Dear Nozzlehead: I’m part of a small volunteer company. I have some problems with a few members and I’m not sure what to do. First, they treat me like a water boy, making me get them stuff when we’re at the station. I did not take the state firefighting training for this, and I won’t stand for it. They also ridicule me in front of firefighters from other departments when I’m not there and even when I am. They even threaten me with physical violence. I’m not sure if these threats are serioNozzlehead responds to a reader who complains that he’s being treated poorly by a few members of the department, and the officers won’t stop the behavior.us or not. But perhaps the most important thing is the rampant lack of professionalism they show on scenes. They curse in front of victims, don’t wear proper PPE, and they can’t learn how to work together. My officers are great and they like me, and it’s a great department, but how can I deal with these few members that seem to ruin it for everyone?
–River Rat
Dear Rat,
One of the challenges of writing a column like this is that I don’t have the chance to ask more questions and dig down deep, but I’ll take what you gave me and run with it, as submitted.
I started in the volunteer fire and rescue service in the early 70s, and while I have had more wonderful impressions and memories than anything else, I have also seen a negative side that leads me to a conclusion that I have shared with many volunteer leaders.
There seems to be a big mystery in some departments as to why they can’t keep members and why new folks are rarely interested in joining. So often after just a little detective work–and it doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes to figure it out–it’s easy to see that we eat our own. In case after case, we treat our members like crap. Brotherhood? Sisterhood? As you’ve heard from me many times before, BMA (Brotherhood My Ass)!
When a volunteer department genuinely wants new members, they better make sure they really want them, because those new members may not be like you or “the old guard.” They may not fit in with “this family” or “that clique.” They may not be the same shape or sex or sexual orientation that the members are used to. They might look different in skin color or clothes. They might have a different religion or be a part of a different culture that has “moved in” to your community. Are the doors still open now?
I love speaking to old-timers in volunteer fire departments. I almost always ask the question, “So, has much changed around here since you joined up?” and then I sit back and let the stories fly. I LOVE the old stories of how it used to be because it’s really important to understand the history.
One of the things I listen for–or look for–is to see how much the department has changed to meet the community needs. Unfortunately, some volunteer departments continue to do business the way they did years ago, and are blind to the fact that what they are doing–or not doing–creates this supposed “why don’t people like being in our volunteer department” mystery. It’s not a mystery; it’s like a lot of other stuff–we are truly dedicated in serving the community … on our terms. And we REALLY want to meet the community needs … as long as it’s comfortable for us.
Another factor that can really screw up a decent volunteer department is a clique or gang-like mentality. I’m talking about that “family” or group “that’s been here forever” and has no interest in doing things different–and officers who don’t have the courage to deal with them. It sounds like this may fit the bill in your case, Rat. They have the “we own this stuff” attitude, and they have no interest in “outsiders.” But the thing is, they don’t own anything. The taxpayers own it. Oh wait, maybe your department doesn’t get taxes, and all funding is provided through fundraising. The citizens still own it. Sure, the fire company may hold the titles, but the reality is that unless your members bought the stuff with their own personal cash, the community donated and therefore bought the equipment with the understanding that the volunteers might actually do the right thing with it.
I wish I could figure out how real an issue this is or if you’re being overly sensitive. Some of the members treat you like a water boy by making you get them stuff when you’re in quarters? Is that true hazing or is it pretty typical probie stuff? Probies do have to earn certain things, and doing things around the firehouse isn’t such a bad thing. How long have you known them? Are you “new in the door” or have you been around for years?
They ridicule you in front of firefighters from other departments? Not good. They threaten you with physical violence? Definitely not good! They may just be kidding, but that’s a bad area to kid in. Threats are in the eye of the receiver, so if it sounds like a threat, then it’s a threat. If they are kidding and having fun with you, and it’s definitely unclear to you, that’s a problem. They either know you have a short fuse and are goofing with you or it’s a real problem.
The more I read what you wrote, it sounds like this firehouse has some problems and your so-called great officers may not be so great.
Perhaps you’re reading more into this than what it is. But that’s the problem: It’s unclear if it’s real or simply just some guys goofing off.
It’s a great department? Then quit hanging around clowns, which I realize may be easier said than done.
I’d suggest you reach out to one of the officers you trust–hopefully one who has been there a while and knows the entire cast of characters. Either option–that you’re being overly sensitive or that the clowns are absolutely wrong and need their bells rung–is certainly not beyond the realm of possibility.
As far as the department’s known lack of professionalism shown on scenes–cursing in front of victims, not wearing gear and not working together? Pal, on final thought, your officers are not great, it’s not a great department, and the officers own all of it. Including owning the need to change.
