Perspective and what we focus on influences our outcomes.  As a technician, when a clock doesn’t work, we take it apart and look for that thing, the bad piece, the “bad apple” in the bunch.  We pride ourselves on quickly finding the problem and fixing the clock.  The greater picture, however, might be much more complex than is immediately apparent, much the way the formation of a cloud is many dynamic forces coming together, which ultimately create rain in the sky or a life-changing hurricane.  How we approach our work, looking for that one “bad apple” thing (clocks) or analyzing the big picture forces in a dynamic environment (clouds) will dictate our outcomes.     

Number One Volunteer Fire Department, Gallatin TN, pumper. Saber cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; UPF Poly 750-gallon tank.

Angola (IN) Fire Department pumper. Monarch cab and chassis; Cummins ISL 450-hp engine; Hale Qmax 1,500-gpm pump; Pro Poly 750-gallon polypropylene tank.

South Bend (IN) Fire Department top-mount pumpers (2). Commander 4000 cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engines; Waterous S100C20 1,250-gpm pumps.