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Mind Set
I seem to find that you can't get some firefighters to accept new ideas because they seem to have Mind Set meaning that they won't change their ideas about the way things have been.
Show them a new item or procedure that could do something better and they will argue about the way they have been doing it for years.
I am not talking about just old ones either. I found it also amoung young ones and middle age too.
Only way something changes is if one side of county fire service accepts the idea and its pushed by the leaders for the others to follow by standards.
Lets say a new device is making the rounds out there. You get a DVD which shows how it works and you show it as a training night class. Then someone will say "What good is it compared to what we have been doing?" It might be faster, lighter, use less material and they are not interested.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on
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Tell them that minds are like parachutes, they only work when they're open.
Of course, you could ask them why they don't want to try something new, maybe they're all just really stupid and are incapable of learning new things? If that's the case then they shouldn't be firefighters...make them all join your ladies auxiliary.
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Permalink Reply by Kendell Spence on
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This reminds me of a little story that just happened at my department not long ago.....I was teaching some firefighters about Mayday procedures and the importance of having RIT teams ready...our D/Cheif spoke up and said "we cant have a RIT team we dont have the man power"....I just looked at him and said "well it could be your ass in there wondering were your help is coming from"....i like to say that we are working on putting one togeather now....but he has been in the dept for 25+ years and he likes the old way not the new way of things (just make me mad sometimes trying to teach new FF's and some of the older ones that are exceptable to change.. then you get others saying we dont need to do that)....thanks
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Permalink Reply by Russ on
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whenever i think about chang i think about the sign in the firehouse in backdraft...
"200 YEARS OF PROGRESS UNIMPEADED BY CHANGE"
and i have to laugh. it seems that whenever you want to change something you allways get the "Y's" Y-do we have to change, Y-is this necessary, Y-does it cost so much, Y-do we have to do it because only one department is doing it.
i believe in the sell approach. pitch the idea and convice them that its "their idea" then once they go for it...tell them the truth
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Permalink Reply by Don Catenacci on
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Look, I am all for change and progress. I am a member of a POC FD that is considered in some respects as quite radical by some of our neighbors. So it is not that I am anti-change or progress.
What I am opposed to is the need by some to change things just because they can. If something is working, has a history of working, and nothing markedly better has come along, then leave it alone. On the other hand, being stuck in the past with tools and tactics that have long since been passed by by most of the rest of the fire service is no good either.
I think we need a measured approach to change. Make changes that make sense, make the job safer, easier, and more efficient.
Tradition isn't the culprit. Some traditions are good and important to how the fire service was formed and how it has survived. Traditions of bravery, service to others and our communities, and Brotherhood, are all good traditions that make us who we are.
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Permalink Reply by ashfire on
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I have been in the fire service over 30 years and been willing to see the ideas that come along that be put to use. We had a big day of fires back in Feb which had our county and any help we could get maxed out. One thing that someone bought along to work on a major brush fire was leaf blowers with misting tanks. Our county chief wants to up grade the operations for brush fires so he has suggested getting leaf blowers with the misting tanks.
I have heard some say get there and get into the action so you don't have to spend money for something like that.
I have seen a company that been on the market for years around the world called IFEX Tech which uses high pressure shots of air and water mix to knock fires. It can be a backpack unit or mounted on a vehicle or even helicopters. Only a few places in the USA use IFEX Tech in the fire service but only a few.
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Have you ever felt that members of your dept were wearing old time horse blinders that only make them look straight ahead and not whats happening around them. They only want to go in one direction when it comes to ideas or training.
If they go to a fire exhibit or convention and are offered free siminars they will go sit in a hotel room or where they are staying and watch TV, do a tour or party and say we have enough training so we're not worried about it.
Something always changes. Every year EMS changes a procedure and protocol changes and up dates classes or online training are required or their certifications can be pulled.
They will do that but will not checkout extra credit siminars.
Fun is great but adding to your knowledge makes you better.
I always have time to myself after a convention ends so I take in the sights or see what is around afterwards.
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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
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Paradigms!The fire service is full of them with many who staunchly uphold them. As Chief it has always been my position to listen, evaluate, support,listen more, evaluate and allow change as necessary. Its my job to provide for my troops and lead them without getting in the way. I am irritated by those who refuse to change just because its more comfortable to do things the way its always been done. How do you think we have come to do what we do now? Someone brought that idea forward at one time or another and change was initiated to accept the new idea back then. Be flexible or get out of the way! At least help to create a environment that allows the thought process to share new ideas and consider them rather then being closed minded.
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good point Russ
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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on
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Gee... Like that doesn't happen here on the FFN or anything, just read some of my posts. Tough crowd sometimes... But guess what, whether folks like it or not, change is inevitable. So either get on board and learn to adapt... or go back and curl up on the porch because running with the big dogs isn't gunna happen.
Lead, follow or get out of the way!
CBz
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