In the fire service, there’s no such thing as going it alone. The company you keep on and off duty directly impacts the firefighter you become. A motivated and positive crew will sharpen you, hold you accountable, and drive you to achieve more than you thought possible. On the flip side, a negative and unmotivated crew can derail your progress, drain your energy, and send you down a path of complacency that’s hard to recover from.
For me, the tribe I’ve surrounded myself with has shaped every aspect of my career. These people pushed me past my limits, taught me lessons I could never learn alone, and forced me to confront the hard truths about my performance. Without them, I wouldn’t be the firefighter or person I am today.
Why Your Tribe Matters
They Push You Past Your Limits
Growth only happens when you’re uncomfortable. The right tribe will push you physically, mentally, and emotionally. When you think you’ve hit your limit, they’ll show you there’s more in the tank. They’ll demand excellence, not out of arrogance, but because they know what you’re capable of even when you don’t.
They Hold You Accountable
A strong tribe won’t let you off the hook. They’ll call you out when you’re slacking, challenge your excuses, and expect you to hold yourself to the same high standard they do. Accountability isn’t always easy to hear but is essential for growth. These people don’t criticize you to tear you down. They tell the truth because they want to see you succeed.
They Share the Gift of Suffering
The strongest bonds are forged in shared struggle. Whether it’s hard training, grueling calls, or personal hardships, those who go through the grind with you become your brothers and sisters for life. Suffering together creates trust, resilience, and an unbreakable connection. As Mark Twight said, “Effort and pain may not be avoided. Physical and psychological breakdowns occur. The support of a like-minded group, dedicated to The Art of Suffering, provides a safety net. An individual will push harder and risk more in the company of trustworthy peers.”
How to Find Your Tribe
Look for Honesty and Integrity
Surround yourself with people who tell you the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. A strong tribe is built on trust, and honesty is the foundation of that trust.
Seek Out High Performers
Find people who push themselves to improve daily on the fireground, in the gym, or in life. Excellence is contagious, and when you’re surrounded by high performers, you’ll find yourself rising to their level.
Embrace the Grind Together
Don’t shy away from the hard work. The grind is where you’ll find those willing to suffer alongside you. That shared struggle will forge bonds that are impossible to break.
Get Outside Your Department
Your tribe doesn’t have to be limited to your firehouse. Some of the best mentors and peers might be in different departments, states, or industries. These outside perspectives can offer new insights and strengthen your network. Some of the most influential people in my career are from outside my own department.
Final Thoughts
You become who you surround yourself with, so be intentional about choosing your tribe. Find the people who challenge you to be better, refuse to let you settle, and share the highs and lows of the journey with you. Invest in those relationships as much as they invest in you because a strong tribe doesn’t just build better firefighters. It builds better people.
Go find your tribe. Then, do the work. Together, you’ll create unbreakable bonds that will carry you through the toughest challenges and lead to the greatest victories.
Logan Broberg is an 11-year firefighter and current Lieutenant with the Kissimmee Fire Department in Central Florida. A graduate of the Georgia Smoke Diver program (#1158) and the Georgia Flames program (#312), He is the founder of Rogue Firemanship Training, a company committed to building mentally and physically resilient firefighters.
