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10 minutes in the station-a different type of scenario.
After the great scenario Chris posted several days back which generated some great discussions, I've got a DIFFERENT type of scenario to get some input on, so here goes:
It is training night at the vollie station. For tonight’s training, the TO has chosen to drill on a timed evolution for attack deployment. The drill consists of one truck and 4 firefighters. From a standing start, the truck crew is to quick dress, mount the apparatus, the driver/IC will assign jobs and perform a forward lay from the hydrant to the training building. Dropping off his first FF to attach the LDH and wait for the signal to charge. The driver will then move the truck to the front of the structure and hook up to the LDH and assist the 2-man attack team getting the 1 3/4 deployed and get to the front door. When the truck is set and everyone is in position, the IC will charge the attack line and send his attack team in to find the seat and attack. Time stops when the water hits the "fire”.
After a couple of turns where each FF takes a turn in the IC seat, you get to the third FF on the team. He performs all his duties well until he gets to the step of the process where he needs to put the truck in “pump gear”. He forgets to take the truck out of Drive and into Neutral before he engages the pump. There is a tremendous grinding/crunching noise and the pump begins vibrating violently. The evolution is stopped while an assessment of the damage is made. Now, when the pump is engaged correctly, the truck vibrates noticeably and the pump makes some extremely unpleasant noises and will not build any pressure. Obviously the pump is FUBAR.
Things to consider:
This FF has almost 5 years experience with 3 years experience as a driver/pump operator.
He has been trained on pump operations and this is his “home” truck.
As of late, he has been dealing with multiple personal problems including a favorite grandmother who is struggling with some severe heath problems. He was recently laid off from his job and is having difficulty finding work. And to top it all off, he and his wife of 2 years separated last week and are planning on a divorce.
Over the past couple of months, he been late for station functions (including training) on multiple occasions and has been completely absent for a few as well. There have been one or two occasions where he claimed to be visiting his sick grandma and was then discovered to be on-line in a chat room.
For the most part, he appears to be a level-headed individual who (until recently), appeared to take his position with the department seriously and participated regularly in station functions. But the “mistake” with the truck is probably gonna take a good bite out of the station budget when things are already as tight as a drumhead.
So, given the above information, how would you discipline this individual?
It is training night at the vollie station. For tonight’s training, the TO has chosen to drill on a timed evolution for attack deployment. The drill consists of one truck and 4 firefighters. From a standing start, the truck crew is to quick dress, mount the apparatus, the driver/IC will assign jobs and perform a forward lay from the hydrant to the training building. Dropping off his first FF to attach the LDH and wait for the signal to charge. The driver will then move the truck to the front of the structure and hook up to the LDH and assist the 2-man attack team getting the 1 3/4 deployed and get to the front door. When the truck is set and everyone is in position, the IC will charge the attack line and send his attack team in to find the seat and attack. Time stops when the water hits the "fire”.
After a couple of turns where each FF takes a turn in the IC seat, you get to the third FF on the team. He performs all his duties well until he gets to the step of the process where he needs to put the truck in “pump gear”. He forgets to take the truck out of Drive and into Neutral before he engages the pump. There is a tremendous grinding/crunching noise and the pump begins vibrating violently. The evolution is stopped while an assessment of the damage is made. Now, when the pump is engaged correctly, the truck vibrates noticeably and the pump makes some extremely unpleasant noises and will not build any pressure. Obviously the pump is FUBAR.
Things to consider:
This FF has almost 5 years experience with 3 years experience as a driver/pump operator.
He has been trained on pump operations and this is his “home” truck.
As of late, he has been dealing with multiple personal problems including a favorite grandmother who is struggling with some severe heath problems. He was recently laid off from his job and is having difficulty finding work. And to top it all off, he and his wife of 2 years separated last week and are planning on a divorce.
Over the past couple of months, he been late for station functions (including training) on multiple occasions and has been completely absent for a few as well. There have been one or two occasions where he claimed to be visiting his sick grandma and was then discovered to be on-line in a chat room.
For the most part, he appears to be a level-headed individual who (until recently), appeared to take his position with the department seriously and participated regularly in station functions. But the “mistake” with the truck is probably gonna take a good bite out of the station budget when things are already as tight as a drumhead.
So, given the above information, how would you discipline this individual?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Capt.Alex Arnold on
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I would mostly agree with Lt. Peterson. But to expand it a little bit more, I would consider the following things also. Maybe it is a little "Life time-out" to re-evaluate personal issues. I would reinforce that the district is there for him to help with what they can. The district is still going to be there after he takes some time. If he is determined to work through this and still be an active part of the department then I would consider a couple of other actions. Assign him to pumper maitenance. Have him do or be active in assisting these duties. Then I would assign them as the engineer for "X" amount of time. This should help reinforce pumper procedures. Defintily I would reinforce that he is a valuable member. Everyone of us in the service over time have made some critical errors also. When handling any kind of action you need to keep that in mind. I have worked with some excellent fire fighters that have done some "not well thought out" actions in their past. It is all part of being a "human" fire fighter. In the words of Michael Jordan, "I have failed over and over, and that is why I have succeeded." Be safe and learn something new today.
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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on
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With you here Capt...Sending him off to "think" might NOT be best for him at this time...He is obviously having some issues and we don't want to add to them at this time...Talking ONE TO ONE is good...and also keep him involved in the things he loves so much...but reassignment might be a good thing for all involved...I am sure he feels badly enough for F_cking up the pump....in fact including him more might actually allow him to work through his issues...lets's not abandon one of our own in a time of need.....Paul
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Permalink Reply by Loyd Dittfurth on
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i believe it said in my basic book that any unusual behavoir that lasted more than a month becomes a behavioral emergencyhaving that said y dont you also maybe say somthin to him about seeking medical help my dad went threw some tough times and i didnt know it for years but he went to a shrink and got on some medicine that helped and over time the dosage went down untill he doesnt even take it anymore
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