As Firehouse Sees It: Bridging the Gap

After attending the 40^th anniversary celebrations of the 1944 D-Day invasion, American journalist and author Tom Brokaw wrote the 1998 New York Times bestseller The Greatest Generation. The “Greatest Generation,” as described by Brokaw, was made up of those who battled through the Great Depression and united together to fight World War II.

In his book, Brokaw states, “It is, I believe, the greatest generation any society has ever produced.” He argued that these men and women fought not for fame and recognition, but because it was the right thing to do.

It is this phrase that brings about one of the most timely and powerful messages for the American fire service. A generation faced with personal desperation and despair united, not for themselves but rather for the good of the country. They united because it was the right thing to do.

While I don’t mean to suggest that the American fire service is faced with a crisis anywhere near that of the Great Depression or World War II, I do believe that we face some evolving issues that, if left unaddressed, will unnecessarily divide us and bring about consternation for generations to come. It is with this thought in mind that I ask that we bring these issues to the forefront and consciously work to bridge the gaps between us for the betterment of the American fire service and those we serve. 

In fire departments throughout the country, we have a generation of firefighters and future fire service leaders entering our ranks with skill sets that differ greatly from previous generations. Despite these differences, the newer generation is constantly being challenged by the more senior generation to look, walk, talk and act like them.

The divide between two generations is nothing new. In fact, if there’s one thing all generations have in common, it’s the firm belief that the next generation will compromise the fundamental standards of the fire service. It was said of my generation, and I’m certain it was said of the countless generations before us. 

Yes, it is true that there are many (myself included at times) who question whether a generation that thrives on 140 characters of information will successfully demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities to carry the torch for the future. And there are certainly concerns expressed about how a generation that has been raised with the expectation of receiving an award for simply showing up will earn the respect of those they serve.

But let us not forget that this tech-equipped generation is in a far better position to accept and operate advancements in technology at a much faster pace than any generation previous. Let us also not forget that many of the wars we fight overseas today are done so by the skillful hands of this same generation remotely positioned here in the United States. We might also give consideration to the fact that a very senior pilot once landed a plane on the Hudson, having previously performed this feat on a simulator—what some would consider to be the technology of a younger generation.

In a much different circle, there are those who promote divisionary lines between the risk-takers and the safety zealots commonly labeled as risk-adverse. In yet another circle, there are those who self-proclaim to be the old-school “aggressive” interior firefighters who verbally combat with those whom they consider to be more passive, exterior “yard-breathers” who stand outside and watch buildings burn.

As for the divide that exists between these two groups, the blind application of any one tactic—defensive or offensive, interior or exterior—is simply misguided. To think that every fire fight must be fought from the interior hallway or from the front lawn is ill-advised. The answer to these tactical situations and most every incident to which we respond is circumstantial and cannot be accurately determined with limited information, nor can we default to any one mode of operation with the expectation of success.

It’s time we set aside our personal egos, our individual agendas and seek to bridge the gaps that divide us, respectfully debate the perceived mistruths, and unite behind a common cause, a cause far greater than any one of us—the American fire service. Why? Because it’s the right thing to do.