“We deserve whatever we can get,” is not a reasonable answer to reasonable remuneration for firefighters. The dangers of the job do not justify additional pay; they demand a well-trained and engaged work force that practices what it preaches.
Archive of the Mark Chubb Category
‘What Next?’ Not ‘Why Us?’
Practice Makes Perfect
For decades, American school children have practiced fire drills as often as monthly to ensure they react safely and swiftly in the event of fire. The fire code requirements mandating these exercises stemmed from disasters that claimed dozens of young lives and remain in effect despite — if not because of — the fact so few have perished in similar circumstances since they took effect.
Civic Engagement Continuum
Since Alan Brunacini wrote the Essentials of Fire Department Customer Service in 1996, fire and emergency services agencies have engaged in vigorous discussions about ways to add value to their service by focusing on “Mrs. Smith.”
D’Oh: Simpsons Satire Hits Close to Home
Has the fire service become just another vocal, disaffected self-interest group? Are we signaling the community that we not only deserve their respect but also demand rewards for our service beyond reasonable compensation for our labor and expenses? What does our behavior say about our values?
Less is More
The fire service could learn a lot from modernist architects, who deconstructed and renewed architecture by focusing on its essential purpose: making buildings work for people. How could we make the fire service work better for our communities?
