Chris Mc Loone

I was part of a couple of conversations recently that revolved around apparatus designs and the different technologies available to us as we spec the rigs we’re going to be using for the next 15 to 20 years - and sometimes longer.

As many of these conversations do, they turned to our younger firefighters and how they operate, how they communicate, and how they learn. As you might expect when older generations are talking about a younger one, the dialog can, at times, become slightly negative. I think the negativity stems from frustration. For example, there is a completely different way of communicating today than even 15 years ago. One person mentioned that the kitchen table at the fire station isn’t the same as it was years ago. It used to be that the kitchen table was where you went to solve problems, to discuss tactics, and to strengthen comradery. It is different now, and for those who came up through the ranks communicating in such a fashion, it can be frustrating figuring out how to transition. But, as we all learn, different is not necessarily bad. I mean, who cares how we communicate as long as we communicate?

As the conversation wore on, we got into apparatus committees and how they are made up. Every fire department is going to assemble truck committees differently than others. Some will only be company officers and chief officers. Hopefully, they all include a member from Fleet to advise about how different designs will impact maintenance and out-of-service time. But we also discussed how critical it is to ensure that younger firefighters are also on these committees - for a couple of reasons.

First, their perspectives are key. We’re building trucks that probably will outlast our time in the fire service. These trucks are for them, and we need to ensure that they are usable for the men and women presently coming up through the ranks. Second, there’s a bit of a gap right now between experienced apparatus specifiers and those who will be taking over. This is the fire service - where senior firefighters “bring up” the rookies and show them the ropes so they will become better firefighters now and excellent senior firefighters later. We should be doing the same for future apparatus purchasing committee members. Be open to what they have to say, and show them the ropes.

This month is FDIC International 2017. In North America, you won’t find a larger showcase of apparatus and equipment. When you make your plans to go as a group, walk the floor with younger firefighters. Watch and listen to them. If it’s appropriate, sure, bring up a story from time to time about how we did it in the old days. But pay attention to what’s getting interest from your 20 and 30 somethings. Mark items down. These are the folks who are going to be using these things years down the line. Most of all, listen to them. Listen to what they are saying to each other about a certain feature and why they think it is so important. Don’t be afraid to ask what they feel will help them do their jobs better.

I am not particularly mechanically inclined - never have been, never will be. It’s not for lack of trying. It’s just not my particular skillset. One comment from these discussions was that the current recruit classes are tech savvy but not mechanical. In many cases, this might be true. But, is it a negative? The way rigs are built today, does it pay to be more mechanical or more tech savvy? As with most things, a good mix of both is optimal, but leaning more toward the tech savvy side may be the way to go. Throw out a problem to a group

Chris Mc Loone

I was part of a couple of conversations recently that revolved around apparatus designs and the different technologies available to us as we spec the rigs we’re going to be using for the next 15 to 20 years - and sometimes longer.

As many of these conversations do, they turned to our younger firefighters and how they operate, how they communicate, and how they learn. As you might expect when older generations are talking about a younger one, the dialog can, at times, become slightly negative. I think the negativity stems from frustration. For example, there is a completely different way of communicating today than even 15 years ago. One person mentioned that the kitchen table at the fire station isn’t the same as it was years ago. It used to be that the kitchen table was where you went to solve problems, to discuss tactics, and to strengthen comradery. It is different now, and for those who came up through the ranks communicating in such a fashion, it can be frustrating figuring out how to transition. But, as we all learn, different is not necessarily bad. I mean, who cares how we communicate as long as we communicate?

As the conversation wore on, we got into apparatus committees and how they are made up. Every fire department is going to assemble truck committees differently than others. Some will only be company officers and chief officers. Hopefully, they all include a member from Fleet to advise about how different designs will impact maintenance and out-of-service time. But we also discussed how critical it is to ensure that younger firefighters are also on these committees - for a couple of reasons.

