Recognize the team, not just the individual
Firefighters tend not to blow their own horns, especially when it comes to “heroic acts.” The attitude is, Let the deeds speak for themselves; if recognition comes, fine, but otherwise, it was “just doin` the job.” The world in which we ply our trade is complex and demands that we advance and adapt our products to meet the needs of today`s rescue consumer. The fire service has responded and embraced new rescue technologies, adapted approaches, and invented a couple of things of our own. These leaps forward have created an attitude gap regarding the way meritorious service is viewed.
I recently had the honor and opportunity to nominate a group of firefighters and officers for a “Valor Award.” These men were involved in a dangerous, dramatic, complex, and technically demanding high-angle rescue. The award is presented annually and is sponsored by a fine civic organization. Valorous action, as defined in the award application, required that a rescuer`s life be in jeopardy. Only three members involved in the rescue actually operated “on-line.” The other rescue team members did not meet the definition for valor in this application. The victim owed his life to the entire team of rescuers. The application definition excluded personnel who were integral to the operation`s success. I felt this was unfair and wanted to address what I considered a failure of the fire department to educate the people who recognize and support our efforts.
Traditionally, an application is submitted for just the guys who were on the rope. The others were “just doin` the job.” Taking a different tack, we nominated all rescue team members. A nominating letter attempting to educate the civilian committee members regarding technical rescue was drafted; we were looking to expand the definition of valorous action to include (rightfully so) the entire team.
The following is a paraphrase of the nominating letter:
Complex technical rescue operations must be measured against a new barometer. High-angle and other rescue operations that can be characterized as “techno-rescues” (i.e., extrication, confined space, trench rescue) do not fit the traditional “independent agent” rescuer mold. In technical rescue, the action and skill level of every team member impacts the outcome of the rescue. High-angle rescue is an inherently team-driven activity. Every position in the rescue group is integral to the success of the operation. The team members putting their lives on the line are literally placing their lives in the hands of the other members of the team. The high drama, sound bite, and photo op portion of the operation are the end products of what is essentially an improvised rescue factory. The complexity and uniqueness of these rescues and their dependence on close, cooperative, and coordinated action among members obligate my forwarding these nominations.
The successful outcome of this dramatic and intricate rescue resulted from an extremely high degree of technical knowledge and skill, coordination, command, and cooperation. The ability to place members on rescue rope, lower them to a victim, and safely retrieve the victim and all rescuers is an operation that is more than difficult, even under the most rescue-friendly conditions. There was nothing friendly about the conditions facing the rescuers at this incident. High-angle rescue is one of the most technically demanding types of rescue operations. It requires hours upon hours of training, an unbelievable amount of equipment (harnesses, pulleys, ascenders, carabiners, figure-eights, rappel racks, anchors, and much more), and the ability to adapt and customize this equipment to any situation or terrain.
This rescue`s demands were extreme. A man had fallen 80 feet down a sheer cliff and was lying semiconscious on a small outcropping two hundred feet above the Hudson River. The rescuers were operating blind due to the road`s setback from the cliff and heavy foliage and brush. The severely injured victim was bleeding and going into shock. These factors pressurized the rescue environment. Time was an enemy, but because of the combination of terrain, absence of line-of-sight contact, and patient stabilization and victim packaging needs, the officers in charge knew this operation would not unfold quickly and implemented a “make haste slowly” strategy.
The rescue operation required constant adapting and reconfiguring of the hauling and lowering systems and the actual on-the-spot creation of new and never-used systems. Innovating and switching systems to meet on-line rescuers` needs could only be achieved through close cooperative interactions; highly trained and skilled rope technicians; and strong command, control, and communications by the officers in charge. The large number of rescuers needed and the rescue`s dynamics required many firefighters to change jobs and positions during the incident, and many had to be trained on-scene. This in itself is an amazing feat.
The rescue operation`s success resulted from the bravery of individuals and the brave and valiant efforts of the rescue team members, who safely held the life of the victim in their hands. Without a rescue team`s combined cooperative efforts, no rescue would have been possible. Recognizing the bravery, valor, heroism, and valiant action of the rescuers in these types of rescues will in no way diminish the intent, spirit, validity, or prestige of the Valor Award. Very much to the contrary, such recognition would enhance the award`s prestige by acknowledging the changes, advances, and innovative response of the fire service to the challenges, demands, and complexities of today`s rescue scenarios.
A postscript to this letter: The civilian nomination committee determined that all members of the rescue team should share in the Valor Award. Once the good people involved understood what it took to effect the rescue, they wanted to give recognition where recognition was due. We take for granted that people know what we`re up against and how good we are. Some do; some don`t. It`s our job to keep the public informed and educated. To steal a phrase from a clothing store, “An educated consumer is our best customer.”
Edward Flood
Chief of Operations
Weehawken (NJ) Fire Department
