I enjoy FDIC.
I enjoy the random mix of folks you meet. For example, I met the Director of Training of the Tokyo Fire Brigade just moments before having a pint with member of FDNY's 27 Truck. You meet all kinds.
All kinds.
Positive...and the random township firefighters, this year's "bad apples."
I have no idea if you are career or paid, nor do I care, but your attitude needs a serious adjustment.
When a fire service instructor, chosen by FDIC to present their topic, says something your limited experience disagrees with, that is an opportunity for learning, not for walking out.
I'm not going to share specifics, although I could because you were proudly wearing the T-shirt of your company (I wore a collared shirt, but you know, do what feels good I guess). The instructor made the offensive, at least to you, remark that some fires require a defensive stance.
Observers may have thought that the speaker asked to date your 8 year old sister.
"You don't know shit!" You mumbled in a voice loud enough for the entire room to hear.
Most of the 100-150 folks in attendance were shocked. You got up and the three of you walked out thinking you were the studs of the pen, marching back to your grand castle of righteousness. How wrong you were. Your actions spoke much more than your limited words. Instead of challenging the instructor on the merits of the point, you decided to show your inexperience and arrogance by walking out after a few mumbled comments about "real firemen" and "aggressive tactics."
I stayed. I learned.
You left. You lost.
If you're going to storm out in a huff when a seasoned, experienced and educated instructor challenges your limited experience, just stay at home for conferences. Or fire calls for that matter. Don't care if you're career or volunteer. If the facts challenge your limited experience, perhaps it is your experience that is wrong? If you disagree with an instructor, you have the following 3 options:
Please note that storming out in a huff is not on that list. Nor is disrespecting the instructor, audience and Fire Service as a whole by taking this action. Then again, you won't listen to me, I'm just a Medic. In addition, I'll likely see you making a fool of yourself on the town tonight, still in your Department's T-shirt, probably telling the bartender that she has a beautiful smile.
Real original.
If you take the time to seek out education, do me a favor:
GET EDUCATED!
If you're there for the party, start the day when the rest of us are out of class.
Humbly submitted,
Your Happy Medic
I enjoy the random mix of folks you meet. For example, I met the Director of Training of the Tokyo Fire Brigade just moments before having a pint with member of FDNY's 27 Truck. You meet all kinds.
All kinds.
Positive...and the random township firefighters, this year's "bad apples."
I have no idea if you are career or paid, nor do I care, but your attitude needs a serious adjustment.
When a fire service instructor, chosen by FDIC to present their topic, says something your limited experience disagrees with, that is an opportunity for learning, not for walking out.
I'm not going to share specifics, although I could because you were proudly wearing the T-shirt of your company (I wore a collared shirt, but you know, do what feels good I guess). The instructor made the offensive, at least to you, remark that some fires require a defensive stance.
Observers may have thought that the speaker asked to date your 8 year old sister.
"You don't know shit!" You mumbled in a voice loud enough for the entire room to hear.
Most of the 100-150 folks in attendance were shocked. You got up and the three of you walked out thinking you were the studs of the pen, marching back to your grand castle of righteousness. How wrong you were. Your actions spoke much more than your limited words. Instead of challenging the instructor on the merits of the point, you decided to show your inexperience and arrogance by walking out after a few mumbled comments about "real firemen" and "aggressive tactics."
I stayed. I learned.
You left. You lost.
If you're going to storm out in a huff when a seasoned, experienced and educated instructor challenges your limited experience, just stay at home for conferences. Or fire calls for that matter. Don't care if you're career or volunteer. If the facts challenge your limited experience, perhaps it is your experience that is wrong? If you disagree with an instructor, you have the following 3 options:
- Shut the Fuck up. Yes, I capitalized Fuck. Sit there and learn.
- Sit through the presentation, take notes and stay after to discuss your issues with the instructor.
- Present your own observations for consideration for presentation at FDIC, or any other conference for that matter.
Please note that storming out in a huff is not on that list. Nor is disrespecting the instructor, audience and Fire Service as a whole by taking this action. Then again, you won't listen to me, I'm just a Medic. In addition, I'll likely see you making a fool of yourself on the town tonight, still in your Department's T-shirt, probably telling the bartender that she has a beautiful smile.
Real original.
If you take the time to seek out education, do me a favor:
GET EDUCATED!
If you're there for the party, start the day when the rest of us are out of class.
Humbly submitted,
Your Happy Medic
Comments
I agree 100% with what you say in this article. However I disagree with how you generalized " Township Firefighters". If a spade is a spade then call them out! But don't put all township firefighters in the same category as these 3 bozos. I have witnessed Career and Volunteer firefighters all do stupid and embarrassing things. If their actions upset you that much maybe you should have contacted their department and spoke with their administration about their embarrassing behavior. All I ask is please don't put us all In the same category some of us have paid with our own money and took time off of our full time jobs to get educated and do not act like the three you spoke of so please don't generalize us.
Thank you,
An Educated Township Firefighter
1. Don't wear a department shirt while you're out getting plastered. Every firefighter becomes connected to those asses that wander downtown screaming and puking on the street. Better yet - Show the people of Indy and your colleagues that you are actually a professional and don't get plastered.
2. Leave your hound dog mentality at home. There are lots of great women who live in Indy or are visiting that don't deserve to be cat-called or pawed like they're a piece of meat.
3. Attend the conference. I mean actually show up and be a participant in learning. Don't use this trip as an excuse to get drunk, cheat on your spouse, or sleep in the classes. If you want a trip to party - go to Panama City with the other teenagers and let real professionals attend the conference.
4. Leave Indy in as good or better shape than when you came. When you go out and destroy property, stay out making noise all night and make an ass of yourself - you insult the host city and every professional firefighter who is there or would love to be there.
Capt. Jeff Giraud, (Retired)
R Olson Fire Captain (retired)
I was at FDIC, I actually saw this in one of my sessions... it was not on that topic but sae type of walking out and some attitude. I too had a point of disagreement with one of the presenters points. I like a grown 25 year veteran of the fire service, chose to walk up to the presenter after the discussion and pose some constructive criticism. The instructor thanked me for the input and actually stated he had not considered my positions, however, in the future he would integrate those positions into his presentation for future classes. He even admitted that many of my points were things in his career he has done and work quite well. I think we all need to open up our thoughts and minds when at educational conferences and even if you don't agree with the speaker there may be a little nugget we can take home, we are all there to learn from each other.