When will the jobs come back?

If there is one thing about the recession that has caused my heart to ache it’s the reduction in firefighter staffing in many communities. Some economists have argued that economic downturns can force businesses and governments to examine their operations and find more efficient ways to operate. On the surface that sounds good. We want our governments to operate efficiently and we want to be good stewards of the public dollar.

However, the budgets of many fire departments have been chiseled away over the past ten years and all the while these departments were taking steps to reduce expenses and improve their efficiencies. Stated another way, they have become mean and lean, finding creative ways to provide the most essential services with minimal staffing. There was no more proverbial blood in the turnip. So, when cities looked for the next round of cuts there was nothing left to cut except personnel.

Now we’re being told by the economists and the federal government that the recession is over. So what is to come of fire departments in a post-recession (recovery) period? Will the jobs come back? My prediction is they will not (at least not in the short term). I am not a pessimist and I so much want to see the jobs of my brothers and sisters restored.

In my travels I have kept tuned in to what local leaders have been saying, both publicly and privately. This is what I hear them saying… Fire departments have been over staffed and over funded for years and the recession gave elected and appointed leaders the opportunity (a good excuse) to cut out the “excess” with a good reason to propose reductions (the economy). Some of these elected and appointed officials give me the appearance they are actually smug and gloating in their successful attempts to reduce the size of the fire department.

Some fire department leaders have vocally opposed the reductions. Some leaders have resigned their positions or retired out of protest. Union leaders have stood their ground, but only with marginal success.

So when will the jobs come back? My prediction is the jobs will return very slowly, if at all. I also predict that it will take a crisis to reinstate firefighter (and for that matter police officer jobs). We all know this type of reaction is commonplace. There has to be an incident that results in serious injuries or fatalities. Then, and only then, do the elected and appointed officials begin to take grief from their constituents and the calls for action are heeded.

My concern is this: Firefighters are sworn protectors of humankind. Firefighters are wired for action. And unlike some elected and appointed leaders, firefighters will not play politics with the lives of residents. All of this spells the potential for the crisis previously mentioned to involve the lives of firefighters.

I am hopeful that firefighters and their command officers are having meaningful discussions about how the strategies and tactics should be adjusted based on cuts in staffing. I fear that firefighters will continue to fight fires the same way they always have and that is the recipe for a disastrous outcome.

To all my brothers and sisters I ask you that in these challenging times, if your department’s line staffing has been reduced, work smarter and discuss among your colleagues how to adjust your standard operating procedures. Remember that you mean the world to someone… act accordingly and take steps to ensure you safety.

Fire Chief (ret.) Richard B. Gasaway, PhD, EFO, CFO, MICP
www.RichGasaway.com

Hyper Vigilent... it can save your life.

2009 Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week is June 14-20. The purpose of this week long event is to get fire and EMS personnel thinking... and talking... about safety. Don't take your safety for granted. More than 100 firefighters die in the line of duty each year. I bet not one of them thought it would happen to them, but it did. Today's buzz phrase... is hyper vigilent. To be hyper vigilent is to be extra perceptive of your surroundings and pay attention to the things that you might otherwise take for granted and overlook. When you go a long time without having an accident or a near-miss event you can became overly confident and complacent. Don't let that happen... become hyper vigilent.

Richard B. Gasaway, PhD, EFO, CFO
website: http://www.richgasaway.com/
Another Blog: http://www.woppyjawed.blogspot.com/
E-mail: RBG3100@aol.com

Five Ways to Climb the Ladder of Success

I am often asked by aspiring leaders how to ascend the ladder of success. I'm not sure that I have all the answers when it comes to this topic, but I can tell you some things I have done, and observed others doing, that helps.

1. Formal education: Oftentimes education is not a requirement for advancement, but it sure helps open doors of opportunity.

2. Life-long learning: Once you take your basic training or get a degree, don't stop there. Learning should be something you do for life.

3. Help others achieve their goals: One of the quickest and surest ways to achieve success is to help others succeed. You learn in the process and helping others feels good.

4. Networking: There's no doubt about it... success is partially based on what you know, and partially based on who you know. You never know how someone you meet today may help you achieve success years down the line. Don't discount building and maintaining relationship.

5. Share your expertise: Become a teacher and mentor to others. As you teach, you learn. As you mentor, you learn. As you learn, you have more success. It's synergistic.

Best of success in your climb up the ladder. Let me know how I can help you.

Richard B. Gasaway, PhD, EFO, CFO
www.RichGasway.com

Much to be thankful for

As we all know, the type of work we do does not take a holiday during the holidays. In fact, many fire and EMS services are often busier because of the stress and anxiety people have in their lives. In our profession we see the best and the worst of humanity and the Christmas holidays often put us in a position to see some pretty bad things.

Please take time to reflect on how good your life is and how fortunate you are to have been called this this vocation. No everyone can do what you do. That is why firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, police officers and all who provide public safety are so revered. Under the worst conditions, when everyone else would turn away, you rush in to help. It's your nature... its your duty... it's your calling.

