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A Higher Standard Of What?
How often do we hear this statement: Firefighters are held to a higher standard. So my question is; a higher standard of what?
It is just not unusual to read that:
A Chief is accused/arrested/sentenced for misappropriation of department funds;
A firefighter is accused/arrested/sentenced for arson;
A firefighter LODD for a 70 plus y/o firefighter;
A firefighter LODD responding in a POV;
A firefighter thinks that NFPA standards are too much to require;
It's okay to allow a minor into or near an IDLH environment.
What is that "Higher Standard" that everyone talks about? Clearly most people seem to agree that felons have no place in the fire service, since trust is a huge issue within the fire service. We don't want to tarnish our image and lessen the public's confidence with us by allowing felons to enter their homes/places of business. We are there to help them, not steal from them.
Yet when we do show up on scene, with all of our firefighters felony free, what else does the public expect from us? Competent leadership? They may not immediately be able to put a finger on it but I'm sure that they do indeed expect competent leadership. Are we providing that? How can we prove it?
If the NFPA actually provides for standards of training, are these not in fact the "Higher Standards" of which we speak? Should not the Chief be meeting -if not exceeding- these standards? What of the Officers, are they too following NFPA Standards in training and education for leadership? Or have they simply become an officer in a department popularity contest?
If we as firefighters are "held to a higher standard' then why are we losing firefighters in apparatus accidents? Doesn't the law require all motorists to wear seatbelts? Then how is it that some firefighters are NOT wearing them? They aren't meeting THE standard, much less the "higher" standard.
Firefighters are still killed or injured responding or returning, mostly in POV's, why is that? If the standard says obey all motor vehicle laws/regulations why then are firefighters speeding, driving recklessy, not wearing seatbelts, not stopping at intersections? Why are firefighters NOT setting the example for all others? You know, that "higher standard."
We have 60, 70 and even the odd 80 year old firefighter succumbing to a LODD. Which standard is that? What physical have they had that cleared them for active duty? One recent article in Fire Chief Magazine said that perhaps 60% of all firefighters have NOT had a physical since their initial one. Which standard again are we being held to?
Why are there 'firefighters' setting fires? How did they even get into the department? Did their background and reference checks fail to find such proclivities, or were those checks even done? Are we more concerned with having firefighters than with having competent ones?
Federal child labor laws, NFPA, OSHA and NIOSH are very clear about the dangers and the acceptable hazards of firefighting and the rules by which we must operate. Yet why are minors being injured on the fireground? What is going on that is sending a clear message to adults and children that they are entitled, that it is their right, to be exposed to the same hazards as adults? Yet those same kids can not legally run a wood chipper, band saw or operate heavy equipment because there are laws governing such activities, or "standards", if you will. And we're being held to 'higher' ones?
NFPA standards are clear about the minimum level of training to be a certified firefighter, how to burn an acquired structure, who may operate apparatus, how healthy and fit one should be, what they need to know to be a leader and so many other things. These indeed ARE the standards by which we are supposed to operate. They are supposed to be the MINIMUM standards. And we are supposed to be held to a HIGHER standard. But are we?
Or is that sentiment just that, a sentiment, a "feeling" that we should be held to it but accepting the reality that we are not required to do so? Is it just so much lip service?
Is the idea of being held to a higher standard nothing more than yet another "I fight what you fear" tee shirt saying? Does this 'higher standard' get in the way of doing the job? Or is the argument simply one of not enough money or time? Is an unfunded, undertrained, poorly led fire department better than none at all? Isn't that like cutting out the seatbelts and disabling the SSR in a brand new car? It will get you where you're going but you've given up all the safety protection.
We need firefighters, call out the juniors.
We need firefighters, let granpa be on the knob.
We need firefighters, ignore the rules of the road.
We need firefighters, leave your smokes on the dashboard, next to your twinkies and giant slurpy.
We need leaders, everyone seems to like you, you lead!
We're independent, we do what we please, as we please.
We'll decide the standards to which we are held, and lower them as needed.
It's funny, professionals have standards and work not just to meet them, but to exceed them. It's what the public expects. It's what being professional is all about.
