The fire service has no place for wasted aggression. Uncontrolled rage, unchecked egos and unfocused energy don’t save lives. However, passion does. When channeled properly, aggression can be a force multiplier, turning passion into action and mission into momentum. It took a hard lesson early in my career for me to understand the difference.
A lesson in aggression
I met Bob K during a tumultuous time in my life. A no-nonsense guy who had years of experience, Bob was a boxer and coach who had plenty of familiarity with working with troubled minds. One day, he stepped in.
“Why are you trying to fight the world when you can’t win the war within yourself?” he asked.
I shrugged in youthful angst.
He nodded. “Alright, then. Let’s train.”
Bob squared up, fists raised. Before I knew it, he threw a quick jab, then a right hook. Lights out. I hit the ground, dazed.
“Lesson one,” he said as I tried to collect myself. “Aggression without direction is just chaos, and chaos is predictably unpredictable, which makes it an easy target.”
That moment changed everything for me. I realized that raw aggression, without a mission, was useless. However, when refined, when channeled into something bigger than oneself, aggression becomes an unstoppable force.
Misuse of aggression in the fire service
Often, aggression is misunderstood. Some believe that it means being reckless, charging into situations without thinking. Others associate it with arrogance or dominance.
True aggression—the kind that wins—has nothing to do with anger and everything to do with controlled, focused action.
The word “aggression” comes from the Latin aggredi, meaning “to approach.” It’s about moving forward with intent, not just reacting. In the fire service, aggression should be about taking action in a way that aligns with the mission.
When aggression lacks purpose, it turns toxic. It creates unnecessary conflict, fuels egos and, ultimately, weakens the team. The most effective firefighters and leaders aren’t just aggressive; they are passion-aggressive.
A different approach
Passion-aggression isn’t about being the loudest or the toughest. It’s about relentless commitment to the mission and using aggression as a tool to execute that mission effectively. It means having:
- Defined purpose: Knowing why you show up every day and what drives you.
- Clear vision: Seeing the bigger picture beyond the next call.
- Core values: Holding yourself accountable to a set of principles that guide your actions.
- A tactical mindset: Applying calculated aggression when it’s needed, not just acting on emotion.
Passion-aggression doesn’t apply just to emergency scenes. It applies to training, leadership, mentorship and personal development. It means staying disciplined, putting in the extra work, and pushing yourself and your team to be better.
Developing a passion-aggressive mindset
How do you channel aggression into something productive? It starts with intentionality. Here’s how you can apply passion-aggression in your career:
- Find your mission. Why did you become a firefighter? If you don’t have a clear answer, figure it out. Everything that you do should serve that mission.
- Commit to mastery. Firefighting is a craft. Train relentlessly. Study the job. Make yourself an asset to your crew.
- Check your ego. Passion-aggression isn’t about proving that you’re the best; it’s about making the team better. Listen, learn and lead with humility.
- Execute with purpose. Whether it’s stretching a line, mentoring a probie or making decisions on the fireground, act with precision and intention.
Fire service needs passion-aggressive leaders
We need more firefighters who bring intensity, commitment and focus to the job every day. Leadership at every level must cultivate this mindset.
Passion-aggressive firefighters aren’t reckless; they are disciplined. They don’t act out of anger but out of a deep love for the mission. They don’t waste energy on negativity but instead direct it toward mastery and mentorship. They don’t just show up; they step up with purpose.
So, ask yourself: Are you just aggressive, or are you passion-aggressive? Are you moving with purpose, or are you just moving? The fire service doesn’t need more rage. It needs more relentless, mission-driven professionals who are willing to push themselves and their crew toward excellence.
The choice is yours.
