Many of us are drawn to this work in pursuit of intensity. Our life outside the job is often just a different flavor of intensity (not always in a healthy way). Our emotional struggles aren’t always directly associated with the job. But aspects of our profession complicate our ability to effectively tackle these types of issues—regardless of their origin.
Ground Truths
Travis Dotson skillfully and repeatedly points out the “Elephant in the Room” (of our Fire Culture) consistently generating dialogue amongst firefighters in the Ground Truths section of the Two More Chains articles. Enjoy!
You are the Example
Without realizing it, you might already be leading. Eventually you're going to have to deal with the behavior you've modeled.
Be Nice
Our fireline social structure is just a scrambled version of high school. But in this environment the consequences of that behavior are drastically more severe—like your buddy in a casket severe. Communication is essential. Be nice.
Same Team
We often make sense of what happened by investing in the hope that our experience can be helpful to others.
Cracking the Code
As a Korean woman on a shot crew, part of my code-switching strategy was to appear a little less feminine and more masculine.
Dirt Currency
[This is Travis Dotson's “Ground Truths” column that appeared in the 2021 Spring Issue of Two More Chains.] By Travis Dotson Have you recently been part of a who’s gonna get that job discussion? It amazes me how much we love this particular prattle. We spend many minutes gaming out the probable outcome of various … Continue reading Dirt Currency
The Repeats
Please resist the urge to use Bad Math, which goes like this: “This one thing happened and then this other thing happened, so I will make a random correlation and spout some overused catchphrase (‘They lost SA’) as if it were an actual solution and expect people to listen because I have a belt buckle.”
Smug and Satisfied
We are not “a special breed” or uniquely tough or deserving of anything extra—especially not a cape. Falling down the hero hole will halt your growth.
The Problem with LCES
Here is the deal. You damn sure ought to use LCES for all of your operations. But under no circumstances should you use it as proof that you are safe. Nothing we do is safe.
Hot Water
[This is the "Ground Truths" from the Spring 2020 Issue of Two More Chains.] Hot Water By Travis Dotson Recently, I was prompted to ask myself “Who do I want to be during this pandemic?” I immediately recalled one of many staff ride integrations I have been so fortunate to experience. (If you have yet … Continue reading Hot Water