So for those of you that think the fire can't tell the difference, that it's all about "heart" and pithy tee shirts, that no one should be telling you what to do or how to do it, think again. You can meet the standards and be professional or you can ignore them and solidly maintain your amatuer standing. What's it gonna be?
It is just not unusual to read that:
A Chief is accused/arrested/sentenced for misappropriation of department funds;
A firefighter is accused/arrested/sentenced for arson;
A firefighter LODD for a 70 plus y/o firefighter;
A firefighter LODD responding in a POV;
A firefighter thinks that NFPA standards are too much to require;
It's okay to allow a minor into or near an IDLH environment.
What is that "Higher Standard" that everyone talks about? Clearly most people seem to agree that felons have no place in the fire service, since trust is a huge issue within the fire service. We don't want to tarnish our image and lessen the public's confidence with us by allowing felons to enter their homes/places of business. We are there to help them, not steal from them.
Yet when we do show up on scene, with all of our firefighters felony free, what else does the public expect from us? Competent leadership? They may not immediately be able to put a finger on it but I'm sure that they do indeed expect competent leadership. Are we providing that? How can we prove it?
If the NFPA actually provides for standards of training, are these not in fact the "Higher Standards" of which we speak? Should not the Chief be meeting -if not exceeding- these standards? What of the Officers, are they too following NFPA Standards in training and education for leadership? Or have they simply become an officer in a department popularity contest?
If we as firefighters are "held to a higher standard' then why are we losing firefighters in apparatus accidents? Doesn't the law require all motorists to wear seatbelts? Then how is it that some firefighters are NOT wearing them? They aren't meeting THE standard, much less the "higher" standard.
Firefighters are still killed or injured responding or returning, mostly in POV's, why is that? If the standard says obey all motor vehicle laws/regulations why then are firefighters speeding, driving recklessy, not wearing seatbelts, not stopping at intersections? Why are firefighters NOT setting the example for all others? You know, that "higher standard."
We have 60, 70 and even the odd 80 year old firefighter succumbing to a LODD. Which standard is that? What physical have they had that cleared them for active duty? One recent article in Fire Chief Magazine said that perhaps 60% of all firefighters have NOT had a physical since their initial one. Which standard again are we being held to?
Why are there 'firefighters' setting fires? How did they even get into the department? Did their background and reference checks fail to find such proclivities, or were those checks even done? Are we more concerned with having firefighters than with having competent ones?
Federal child labor laws, NFPA, OSHA and NIOSH are very clear about the dangers and the acceptable hazards of firefighting and the rules by which we must operate. Yet why are minors being injured on the fireground? What is going on that is sending a clear message to adults and children that they are entitled, that it is their right, to be exposed to the same hazards as adults? Yet those same kids can not legally run a wood chipper, band saw or operate heavy equipment because there are laws governing such activities, or "standards", if you will. And we're being held to 'higher' ones?
NFPA standards are clear about the minimum level of training to be a certified firefighter, how to burn an acquired structure, who may operate apparatus, how healthy and fit one should be, what they need to know to be a leader and so many other things. These indeed ARE the standards by which we are supposed to operate. They are supposed to be the MINIMUM standards. And we are supposed to be held to a HIGHER standard. But are we?
Or is that sentiment just that, a sentiment, a "feeling" that we should be held to it but accepting the reality that we are not required to do so? Is it just so much lip service?
Is the idea of being held to a higher standard nothing more than yet another "I fight what you fear" tee shirt saying? Does this 'higher standard' get in the way of doing the job? Or is the argument simply one of not enough money or time? Is an unfunded, undertrained, poorly led fire department better than none at all? Isn't that like cutting out the seatbelts and disabling the SSR in a brand new car? It will get you where you're going but you've given up all the safety protection.
We need firefighters, call out the juniors.
We need firefighters, let granpa be on the knob.
We need firefighters, ignore the rules of the road.
We need firefighters, leave your smokes on the dashboard, next to your twinkies and giant slurpy.
We need leaders, everyone seems to like you, you lead!
We're independent, we do what we please, as we please.
We'll decide the standards to which we are held, and lower them as needed.
It's funny, professionals have standards and work not just to meet them, but to exceed them. It's what the public expects. It's what being professional is all about.
