Forming community partnerships
Gary Rieth
Fire and Life Safety Educator
Maryland Heights (MO) Fire District
None of us have all the answers or resources that we would like. Although we are called fire departments or fire districts, the fire problem is a community problem. Who suffers from the devastation of fire? The community does.
For many years, fire agencies have tried to go it alone. Some still say, “The fire department will handle it because it deals with fire.” Too many times we keep asking the same question over and over, but no more. We need to “social shock” our thinking. We are overlooking questions and concerns that others may have.
Forming partnerships is not a new idea. It has been around for a while, but the fire service has never really used it. What better way to understand teachers than to form a partnership with your local school? What better way to understand businesses than to form a partnership with them?
Their fresh ideas to problem solving are exactly what we need in the fire service. For too long, we have been looking at the problem only from our side. How refreshed our programs could be if we took the time to explore new ideas.
We could give a dull, worn-out program a shot in the arm with new ideas. If you are developing a program, take the time to get other opinions. The fire service needs to form community partnerships that will lead us into the new millennium.
The information, ideas, time, manpower, and money are out there. It is time for us to go and get them.
