Dave Connor is a retired career command fire chief with an OSI. He developed this piece to help rookies on their first day at the job or location, particularly if they are first responders. It includes tips such as listening for the sound of the tires when arriving at work, setting high expectations, being reliable, exercising, managing stress, and being grateful for the good days and the bad days. It also emphasizes that 40% of people have mental health concerns and that everyone is on their own journey. Be a positive, healthy presence in a group, such as by being patient with people who are struggling to communicate, being supportive of senior members of the team, picking up packaging from medical supplies, turning off the stovetop and making sure there's water in the dog bowl, and following training and protocols.

It is their story, not yours, and it is their outcome. We often personalize incidents as if we had control over them, but this is unhealthy magical thinking. To be responsible, ask yourself if you followed your training and were a positive presence. Do a quick box breath before going inside, hold your head still, and move your eyes to the 3 o'clock position to reset the vagus nerve. Listen for the chunk" sound when leaving the property to remind yourself that work is behind you and life is in front.

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