During this holiday season, pause, give thanks to God for all your blessings, and thank those around you for standing by you in the good times and the bad times. Your support system (family and friends) is so incredibly important. Don't forget to let them know that. Merry Christmas to you all... and to all a good and fire safe night.

Richard B. Gasaway, PhD, EFO, CFO
www.RichGasaway.com

Automatic aid can improve firefighter safety

I am hearing more and more about fire departments entering into mutual aid and automatic aid agreements. There are many reasons why this makes good sense. The first and most important reason I can think of is improved firefighter safety. If additional resources are dispatched from a neighboring department at the same time your department is dispatched then it stands to reasons the delay in their arrival will be reduced significantly. This can improve firefighter safety. By increasing the number of firefighters on the scene, the stress and strain on everyone is reduced. Simply stated there are more people to share the workload. An automatic aid department can also serve as your rapid intervention team/crew.

Depending in the size of your community and the proximity of the neighboring department's station(s), there is a risk the neighboring department could arrive at the fire before your department does. Short of bruising the ego of your firefighters, I struggle to see the downside of having the closest and quickest fire department arrive first.

The mission of all fire department is to reduce the loss of life and property while ensuring the safety of the firefighters. Automatic aid will help you achieve your mission.

Richard B. Gasaway, PhD, EFO, CFO
www.RichGasaway.com

Finding the good in a bad economy

We are officially in a recession. Now what? Companies are laying off record numbers of workers. Now what? State and local governments are predicting huge deficits. Now what?

As tax revenues decline, local governments will be forced to reduce budgets. This can result in significant challenges to the providers of local government services, especially those who provide essential services.

Fire departments who have done the same thing the same way for a long period of time may find it difficult to find creative solutions in these difficult times. However difficult it it may be, fire department leaders must break out of the "that's the way we've always done it" mold and think creatively. I know of no vocation that is required to be more creative on a regular basis than the fire service. However, you are used to solving other people's problems and this time the problem is yours.

It is harder to solve a problem when you are emotionally attached to it. No fire department wants to cut any services that dedicated personnel have worked so hard to provide. No fire department wants to see members receive a pay raise that does not keep pace with inflation. No fire department wants to merge with a neighboring department and risk giving up their identity. But all these things are on the table.

Challenging economic times like these do not create character, but such times will expose the character of your members and challenge your leadership. I encourage you to be strong, principled, rational, and above all else, open-minded as you look for innovative ways to weather this stormy economy.

Richard B. Gasaway, PhD, EFO, CFO
http://www.richgasaway.com/

The signs and symptoms of pride

As I get the occasion to visit fire departments I can tell so much about the department just by visiting their fire station and looking around. The signs and symptoms of their pride (or lack of) are all around for me to see. Little things tell so much. Clean trucks, clean floors, clean restrooms, empty trash cans, clean gear neatly stored... all signs and symptoms. What magazines are on the tables? Are they fire/rescue journals? Or are they periodicals on topics completely unrelated to fire/rescue? What's posted on the bulletin board? Messages about firefighter safety and upcoming training? Or classified ads from firefighters trying to sell an old car or motorcycle? How are the firefighters dressed? Nearly every day firefighters are going to get an opportunity to make a first impression on someone. Impression begins with "impress." Are your firefighters dressed to impress? Are the firefighters friendly and welcoming?

Think about how you judge a fast food restaurant. You want the restaurant to be clean and orderly and the staff to be kind and professional. So it is for fire/rescue services too.

Richard B. Gasaway, PhD, EFO, CFO
http://www.richgasaway.com/

Dr. Gasaway Recipient of International Research Award

Dr. Gasaway Research on Situation Awareness Wins International Research Award

Roseville (MN) Fire Chief Richard B. Gasaway, PhD, was selected as the recipient of the prestigious FIRE/W. L. Gore Research Excellence Award at the 2008 Fire Related Research & Developments Conference held November 12-13 at the British Fire Service College in Moreton In Marsh, Gloucestershire, England.

The award was based on conference organizers evaluations of 32 research presentation submissions on topics related to fire and emergency services. Gasaway’s research paper and presentation were titled Fireground Command Decision Making: Understanding the Barriers Challenging Commander Situation Awareness. The presentation was based on scientific research Gasaway conducted to help improve the safety of firefighters operating at the scenes of emergencies.

“In light of the exceptional group of talented researchers who presented at this year’s conference, I am incredibly honored to have been selected for this award,” Dr. Gasaway stated. “An award of this stature serves as a vindication that my research has value20to firefighters in America and around the world. Thank you to the Fire Journal and W. L. Gore for their sponsorship and to the panel who selected my work for this recognition.”

Dr. Gasaway is a Firehouse.com contributor and host of The Leader’s Toolbox podcast program. Gasaway is considered to be one of the nation9 9s leading fire service authorities on the topic of fireground situation awareness and fireground command decision making under stress. This research has been adapted into a national firefighter safety program called Fifty Ways to Kill Your Brother©. The research has also been published in a book that is available on his website, http://www.richgasaway.com/. If you would like more information about his research endeavors or to inquire about a program presentation, you can reach Dr. Gasaway at RBG3100@aol.com.