First, their perspectives are key. We’re building trucks that probably will outlast our time in the fire service. These trucks are for them, and we need to ensure that they are usable for the men and women presently coming up through the ranks. Second, there’s a bit of a gap right now between experienced apparatus specifiers and those who will be taking over. This is the fire service - where senior firefighters “bring up” the rookies and show them the ropes so they will become better firefighters now and excellent senior firefighters later. We should be doing the same for future apparatus purchasing committee members. Be open to what they have to say, and show them the ropes.

This month is FDIC International 2017. In North America, you won’t find a larger showcase of apparatus and equipment. When you make your plans to go as a group, walk the floor with younger firefighters. Watch and listen to them. If it’s appropriate, sure, bring up a story from time to time about how we did it in the old days. But pay attention to what’s getting interest from your 20 and 30 somethings. Mark items down. These are the folks who are going to be using these things years down the line. Most of all, listen to them. Listen to what they are saying to each other about a certain feature and why they think it is so important. Don’t be afraid to ask what they feel will help them do their jobs better.

I am not particularly mechanically inclined - never have been, never will be. It’s not for lack of trying. It’s just not my particular skillset. One comment from these discussions was that the current recruit classes are tech savvy but not mechanical. In many cases, this might be true. But, is it a negative? The way rigs are built today, does it pay to be more mechanical or more tech savvy? As with most things, a good mix of both is optimal, but leaning more toward the tech savvy side may be the way to go. Throw out a problem to a group

By Bill Adams

The other day I was reading about the seven cardinal sins. They’re an assemblage of traits good people of faith should not embrace. They include excessive pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. That pretty much describes the Raisin Squad at morning coffee. (The most dangerous place in the firehouse kitchen is between a white hair and a box of donuts. It can get ugly.) Cardinal means fundamental or basic. It has nothing to do with religion. The only time religion is discussed in the firehouse is when an old timer occasionally thanks the good Lord he got up on the right side of the grass. We’re always discussing “happenings” in the fire service that are downright aggravating. Harry says they’re sinful. 

I tried to steer the conversations toward apparatus design, but they kept going back to the first-due engine. Bear in mind that these geezers are talking about “stuff” they’ve seen in person and on television, heard on their scanners, read in the papers and magazines, and observed on the Internet (for the few who’ve mastered computers). I tried playing devil’s advocate, defending the first-due engine crews. It didn’t work. And, we couldn’t limit ourselves to just seven. Some include the following, with the Squad’s comments in italics: 

• TAKING THE WRONG RIG: Why did they roll that one first? Maybe their first due is out of service. No it ain’t; I heard it respond later. Maybe it wouldn’t start. I doubt it. I think someone’s making up the rules as they go. They got a running order; they ought to follow it. 
• NOT WAITING FOR A CREW: Did you hear that? They left with only two guys on the rig. Well, maybe they’re running light on manpower. Nope; the other rigs hit the road pretty quick. They probably got a bunch of young guys that only want to drive. What the hell are they going to do when three trucks show up with just drivers? 
• GOING THE WRONG WAY: That’s BS. It screws everything up. I realize the chief expects apparatus to arrive in a set sequence from specific directions, but sometimes it doesn’t happen. There’s no excuse. What about a road closure or an accident blocking the street? That’s different—I’m talking about when the driver decides to go his own way or the wrong way. I expect the driver will hear about it later. Not if he’s one of the “good ole boys.
• NOT LAYING IN: Boy – their chief was ticked off. Their pumper got there with a worker and was screaming for someone to lay them a line. Well, maybe they didn’t see anything on the way in. It don’t matter—it came in as a building fire and their SOP is for the first rig to lay in. They might have been low on manpower. It still don’t matter; the driver could’ve wrapped the plug and got back on the rig. 
• PARK IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE: Did you see that fire on TV? The pumper parked right in front; they didn’t leave room for the ladder truck. Well, maybe there wasn’t anything showing when they got there. So what? Rules are rules. You always leave the front of the house clear for the ladder. What if they don’t have a ladder truck? Don’t split hairs. 
• DON’T CALL FOR HELP: I listened to them on the radio. They were there for 20 minu