CHANGE-YOUR GIFT TO FUTURE GENERATIONS
EDITOR’S OPINION
Those self-deprecating words, “250 years of tradition unimpeded by progress,” still are spoken around the fire service—sometimes seriously, sometimes in half-jest—and they reflect what in some members is a deep-rooted resistance to change. That resistance must be displaced if the fire service is to succeed completely. Tradition is a foundation for future growth, not a brick wail at which forward movement stops.
To those students of life who spend much time actualizing their learnings in progressive, forward-thinking pursuits, who strive for organizational structures that are flexible rather than shatterproof, human rather than cast in granite, we owe our gratitude. It is you who will deliver a rich legacy to future firefighters, thereby ensuring that the fire service will be better off down the road because you were a part of it. It is your gift to future generations.
To the change agents, I applaud you. Here are just a few areas of positive change that come to mind. Feel free to add to the list.
No longer is improper personal protection a sign of toughness—it is a sign of stupidity. Personal protection technology is improving, and (though photos have shown occasional isolated lapses that speak otherwise) the fire service is acutely aware of the importance of having and wearing gear that’s consistent with potential hazards. The five seconds it takes to don prophylactic gloves at a medical emergency could mean a lifetime. The arguments against full turnout gear for interior structure firefighting have paled— note, with respect to this issue, that the City of New York Fire Department is in the process of purchasing bunker pants for all its members.
More and more departments are realizing the value of designating a safety officer at the scene, and both career and volunteer departments have added the position of safety officer to their organizational charts.
The fire service is studying Class A foam—in test and actual fire scenarios—for structure fire applications. A number of users have experienced success with this water enhancer, citing quicker knockdown times, less water required, less damage to the structure, and increased firefighter safety. Worthy of note, I think, is their desire to explore operational methodology beyond traditional practices.
We’re seeking new and safer methods to train firefighters. Computer-driven propane simulators arc being used in creative ways. Live burns in acquired structures are conducted with greater control and safety measures. On the horizon—possibly only a few short years away—is Virtual Reality, a 30-year-old computer simulation concept reborn through new technology. Some fire service members are communicating with computer research facilities to pursue the firefighter training potential of Virtual Reality.
An emphasis shift from fire department to crisis department is underway in fire organizations around the country. Undoubtedly, this will increase the municipal fire department’s chances of surviving and growing in the next century
Incident after incident testifies that the ICS works. Time and again it’s been shown that strong, practiced mutual-aid agreements can save whole sections of town. Almost 90 percent of all fire departments now participate in mutual-aid programs.
Departments are becoming more sensitive to environmental issues. Expect environmental regulations to increase in the coming years. Expect stringent enforcement of local live-burn restrictions. Expect to be held accountable for the environmental impact of firefighting operations. Expect it—and act now.
We’ve detected a greater incidence of developing and using standard operating procedures for the scope of emergency operations.
Fire prevention and community outreach programs have worked. Note, for example, that a communitywide fire prevention effort reduced Devil’s Night fires in Camden, New Jersey, by more than 80 percent from the previous year.
We are learning that the fire service is a service business and should be organized and managed as such. We are increasing our ability to serve our customers—our citizens. We’re developing more business savvy. We’re realizing that sound finance—and even a few “profit” centers—are not dirty concepts, but rather good business principles that will increase the health of our organizations.
In 1992, the fire service had its most prolific and successful year ever on Capitol Hill. We will continue to make our presence felt in Washington—as it should be. Some of our most important fire battles will be fought in the halls of Congress and on the assembly floor.
The fire service has swallowed some bitter losses to apparatus accidents, but has answered with a burgeoning growth in apparatus maintenance and safety programs.
Heavy rescue programs are springing up all over the country. FEMA’s network of disaster teams—staffed by the most highly skilled, well-trained, and well-equipped rescue specialists in the world—is in place.
Physical fitness programs and increased attention to fireground rehab are working to prevent heart attacks, the number one killer of firefighters, and heat stress.
Slowly, we’ve made strides in having automatic sprinkler legislation passed at the local level. The fire service is beginning to come around to the reality that fixed active and passive fire protection systems and fire prevention programs are the most effective weapons against our fire problem.
You’ve made spectacular, hard-earned saves of lives and property—but that’s no change.
You’ve reduced the firefighter death rate by 50 percent in one year—congratulations!
I’ve run out of room again. How are you changing? What do you see as your future?
A very safe and healthy New Year to firefighters everywhere. I look forward to serving you in 1993.
