Posted: Dec 20, 2017
chief concerns richard marinucci
As I write this, we are in the middle of the football season. Talking to family and friends who have an interest, whether college or professional, they all seem to have an opinion as to how the season will end for teams and individuals.
For example, a couple of friends a few weeks ago were ready to award the Heisman Trophy to a couple of players. The performance on the field left them ready to change their choices. They were responding to some of the hype, their past experiences, some of their observations of games, and maybe what they heard from others. In many ways, trying to prognosticate, regardless of the topic, is much like this. You listen to the hype, call on your past, watch what is happening, and talk to your network. It is from this perspective that we try our best to see into the future.
Looking Outside the Fire Service
There are things that will happen that are out of our control. It can be because of others outside the industry who make decisions on seemingly unrelated issues. It could be the result of natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes. There can be political decisions that create situations and issues. When thinking about this, the best approach is to get outside of your profession and see what is happening outside of your world. You can do this by reading and watching. It will also help to have people in your network outside of the fire service. Things that they know in their industry or circle of knowledge may have applications in your work. You may need to think, use your imagination, or translate from their language to yours. Regardless, clues as to what may lie ahead can be found outside the fire service.
Look to Leadership
Another way to view the future is to look at the elements that are within your control so you can help to create what comes next. Leadership can often create a path. Leaders do this through their knowledge and ability to get followers. Those who truly are close to being the experts in their field have influence with others. They become experts through continual study, education, and making positive advances through experiential learning. In the end, they hold more sway because of their perceived position of authority gained through earning the respect of their peers and other professionals in their line of work.
Health and Wellness
If you are paying attention to the fire service, you will realize that there is a lot of attention being paid to firefighter health and wellness. Much of it is centered around the risks of the job and the increased likelihood of firefighters contracting cancer, either while still on the job or in retirement. Through the efforts of many, not only is awareness being raised, but potential solutions are being offered. Based on this observation, there will be continued work in this area in 2018 that will become even more encompassing. As more individuals and organizations work toward minimizing the impact of cancer on the fire service, there will be more acceptance of best practices and standardization that will have a positive effect on firefighter health and wellness.
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