Editor’s Opinion Chris Mc Loone
Every so often, I struggle for ideas for my monthly editorial. I got into the car recently to bring my youngest, Ian, to the train station for his ride to school. I said, “I have to write my editorial today. What should I write about?”
I did this another time (see “Make It About Us,” December 2016), and it worked out pretty well. This time, I asked before school, so he wasn’t quite awake yet, but he thought for a second and said, “Make it about Sean’s wrestling and apply it to the firehouse.” It turns out, Ian was onto something.
It’s April, and that means it’s time for FDIC International. Over the years, along with it being known for the best training, the biggest expo, etc., I’ve heard it described as a place where firefighters and their leaders come to recharge their batteries. They come to learn, they come to catch up with old friends, they come to network and make new friends. They love the fire service, and they seek out new techniques, new ways to lead, new concepts—all to keep the fire service great.
My son Sean is a senior in high school and a captain on his wrestling team. He is, by far, having his best season since he began wrestling as a sophomore. His coaches have nicknamed him “The Blueprint.” He listens to the coaches, uses the techniques he’s taught, and follows the blueprint to success. In addition, they consider him the blueprint other wrestlers should follow to success. When the wrestling season is done, Sean does not stop. He seeks out other venues to learn more about the sport, learn how to be more successful, and participate in more tournaments. Some teammates follow that example, while others stop for the season, maybe complain about how often they wrestled, and speculate on what’s wrong with the coaching staff. Predictably, they struggle when the next season comes around.
When I’m at FDIC, the firefighters I see are the blueprints for their departments. They’re not sitting back at the firehouse, talking to anyone who will listen about what’s wrong with the fire service today. The problem with talking about what’s wrong with the fire service today is that you run out of people to talk to. How many times can you say the same thing? Any fire department will always have pockets of members—and thankfully these pockets are small and few and far between—who are just unpleasable. But, the blueprints—those are the ones who look to continually improve. They know by improving themselves, they improve the department.
It doesn’t have to be FDIC—the blueprints seek out knowledge wherever they can find it. And, it’s not only the training side. The firefighters who attend FDIC are not only coming for hands-on training and classes. They are also coming to learn about the newest and most innovative products available to ensure their departments continue to progress—to the extent that they can. By speaking with fire apparatus manufacturer representatives and personal protective equipment representatives, for example, they are learning not only about the products but also about creative ways to bring these products into their fire departments. In so doing, these attendees bring back critical skills for firefighting and become purchasing influencers as they learn more about the latest products available to the fire service.
Be the blueprints for your fire department and for the fire service. Appreciate the rich history of the fire service and keep improving it—not because there is something wrong with it but because continual improvement is something we should all strive for. Seek out knowledge wherever you can find it. Be the firefighter other members want to follow because you are showing them the path to success. Remember—the detractors are few and far between. My encounters with them through the years usually involve them drifting in and out of numerous fire companies. They ultimately root themselves out.
The best part of FDIC, for me, is meeting firefighters who want to improve themselves, thereby improving their departments. They see the big picture and how they play a role in it. It’s not unlike Sean and wrestling. He has one opponent, but his success ultimately contributes to the team’s success. That’s what it’s all about in the fire service—continually improving so the crew/company improves.
Thanks for the topic, Ian. Nice job.
