Fire Critic An Unadulterated View of the Fire Service
I originally posted the “Definition of a Professional Fire Fighter” yesterday. You can read it here.
Then, The Happy Medic responded and thought that the simplistic statement was far from the truth.
I didn’t really go into depth as to my take on it because I thought that the message was received. However, Happy was Unhappy with the statement and I will take this opportunity to expound on my thoughts of what the statement says to me. I do appreciate the challenge, and I think that this explanation will be more worthwhile for the younger firefighters who might viewed the statement as Happy has pointed out.
I still maintain that for those of us who read the simple statement should be able to understand the message and not require such an explanation. In addition, the statement was published in a book in 1986, there is no telling how long ago it was said, although I do not think that it needs further dissection or explanation.
On the other hand, I will oblige….Thanks for asking my opinion Happy. Most of the time, my stories simply offer a thought process and I ask a question. Few people realize that I only offer my opinion after being asked or challenged.
Those who possess “Professionalism” don’t need a statement to remind us. We have created a subconscious thought process that enables us to ensure our professionalism without having to think about it.
I am also certain that The Happy Medic exudes professionalism and understands that it is worth its effort for those who don’t get it yet!
The original appears in regular type. My inference is explained in the bold.
The fact that you are a paid fire fighter in no way makes you a professional. The fact that you are a volunteer fire fighter in no way makes you a professional. I think this is self explanatory and puts the debate at an even keel. Its words speak volumes for those who think they are better than the other just because one does it as a voluntary measure and others who make a living doing it. This day in age, the “fire fighter” should probably also include those who are single role EMS or dual role Fire/EMS.
You become a professional only when you exhibit on the fire ground those professional skills that you have acquired over the years… Fire ground = on scene of any call that you respond to. This might also include any other events you are a part of while in the public view as a fire fighter. Exhibiting professional skills = training, experience, knowledge, and everything else you put in that little toolbox between your ears that you effectively use while operating in the day to day operations of your job.
Your conduct on the fire ground is and will be the only yardstick by which your superiors and the public can judge you and the organization you represent… Again, Fire ground = on scene of any call that you respond to. This might also include any other events you are a part of while in the public view as a fire fighter. Your conduct = the view of your actions by others (coworkers, superiors, public); what, when, and how you do it; whether or not you are a team player; this also includes your attitude and appearance. Yardstick by which your superiors and the public can judge you = Chiefs don’t care about what you had for breakfast, that you cooked the best spaghetti of your life for dinner, or that you studied your run territory after lunch. They care about you being capable of doing the tasks put in front of you while on calls. The public doesn’t care about that stuff either, they care about when they need you or see you out in public you look like you know what you are doing! Judge you and the organization you represent = While in public you are always under the microscope. You are constantly being sized up by the public. If you give the appearance that you do not know what you are doing the public will think that. Hell, even if you are doing what you are supposed to do, the public might still not understand it.
Happy also wrote:
Not long ago it was an offense to be out of quarters without cover on. That means wearing a hat for you younger folk. Now there are departments wearing shorts. SHORTS! I’ll admit, I tried it once during a hot summer in the southwest and I felt like a teenager, not a Professional.
Not all departments share the uniform policies, uniform requirements, or traditions. I do understand where Happy is coming from, but my department uniform is BDU’s and a t-shirt. I admit it doesn’t exude the professional image that I would like, but I am not the one making the policies. All I can say is that it is what you make of it. We do a pretty decent job of creating a professional appearance even with our cost-saving irregular BDU’s and shirts that both easily fade. This is out of our hands and unfortunate at best.
