The Fire Service perpetually stands at the threshold of change. Anyone who has studied fire service history would agree that change is not a new phenomenon. Most would agree as to the uncertainty of the change that may occur and would further agree that in the next decade or so the change will be far reaching. Such change will manifest itself in an array of services that are much different from what we know today.
This change will be the result of a whole gamut of technological, social and environmental forces, and in the midst of that whole process will be you - the firefighter. You may feel put upon, disillusioned or even confused by the myriad of concepts such as total compartmentalization, pressurized stairwells, non-toxic construction, fire safe cigarettes, full service suppression reaction, etc. You may be prodded or cajoled into following guidelines of OSHA, NIOSH, EPA, NFPA, and others while never ever knowing who is right or why.
When the alarm sounds most if not all theory must ultimately rely on the individual firefighter's knowledge, skill and ability to act or react efficiently. Over thirty years ago former Fire Chief T.A. McGaughey admonished and inspired a group of young recruit firefighters with these words:
"Fire and other emergencies can be controlled or managed only while good leadership is combined with loyal and well trained personnel.
The firefighter who is ambitious, honest and loyal; who takes the pride in his job and in his department; who realizes his future depends largely upon his own efforts. Will train and study diligently to master the vast store of firefighter knowledge available to him, and become a good firefighter, a capable leader, and a credit to himself, his department and his community."
Has anything really changed?
THE WICHITA FIRE DEPARTMENT
Larry D. Garcia, Fire Chief