Please Suck Less

Training is key to being your best. Unfortunately training academies have moved away from class A burn buildings and towards propane fueled fires with fake smoke. We are not preparing the new firefighters for real fires. Burn rooms are just empty rooms with no obstacles to contend with. The fires are always in the same place every time. Acquired structures to burn in are becoming a thing of the past, and we are letting citizens and politicians dictate the type of training we can do, yet they demand the best from us without giving us the tools to be the best. It is time to take back training and make our firefighters great. Be better, Do better and Suck Less.

Do you know people who think they know more than they do? We all know people like this. In public safety these people can be dangerous to the employees, the public and the organization.

There is a term called the Dunning Kruger effect. This effect is people who have limited competence in a particular domain and overestimate their abilities. This means they think they are good, but they suck.

Recognize your short comings and as a leader. If you can't do this, you will eventually be exposed a fraud.

Suck Less Do Better!

Have you ever said to yourself "this meeting could have been in an email." How do we learn? I believe the fire department is behind the times. Are you still required to get in your car and drive to your academy to sit in a classroom while the instructor reads PowerPoint slides? COVID taught us we can learn virtually, so why aren't we doing this in the fire service? We need to change with the times and explore new options of teaching and learning.

How is morale in your department? Do you even know? if your the boss it is you job to know what is going on in the department. Be a good communicator, let the people know whats going on. Be transparent and never lie. Great morale breeds great fire service delivery.

Do you know people who just seem mad at everything on the job. Nothing is ever good. The get fixated on thing that can't be changed overnight. They are constantly bitching about thing they can't control, to the point that it affects their job. These people can tear a shift apart.

Challenge these people get them to explain why they are so angry all the time. At the end of the day, it may be time for those people to move on from the shift or the job all together.

Don't let negativity seep into you work environment. We have the best job in the world. Approach the job with you best attitude.

In the fire service when the firefighters are not performing it is the Lieutenants and Captains fault. If the line officers suck it is the fault of the Battalion Chiefs fault and the fault continues up to the chief. The same is true for the civilian world. This is called the chain of suck.

Hold your people accountable set the example and provide expectations.

Don't allow your people to only point out problems. Set a rule that no employee can point out problems or complain if they don't offer solutions. Your people must have the confidence to make decisions and offer solutions. Support their ideas and encourage them to speak up.

Just because some people are not into the job like you are does not make them bad employees. Some don't eat and breath the job like you are. Don't compare someone else to your views. Look at their performance on the job, you will find they are every bit as good as you.

SUCK LESS DO BETTER

Health care workers in Maryland are not protected from assault like first responders. The blame for this lack of protection rests squarely on the shoulders of the elected politicians. It is no secret that some of the dumbest people represent us on the state and federal level. The citizens deserve so much better. Use your vote wisely and don't just give you vote to a candidate just because they have a D or and R next to their name. It is way past time for elected officials to work for the people. Stop Sucking and Do Better!

As a firefighter and/or an officer. you need to take you position seriously. This means on the fire ground. If you are the Rapid Intervention Company you take that task seriously. Full PPE SCBA and tools.

If you are in the station make sure the apparatus is checked and clean. All your tools need to be clean and ready to go. The station must be clean (bathrooms, loung, engine room, kitchen...)

Volunteer leaders you are responsible to make sure your station is in good working order. If you plumbing is crap get it fixed. if something is broken or does not work get it fixed. It is your house take care of it.

Don't be lazy do your job and stop SUCKING!

Do you work with employees who suck? We all do. How come they keep their jobs and the good employees leave because they are fed up. If your a manager or work in HR, pay attention to whats going on. Morale is in the toilet and you can't be bothered to fix the problems. You lose enough good people and you could be next.

Stop Sucking do your job!

You say you take care of your people, but your people know it is Bull $h!T. if you did take care of them they would not be leaving and or trash talking you and the company. Take the time to appreciate the people who work hard and care about the job.

Take time out of your day to meet the people face to face and tell them thanks for the work they do. Buy them breakfast or lunch or both. A little goes a long way. Letting your employees know you truly care makes the work environment better. If you don't, your employees will be less productive or may leave altogether and, in the end, you too may be looking for a new job.