Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mary Ellen Shea on February 17, 2009 at 6:14pm

No....I don't think it's you or your outfit. There is something to keep in mind....your line officers have two priorities....serving the community (knocking down fires) and keeping your butt safe so that you can do the job and go home to your wife and those two beautiful kids of yours. If direction still makes you feel like a probie, what's the alternative? You can't possibly know it all on this job, every single scenario is different. I hope that I'm still getting rock-solid teaching, training and mentoring when I've been doing this for another ten years.

Look at it as a training opportunity...each time, every time. Some day you might be wearing that white hat and your perspective might change. You have a good bunch of guys up there in your department...I've met at least half of them and can call a few of them friends. If it's still really bothering you....grab your Chief and pull him aside and IN A NON-WHINING, NON-THREATENING MANNER (sometimes ya gotta point that out to men...) tell him what's on your mind. But be careful what you ask for, responsiblity has its price.
Hope that helps pal. See ya round the pool. Or the next parade.
:)

Permalink Reply by Jeremy Bolster on February 19, 2009 at 8:35pm

Not whinning, just wondering. Do I seem like a threatening person? I think my new chief would agree. I have no problem with responsibility, I enjoy it. That is why I ask for it, and look forward to more. And I think it may be my outfit. Remember I 'm a B. See you if you ever stop up.

Permalink Reply by Mary Ellen Shea on February 19, 2009 at 10:44pm

No, if you re-read what I wrote, I wasn't actually implying that you were whining....but sometimes when we (meaning fire service people) get hepped up about something...it's kind of tough to dial it back and approach a conversation in a laid back way.

Case in point...I was at my installation banquet and having a perfectly nice convo w/ a senior officer....UNTIL....he brought up what he referred to as my "obsession" bordering on "pathological" about seatbelt usage...or in my department's case, lack thereof in most cases. ALL my calm and easygoing attitude got flushed down the crapper in less than three seconds. I was PISSED....but not because he was inferring that I was "psycho" about seatbelts, it was because he was missing the bigger picture, like unnecessary death and dismemberment.

I know your Chief, he's a good guy with a level head and he's open to honest discussion. So have that conversation with him and I think you'll be happier in the long run because you spoke up.

Permalink Reply by ECB on March 20, 2009 at 5:55pm

Well, I'm not a probie (unless you need more than 32 years to get beyond that), and I am a Chief, but I will respond anyway (isn't that just like a Chief!). Everyone has to prove themselves. It doesn't matter what the circumstances are, you are always proving yourself. One approach might be to talk to the Chief, and ask him how you are doing, and is there areas you can improve in. Do you tell them you are good at what you do? While it might be true, to some, it could sound like bragging. Others might hear you actually questioning your abilities when you are actually talking about them in a positive way. All of these are opinions based on a very small paragraph. Feel free to tell me I'm wrong. Heck, I am still a probie when it comes to some of this stuff.

Permalink Reply by Bill Claus on March 23, 2009 at 1:54pm

Hey All, here's some food for thought. I had a wrestling coach in high school tell me that as long as he was pushing us to do better, or yelling at us for making a mistake, not to worry. That was his way of letting us know he saw room for improvement and still had faith in us that we could do better. It was when he stopped pushing and yelling, that we needed to be concerned, because that meant he had given up hope.
Depending on what job it is, we are all rookies. As I read through the posts on here I seen Chief Bradshaw had 32 years on the job. Congrats to you Chief. My point to this is when Chief, any chief for that matter, first pinned on that chief badge, he became what? A rookie all over again, by being in a new position. No offense Chief.
You may be good at what you do, Jeremy, but others may see ways you can improve. Be thankful they are willing to share with you. Stay safe and God bless you all.

Permalink Reply by ECB on April 1, 2009 at 9:06pm

None taken, Bill. Absolutely! I had to learn things all over again. Budget, discipline, interacting with municipal officials. I had to earn the trust of my Department and my peers as the Chief. I had to prove myself to them and to myself that I am capable of handling the job. For the record, I am starting my 5th year as Chief on May 1st.

Permalink Reply by Marvin Personette on April 13, 2009 at 10:43am

first and foremost, allow me to introduce myself. i am marvin personette from ridge farm,illinois. i am a volunteer fireman,medical first responder, hazmat team member and severe weather spotter for my community and around the county. i have been involved in the medical and fire service going on 6 years now. regarding the trust issue. might i start by asking if you have several (seasoned) more experienced older guys on your department? if so, these guys have grown to trust one another over the years, and i stress years. if you have been on your department for 4 years now, then i would say that you are doing something right, and are obviously trusted. if you go home afterwards feeling like you have learned something and did the very best you could with what knowledge you do have, then that is an accomplishment. keep in mind also, that the trust you desire from these men (or) women on your department is entirely different from the trust you might graciously receive from others. when on scene, these men and women have to know that they can trust you with their lives, and the lives of others. hang in there. sounds to me as if you have what it takes. just polish up and smooth the edges some. take care and be safe.

Permalink Reply by Bobby on June 15, 2009 at 8:36am

Don't feel bad at all, I've been on for 8 years was one of the first on our dept to get ff1&2 and the haz mat pair, not to mention all the non cert training and I still get the same kind of treatment from time to time. Don't let it get you down, or discourage you from helping your community just as long as you can learn from any mistakes you have made and try to let the rest roll off your back.

Permalink Reply by Brittany Deweese on July 30, 2010 at 1:50pm

i really agree with this...