Prior to 2014, my knowledge of the Boston Fire Department was pretty much limited to what I had read in Leo Stapleton’s books: Thirty Years on the Line, Commish, Ffops and Fire & Water.
I knew Boston as an old city with a well-respected fire department that protected a very densely populated cityscape that features some of the most challenging fire environments in the United States. Pre-twentieth-century construction, composed primarily of wood, with narrow streets, steep hills and severe winter weather conditions makes it a haven for large, multi-alarm fires that frequently made the pages of Firehouse and many other national fire publications.
Like many fire departments (big and small) throughout the country, Boston was, for the most part, self-taught, self-trained and self-educated in its own form of firefighting. With such a unique work environment and a high fire volume, it might be tough for anyone to argue with this approach.
But this all changed when Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced the appointment of Chief Joseph E. Finn as the next commissioner of the Boston Fire Department on July 7, 2014.
In October 2015, I had the opportunity to listen to Commissioner Finn speak at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) Cancer Research Summit in Washington, D.C. It was during this presentation that Commissioner Finn shared the devastating toll occupational cancer was imposing on current and former members of the Boston Fire Department. Cancer rates amongst Boston firefighters was more than 2½ times greater than the city’s average.
To his credit, Commissioner Finn hit the ground running and began working feverishly with city administrators and executives of IAFF Local 718 to seek a solution in preventing occupational cancer within one of our nation’s most iconic fire departments.
In 2016, Commissioner Finn presented the keynote address at the 2016 Firehouse Expo in Nashville, TN. The title of his address was “Picking Up the Pieces,” as this was how he described the better part of his first two years of service as the commissioner.
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to attend the A. Michael Mullane Health and Safety Symposium, hosted by the Boston Fire Department and Local 718. The Mullane Symposium represents one of the countless initiatives that Commissioner Finn and the Boston Fire Department have created to expand the department’s focus and to help introduce and initiate organizational change at all levels.
When I arrived, I was introduced to Local 718 President Richie Paris, who was at the Union Hall with several members of the Boston Fire Department, talking about fireground research, cancer prevention initiatives and, yes, alternative tactics. To say the least, I was blown away: Was I really in Boston?
Over the next two days, I attended presentations covering several critical topics, including fireground technology, cancer research, the hazards of flame-retardants and peer support programs, to name a few. What I took away from my time in Boston was simply this: Commissioner Finn is no longer “picking up the pieces”; he’s “putting the right pieces in the right places” to set a new standard of excellence for the Boston Fire Department and the American fire service.
Today, it’s not uncommon to see Boston firefighters of all ranks attending not only local conferences but national conferences as well. Boston’s Training Division is now a testing ground for new equipment, technology and research. Boston fire stations—which are, on average, 70+ years old—are now being prepared for industrial cleaning and full-scale remodeling with the number one priority being firefighter health and safety.
While Commissioner Finn is leading the charge, President Richie Paris and the members of Local 718 are shouldering an equal balance of the work. And none of this would’ve been possible without the full support and backing of Mayor Walsh.
The Boston Fire Department has long been known for its strong traditions; these traditions have set a standard of excellence that has brought them great success for many years. Yet the deadly hazards imposed by the modern fireground have not discriminated against them. Fortunately, the department has been blessed with leaders who’ve chosen to work cooperatively and embrace the challenge of implementing change, all with the ultimate goal of firefighter health and safety.
I challenge each of you to ask yourself, who’s picking up the pieces within your organization, and what changes are you willing to make to support the health and safety of your firefighters?
