For more than a decade, people have referenced “Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action,” by speaker and author Simon Sinek, for creating personal and organizational mission statements. Sinek’s words push us to slow down and ask the difficult question of “why?”—whether as an individual or as an organization—and his concepts are something that we should revisit in today’s fast-paced world.
With communities scrutinizing public safety organizations over budgets and services provided and with recruitment/retention efforts continuing to plague a noble position in every community, some communities are questioning why they “pay so much” for a fire department when there are fewer fires. Even in smaller communities where they raise funds to protect their citizens, departments face scrutiny. Yet, do the citizens really understand the costs of equipment, training and why they have “so many fire trucks?”
Many people who don’t have to call 9-1-1 don’t fully grasp what the fire department provides to the community—particularly those who are served by departments that are truly all-hazards response agencies. Furthermore, those who call after passing an accident scene or house fire don’t see the chain of events from extrication or fire victim rescue (and suppression) to patient care to the victim leaving the hospital, thanks to the initial actions of the fire department. Those who call 9-1-1 for an ongoing situation (I’m not referring to repeat 9-1-1 callers) know that they can trust firefighters to mitigate the situation, even if isn’t a true emergency, and they don’t ask the why—but the neighbors who are observing from their front steps could ask why three emergency vehicles responded for someone who is having chest pains.
When it comes to seeking funding and resource support at the local, regional and national levels, fire departments must explain why they are in need of money—and this has been the case even before the costs of apparatus, equipment and fuel skyrocketed. However, as people want to hold everyone accountable for everything—and I understand why transparency and trust are a challenge today—the effort to procure vital equipment is questioned over and over.
Departments must work to educate their community, and social media is a great tool. Firehouse Friday, Fire Truck Tuesday and/or What We Wear Wednesday posts are great opportunities to share your why, ahead of the request for resources. Furthermore, answering the why isn’t just for times when money is needed. The ability to raise awareness of fire health threats is just as important as why departments do what they do.
When it comes to recruitment and retention of today’s career and volunteer ranks, are you prepared to answer the myriad of whys, including regarding the application process, the steps to prepare to get onto the roles, the positive and negative effects on the health and wellness of firefighters?
German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche wrote, “He who has a ‘why’ to live for can bear almost any ‘how’.” Are you able to answer your personal and organizational whys?
Valor Nominations Sought
Firehouse Magazine is currently are looking to highlight the members of your department who went above and beyond in 2022 during fire and rescue operations and nonsuppression efforts to keep members of the community safe from fire and injury.
Submissions are sought for the Michael O. McNamee Award of Valor for individual firefighters and crews who were involved in the rescue of civilians or fellow firefighters and for those whose decisions saved lives from peril. The Thomas Carr Community Service Award recognizes individuals or groups that strive to protect the community outside of emergency responses, including public outreach about fire safety and health and safety as well addressing other concerns in the community.
Nominations close April 28. You can find the form at Firehouse.com/valor.
