Here are some thoughts that resulted from wandering around McCormick Convention Center in Chicago during the 2010 edition of Fire-Rescue International (FRI), the annual conference of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC).
In the 26 years that I have attended what was then known as the IAFC annual conference, there has been an unbelievable transformation of the event. Most of the changes are for the good, but there are times that I wish for the “good old days.”
The show has gotten so large with so many good things going on that you can only scratch the surface of the many learning opportunities that exist. This includes the exhibits where the volume and variety are beyond what one could imagine. You need a very good plan if you are to see the products that are of interest to you and also leave time to participate in the other activities. As I left the conference, I thought that I missed way more than I took in.
The exhibit floor is loaded with products and ideas that can help improve your individual and department performance. You cannot help but notice the variety of products that are an indication of the vast services provided by today’s fire service. If average citizens knew the potential of their fire departments based upon the products offered, they would be amazed at the transformation of this vital service into organizations that are prepared to handle virtually any emergency that could happen – from the day-to-day responses of fire and EMS to the remote possibility of a terrorist attack.
Economic Importance
The vendors and manufacturers have done an excellent job of adapting to the challenges facing fire departments. Virtually all of the items on display are designed to improve performance. The people working the booths are more than happy to share their expertise and take the time needed for you to understand their product or service. If there is not enough time at the show, they are willing to follow up after you return home.
The magnitude of the show and the number of vendors demonstrate the importance of the fire service to the nation’s economy. There are a lot of jobs that are tied to the fire service, directly and indirectly. You must wonder what the future impact will be if there is a continuation of the recession and more budget cuts to local government.
Fire departments are players in the economy and stimulate spending and growth. With most municipalities facing shrinking revenues, you can only speculate what the impact on many vendors would have been without the federal grant programs. Though not part of the much larger and notorious stimulus package, Fire Act grants have been crucial in keeping many in the fire service and its vendors afloat.
As the recession continues, the effect on the fire and emergency service grows. Most fire departments are seeing cutbacks. Firefighters are facing layoffs and reductions in pay and benefits. Fire departments are being demonized by some as a drain on local resources and are not valued as assets to communities. It is fashionable to attack those who work in the business as overpaid and underworked.
However, if everyone could see the dedication and commitment of those in attendance in Chicago, they might change their opinion. Those who participated in FRI did so to improve their own capabilities and those of their organizations. They are hardly the slackers that are often portrayed in the many blogs that have popped up. These dedicated professionals are committed to improving the quality of life in their communities. They are passionate about their work and are willing to share with other professionals. When you are surrounded by people of this caliber, you can get very angry when the service is attacked.
Truly Committed
The social networking at conferences is just as important as the general sessions, the workshops and the time spent on the exhibit floor. The opportunities to learn from others and also build upon relationships will help you continue to grow as a professional. This also applies to relationships with the vendors. So many of them are as passionate about the fire service as firefighters and are truly committed to excellent service.
There is so much to learn from successful people in the private sector. Spending time with them provides insight as to why they are successful and why they would be in virtually any business that they choose. Knowing more of their qualities and characteristics can help you improve. Including them in your network can only be of benefit.
While I am certainly biased in thinking that those in and around the fire service are the cream of the crop in society and have special attributes, there are things that occur that remind us that we have similarities to the general population. We consider what we do just part of the routine and are smitten with celebrities just like everyone else. How else can you explain that the lines to get a picture with Erik Estrada, of TV’s CHiPS fame more than 25 years ago, was longer that the one to meet the winners of this year’s Medal of Valor Award sponsored by Motorola. If you listened to the story of the rescue made by members of the Kauai (Hawaii) Fire Department, you would know how special these firefighters are. Perhaps someday we will make true “stars” of those who do extraordinary things on a routine basis.
Firefighter safety continues to make strides. Maybe the efforts of many are starting to take hold and are really having an impact on the culture within the fire service. Safety was a big part of the discussions being held and was prominent in workshops and meetings, starting with the opening general session. Dr. Tony Kern, a leading authority on human performance, hit the nail on the head with his presentation. Firefighting can still be aggressive, and we can still keep our commitment to the public to do our best, but we can reduce our risks by paying attention to detail every time and fight complacency. “Everyone Goes Home” is not just a slogan, but the main goal of every call.
There are times when I wonder if being in the fire service is all that it is cracked up to be. Funding issues, attacks on the character of those in the fire service, questions as to the value of fire departments to their communities, whether or not we are assets or liabilities and other issues seem to have taken over. However, attendance at a quality show like FRI restores the energy and reminds you of the noble calling of this profession.
There are so many dedicated and passionate people who could have retired to some more relaxing pastime or could just do their job from “9 to 5.” But that wouldn’t be the fire service that I have come to know. I am grateful to all who are committed to improving our profession – the firefighters, officers, vendors and other related professionals. This is still the greatest job in the world.
Editor’s Note: Richard Marinucci is chief of the Northville Township (Mich.) Fire Department. He retired as chief of the Farmington Hills (Mich.) Fire Department in 2008, a position he had held since 1984. He is a past president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and past chairman of the Commission on Chief Fire Officer Designation. In 1999 he served as acting chief operating officer of the U.S. Fire Administration for seven months. He holds three bachelor’s degrees in fire science and administration and has taught extensively.
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