“We are going to submit an amendment to exempt our county from these state training requirements because all of our volunteers will quit.” “I can only support this bill if my fire chief is kept on the firefighting commission.”
These are comments that I recall former Tennessee legislators making in response to the Tennessee Fire Service Coalition’s push for mandatory training requirements for fire chiefs. We were successful with the legislation with a compromise, which we were not prepared for, which was my fault. I thought that with all of the hard work, thought-vetting and due diligence we put into drafting the legislation, we would surely win the hearts and minds of all committed to improving service to our citizens and keeping everyone safe. Yes, I was a rookie at so many things then, and still to this day, I find myself expecting others to understand our mission of service.
It took us three years to get the first version of the training bill passed in 2006. And to this day, the Fire Service Coalition still struggles to enlist some of the counties that originally exempted themselves. Much of this resistance is based on a simple misunderstanding of the benefits that training can have on our citizens and service delivery. As such, we must be vigilant and know that it takes our steadfast involvement to motivate change.
Making change—now
I spoke recently at the Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company banquet in Loudoun County, VA, about learning being intentional. Their system shows that improving standards across the board for volunteer and career personnel improves the outcome for citizens and firefighters.
What are you doing to improve service and save the lives of firefighters and citizens? Are training requirements part of your plan? I can remember sitting in many of the FIRE Act grant criteria meetings listening to colleagues argue over making training mandatory to receive a grant. Many resorted to the cry of, “Wait, this isn’t a law, it’s a regulation!” We must be ready to respond, “Yes, and it is required in order to receive funding!” For example, in order to receive a grant for a fire truck, the department must verify driver training in accordance with national standards. Requirements serve a purpose for a profession, and the leaders within that profession should seek reasonable requirements that improve the service provided and the safety of the participants.
Many in the fire service will say that it’s not a good time at the local, state and federal levels to try and mandate anything because of the societal and political environments. But the time to start is always now. We can’t overcome the negativity of a word such as “mandate” if we don’t push for the positives it brings. We can make the issues real by sharing stories that highlight the impact to citizens and the increased safety for firefighters. Analyze the vulnerabilities of your community and your fire department, and embrace a training program that includes requirements to improve your service.
Enforcement and commitment
We can have all the laws and regulations we want, but how are they enforced? Did that fire chief in the rural county get the training that was required? Did the Firefighter Commission remain intact? Did that fire chief get to keep his seat? Does anyone check and make sure the fire department that was awarded a fire truck on the FIRE Act grant complied with or met the driver training requirements? The answer is yes, but there can always be improvements in the legislation, regulations, laws and enforcement.
As fire and emergency service leaders, we must commit to making the improvements needed. To do this requires a lot of human resources as well as financial support. It is our role to push for these improvements because, like it or not, we are the experts on fire protection. Get involved at the local, state and federal levels, pick your interest and expertise, and engage in the process. There are a lot of associations that offer training and legislative services, so get involved!
All in
Speaking of being all in, I hope that you are all making plans to attend Firehouse Expo in Nashville in October. It will be a great place for you to share your experience and expand your knowledge on the hot topics of today’s fire service. Plus, many of you already know how much fun can be had in Music City USA! Make plans now to join us as we embrace a venue change that brings energy and excitement to the legacy we all know and love as Firehouse Expo. I hope to see you there, where we can unite and proclaim, “Yes, we are ALL IN!”
