District 3
Ask yourself how many times you have said, “that isn’t my job!” Now come on, we probably all have. For one reason or another, we all get frustrated and have said things that we feel will fix our frustrations. Isn’t it usually just a temporary fix though? What does it even mean? You are not capable? Is someone else not doing their job? Do you want to be passed over for promotion? Is someone simply holding a position? You could do the job, but you won’t? Take your pick as to what it means.
Now ask yourself, when you decided to enter the profession you did, did you ever think it would or wouldn’t be your job? Did you have goals at that time? Of course, you did!
If you are saying this, ask yourself why? Our jobs are very hard, and some expect perfection 100% of the time. We are human and humans make mistakes. As the old saying goes, it’s what you do with your mistake that matters. Did we learn from it? Did it break you? Pick your feet up and learn what to do to fix it and move forward! Hold yourself accountable to hold others accountable.
Accountability, in my opinion, should go both ways. Top to bottom, bottom to top. If you are at the top of the chain of command, have you ever blamed someone lower than you for a task not being done appropriately? Or, at the bottom of the chain of command and blamed someone higher than you for the same? If so, you have lost your self-accountability and the right to hold someone else accountable.
At times we carry a sense of entitlement. I’ve seen this across the industry of fire and EMS services. What exactly are you entitled to? Carrying a badge? With that badge comes a sense of responsibility. With that responsibility is your entitlement. Do your job! If that is not something you can do, learn it. Ask for help. Nobody said you had to have answers for everything. If learning is not something you can do, the badge is likely for decoration. Yes, it sounds harsh but is a sense of reality.
When we signed up to do our job, we became responsible to be the best we can be for all people. Take this as far as you want for who you want, citizens, co-workers, bosses, yourself, etc. I am proud to admit, I am guilty of some of the above-stated behavior. I take personal responsibility for it, but I also take responsibility to do something about it. I generally start by asking myself if I could have done better before I move my thoughts to someone or something else. Honestly, along with attempting to learn many personalities, it’s the hardest thing I’ve endured in my career. Often, the answer does not magically appear. I have built a network of strong leaders to communicate with. I have not always agreed with them, but they are capable honest leaders. They are leaders that took the responsibility to hold me accountable because, at some point, they were going to be accountable. They did their job, and we must do ours! Be forward thinkers for your people and allow for positive change.
No matter your rank, allow yourself to hold yourself accountable. Don’t treat people as if they work for you, rather they work with you. It could be your job!
I am grateful to be part of Missouri’s fire and EMS services. Every day I watch many of you put 100% effort into making yourself better, preparing for what could be next. It is truly an amazing thing to watch. As our world changes, there is none more relentless than the people in our great state trying to do right. We should all be proud. This is our job! Stay safe!
FFAM
