Coming from District 3
Coming from District 3! I sincerely hope all of you are well. Daily, I learn something new about one of our brothers or sisters. Some good and some bad! There are many of us here to help however we can. I try to reach out as I learn things. There are times I am unaware, but I have faith that those who know will do what they can to help. That is another testament to our Missouri fire service.
Most of us have heard the saying, “What is in your toolbox?” The importance of knowing what is in your toolbox, where it is, and how you can use it in specific situations is crucial for success in an emergency. As we are onboarding new members and even members with many years of experience, it can be a challenge to know where our tools are and how they function. Maybe I am the only one that has experienced this.
Do you understand your toolbox? The tools we have are generally what we find works best in our situations. I find it imperative that the tools we have serves the communities needs. To accomplish this, we must know those needs. We must get out in the community to pre-plan and use previous incidents to help build your tool list. Where does your list start? As we review items that likely need to be on your list, I start with safety. My tool list simply starts with my bunker gear. It is our responsibility to make sure our tools are in proper working order. Arriving on-scene is not the time to identify a problem with our tools. As we train, we must train on how to mitigate arising issues on the scene. Are we capable of adapting and overcoming the problem? Do I have another tool I can use instead? Adequate training can play a key role in your adaptability. How well do you know your toolbox?
Are you utilizing your toolbox? Most of us are fortunate enough to have adequate tools allowing us to perform the best we can. As we collect items to fill our toolbox, we should use those tools. It does not do much good if we have all the items, but they never get deployed. In training, we train ourselves to know when and how to use the tools. Is that the only time we allow ourselves to utilize the tools? I have been guilty of this, especially on ‘routine calls.’ Our department challenge is, that we do not have routine calls. This may sound simple and some may disagree; however, if we wait until a low-frequency high-risk call comes in, we will not be ready and will underperform. When we are placed in these situations, we must use the tools we have. Deploy your tools often!
On a different note, Winter Fire School was a success for us. We were able to send thirteen members, and I have heard many positive comments. As the virtual class ended on Sunday, I started receiving text messages and a few phone calls asking if we could do what we just learned. My response was, “Absolutely, we can!” I felt more excited than they did from their excitement of wanting to better themselves. Thank you MU FRTI!
I wish to recognize the Madison-West Monroe Fire Department in its efforts to better serve its citizens and members. Madison is setting an example of what can be done with limited resources through their training. What you are doing is being noticed. Great job!
If we look back on our time in the fire service, we can identify a few things that stand out the most to us. Maybe an accomplishment or something you get to witness unfold. My Wife joined the fire department about two years ago. She is fortunate enough to have been around the fire service all her life and learn from many wonderful people. The energy she puts into learning the role of an active member is unmatched. As she learns, she always takes time to help new members. It is a pleasure to be part of her endeavor.
In closing, if there is anything District 3 can help anyone with, we will give it our best effort. Please stay safe and I hope to see you at the Convention.
FFAM