So for those of you that think the fire can't tell the difference, that it's all about "heart" and pithy tee shirts, that no one should be telling you what to do or how to do it, think again. You can meet the standards and be professional or you can ignore them and solidly maintain your amatuer standing. What's it gonna be?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Loyd Dittfurth on
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I believe that It is refering to
Firefighters are held to a higher standard of morals.
If a firefighter gets a DWI can they accually tell someone dont drink and drive?
If a firefighter steals a watch at a house fire and it hits the news are we going to be trusted in that town as much?
If a firefighter doesnt buckle up can he teach about the pros of wearing a seatbelt?
If you get caught smoking pot can you say dont do drugs kiddos?
All of these things I have learned along the long hard road I have called my life. Some of those lessons I wish didnt come with the hardships. But, god has a plan and this is his for me.
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Permalink Reply by Sparky on
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I agree with you Jack, Standards are for a reason. SAFTY No#1. there no exsemption's only arogance and stupidity are those that think they are above all, rather your paid or vol. all applies to us all. every dept no mater the budget should have a SOP as to the higher standards. And for some of those lookie me I'm a firefighter is purly hog wash. Those of you that ignore Saftey and the Higher standards, makes the rest of us look bad and leaves a sour taste to the public . Oh! What about the chief and the safety officer??? shame on them.
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It can I didnt read all of the top I just answered the question
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Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on
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strtcopr,
On which side of the fence do you think most improvement needs to occur?
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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on
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Character. Ethics. Mental and Physical Health. Morals. Bravery. Honor.
Yeah; we should be above average in all of them.
I have a volunteer background and I will only say this but one time; if volunteers want to be taken seriously to the extent that they receive similar displays of respect given to career firefighters, then they should agree to training and education to the same national level as career firefighters. No; you don't have to have a Haz Mat team, so don't show up at a scene and get stupid. Sometimes, showing up could mean calling in someone who can handle it. Making good decisions on knowing when and when not to press the fight isn't a bad thing.
That would also mean showing up for calls sane and sober. That would mean respecting the privacy of the victims.
And it might cause many of you to change your profiles and take out any references to ADRENALINE. It looks bad and says that YOU get a rush off of someone else's misfortune. That's not very professional.
We done here?
TCSS.
Art
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Career or volunteer? we all have the same duty to our community. If the diffrence is attitude they need to find another Career. I have train and worked along side both. Mutural aid etc. So lets just leave it at that. So What!! I was a Paid 34 year FF. like I said its the attitude.
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This wasn't intended to be an indictment against the volunteer service, more of a mirror. Like I've said before, don't get mad, get better.
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Permalink Reply by Reg Mathis on
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Hey Jack,
As always, an eloquent and thought provoking post!
My feeling is that if I truly want to do this job, not for the fame, not for the glory, not for the recognition, but because it is in my heart and soul, then it is MY responsibility to hold MYSELF up to a higher standard. And I believe the same holds true from every person who reads this post. If I do not hold myself up to this "higher standard" and strive each and every day to improve my skills. If I do not hold myself up to this "higher standard" and do my best to set the right example to my fellow FF's and especially the juniors. And if I do not hold myself up to this "higher standard" and exemplify myself in the eyes and opinion of the public I serve, then it doesn't matter WHAT the "higher standard" is.
I guess the point I'm trying to make is that if WE do not expect the best out of ourselves, then nobody else can. And that expectation is the same for vollie or career.
TCSS
Reg
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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
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Jack, As long as there is a small rural community that has a need for emergency response there will always be a small group of individuals who are under-trained, under-equipped and without proper leadership. As I stated in a previous post, the standrds are out there BUT who is enforcing them or providing that all are meeting them? I deal with 12 other small rural agencies here in Curry County on the Southern Oregon coast. I dare say that several of them fall into that same catagory of the lacks I mentioned above. Sad but true that if there was really someone enforcing the standards there would indeed be many of these agencies that would no longer exist. However, if there was enforcement then we would have better trained, better equipped, and better led agencies because we would meet or exceed the standard or not be there. Some would argue that well, we try hard or we are doing the best we can or the age old excuse that "Were Just Volunteer". The fact of the matter there is no excuse for not meeting or exceeding the standards. Good post Bro.
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