topics. This way I can learn more about my extended family of brothers and sisters, most whom I will never meet.
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Thats sort of what I was referring to....this is, to some, the only place to vent....sort of their little coping mechanism for other things.....Seems to me that if there are issues...discussing the color of trucks may seem petty....but if thats whats on the mind at the time...then its certainly not petty....Stay safe all............Misunderstood but still a Brother...................LOL Paul
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If you will have noticed, I too posted in the Truck Colors thread.
The point that I was making was not that we shouldn't discuss truck colors, but why we seem to be more passionate about truck colors and not about, say, firefighter safety or some of the politically charged topics.
I like to cut up too.
I like escapism.
But I like serious discussion too.
I loathe people patting themselves on the back. Someone else called it self-promotion.
I would like to see this site used AS a tool; not BY the tools.
And no; I'm not calling anywhere here a tool.
Come on, Paul; you got to admit Dear Abby was at least witty.
Art -
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Permalink Reply by Allen Wahlstrom on
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Art, I have to agree with you on not only the more fluff then substance, as well as the history lessons.
I get a little worked up over the pat yourself on the back, and wow arent we hereos threads. BUT ther eare occasionally some good nuggets in there as well.
I didnt post on the color of trucks.engines, but I am old school a truck should be red kind of guy. (even if the first few years were covered in safety green, yellow..puke color that it was)
And damn it I need more Vinnie and Jake... -
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