“A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you” — C.S. Lewis
“Serving with Pride and Courage.” This is the motto on the side of the fire engine at the fire department where I volunteer. This type of pride is the pride we often hear and read about within the fire service.
One definition of pride is: “Confidence and self-respect as expressed by members of a group, typically one that has been socially marginalized, on the basis of their shared identity, culture, and experience.” This perfectly describes how we should all feel about being firefighters in the American fire service.
While there are many positive aspects of pride, there is currently a significant pride issue within the fire service. Excessive pride can lead to various problems, including resistance to change; an inability to accept feedback; and unhealthy competition between crews or shifts, which can hinder cooperation.
Resistance to Change
Everyone has heard the old saying, “We have always done it this way.” This is perhaps the most prideful statement made within the fire service. If you look at that statement without bias or emotional connection, it conveys, “We are not open to doing things any differently because we have done it so well over the years that there is no way anyone could suggest a better way.”
We must entertain new ways of doing things within the fire service to continually grow and improve. Without growth, we will become stagnant and will not keep up with the new challenges we face every day.
Could you imagine responding to fires in a horse-drawn buggy and, on arrival, passing buckets down a line to extinguish the fire? (I know that actually sounds cool.)
Thankfully, the firefighters who paved the way to where we are now weren’t so prideful that they ignored those who suggested a motorized fire engine with a pump and hoses.
If you’ve ever attended a class or conference and then tried to introduce a new tactic or skill to your department, you’ve likely encountered issues with pride. The next time you’re presented with a new idea or a different way of doing something and feel resistance, take it as a sign to step back, swallow your pride, and listen to what others suggest.
Feedback
A career in the fire service is anything but short. The average career span of a firefighter is 25 to 30 years. That is a long time to strive for perfection, and chances are no one has ever retired able to say they never made a mistake.
Feedback from our peers and superiors is one of the most reliable ways to check our progress and ensure we are meeting expectations.
Prideful individuals tend to become defensive and shut down when given feedback on how they could improve–not because they are shy, but because they believe they are doing well and do not need advice on how to do things better. This is often manifested as excuses or explanations for why they do things their way.
From probationary firefighter to chief of the department, we all must be able to humble ourselves and listen to feedback from those around us. If we are unable to accept constructive feedback, we will remain stagnant while watching the rest of the fire service progress.
Unhealthy Competition
Competition among crews can be one of the best ways to build camaraderie and foster a culture of improvement and growth. But what happens when we become prideful and competition among crews, battalions, or shifts turns negative?
Unhealthy competition can hinder a department’s growth and erode a positive culture. As competition intensifies, crews may become pitted against one another, leading to the withholding of valuable information or skills, creating division, and undermining morale.
Firefighters, by nature, tend to have Type A personalities and a strong drive to win. Information that should be openly shared among crews may be hoarded to gain an advantage over others in the department. This is not only prideful but also very dangerous.
As firefighters, we have a duty to pass on information or knowledge that could potentially save lives—whether civilian or firefighter lives. When competition becomes unhealthy, it may shift into a “crew vs. crew” mentality. Crews may bicker to make themselves appear better than others, which can cause tension and create divisiveness.
Unhealthy competition also undermines morale. Resentment can form when individuals are constantly involved in competition, easily turning into an “every crew for themselves” situation.
Maintaining crew cohesiveness across the department is vital for the health and culture of the organization. When competition is no longer constructive, it can drastically hinder teamwork, resulting in a lack of effectiveness and efficiency.
In the fire service, pride can motivate us to perform our jobs well and strive for continuous growth, training, and learning.
When pride becomes negative, it threatens the foundation of what we have built our fire service on: brotherhood, professionalism, and service to the public. We must find the balance and continue to embrace the positive aspects of pride while staying humble enough to recognize that we do not know everything and that there is always an opportunity to improve.
Bio
John Velez is a tailboard firefighter with the Longview Fire Department in East Texas. His passion for the fire service drives him to continually improve his skills and add value to those around him. As the host of the Tailboard Misfits Podcast, John challenges fellow firefighters to challenge the status quo and commit themselves to be the firefighter the fire service needs. Through mentorship and a dedication to learning, he aims to inspire positive change within the fire service and strengthen the community he serves.
