I know it is human nature to want to help and this is especially true when it comes to firefighters. I was at the clinic today taking a drug test and I was reading a regional magazine and being familiar with it I looked at what is call "Care Hero," and inside is a picture of a firefighter I know that received a reward for getting in a car, with no PPE on vacation that was involved in an MVC. Last September or October a firefighter had an article about him because on the way to work he came a cross a house fire in a county he doesn't work for and entered the building wearing only his bunker coat to make sure no one was inside.

Why are firefighters being awarding and recognized for putting them selfs in danger of being killed or seriously injured?

because nobody wants to wear the floor mopper of the year award on their dress uniforms

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I think that the media created this problem, society needs heros, so the media creates the idea with choosing people that do "heroic" things, or what the public percieves as "heroic". I don't know exactly what to think, due to the idea that some of these bad choices are a reflextion of what we do. Is a guy wrong for following his gut...? I would think that it comes back to FF101 "if we get hurt we can't help anyone". But, how do we view ourselves after an incident that we could have made a difference, and didn't? I don't know if there is a right answer, but I do understand your question, and I think it's valid.

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NAZ F.O.O.L.S.

For once, I think Cshifter Killer Sheshifter Killer and I can some what agree on something.  I too think that the media has created this problem.  On the other hand, I also agree, that it comes down to FF 101.  But you have to use common-sense and ethics in doing such acts.  Look at each April issue of Firehouse Magazine, at the "Firehouse Heroism Awards" each year.  Most of the guys that get the awards are seasoned firefighters/fire officers and/or are on busy/big city FD's that most of their companies run more calls a year, then most of our whole departments do in a year.  They're able to weigh the risks a lot better then most of us ever would.

Yet again, I have to agree w/ Cshifter Killer Sheshifter Killer.  How do we view ourselves after an incident that we could have made a difference, and did not.  I've been there, and it SUCKS!  Yet, you move on and deal w/ it, and you'll drive yourself even harder next time when a situation like that happens again.

On the other hand, I'd like to think that ALL of us would take the risk if it were to arise and do that crazy rescue (w/ no PPE, no protection of a hose line, no sign of back up/2nd due units, etc).  Is it/will it be the smartest thing to do?  Probably not!  But like I said, you have to use common-sense, ethics, moral issues, among other things before you do something like that.  And GOD DAMN IT, be as safe as you can doing it.

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"It's better to be pissed off, then pissed on!"

"Take care and stay safe everyone!"

I believe it has to do with the percieved mindset of the individual performing the heroic act not so much the job title. If your  average shmo, did the same thing it would probably make the same article, but folks with this mindset (willingness to risk something for a rush and the safety of others) tend to be in our line of work. So when you see these post incident write ups, you have to relize these are normal people that happen to be public servants on the side, wrong, right, or indifferent I believe that these folks mindsets had the best intentions, which few people in society seem to have anymore.

If I understand the concern, it's when Firefighters aren't in their normal environment (no PPE with them)? In such a case it's absolutely the best thing (in cases where feasible of course) for the Firefighters to do this instead of the lay public. I'm not taking anything from good samaritans, as they help many people annually, and we recognize them for getting involved. I've done this off Duty for decades if presented a situation, and haven't been recognized for it. But neither was I thinking about that at the time. Granted, it's also the trained person that should be in the best position to assess what might be done, or what other hazards are present. Fireguys/gals that act without safety on the job, is entirely a different problem. Once as an EMS supervisor, I asked a Paramedic to start wearing the gloves provided. He said he couldn't detect pulses when in gloves. We pulled him off the "Box", and he quickly learned he could wear gloves and do pulses. Hmmm?

But I would always expect to see Firefighters act when facing a situation off Duty, not because of their "duty to act" obligation, but because it may be critical to do so. If it's a fire, first make sure it's reported. As a baby Firefighter I never appreciated that part, but it's essential to everything after that. Then act if possible, or prevent others from acting in cases where they don't "see" a hazard we do. Show me a FF that didn't stop because it was dangerously impossible to get involved, and I'll say I've seen that too. Show me one that won't do any emergency thing off Duty when faced with it, and I would recognize the same guy at work....as the one that only does what he "has" to and nothing more. I know some that want to be called professional, and think that title is secured only because they're paid.

Our best intentions are reflections of who we truly are. When the world falls down around us and it is time to make a decision; Our choices show our level of compassion, knowledge, and skill. The one thing we all have to remember is: What is the number one killer of would-be rescuers?

Compassion.

It is in our very nature to want to help someone in need. Firefighters and Emergency Service Personnel have innate ability to look at a situation, decide if this an acceptable risk, and execute a tactic in a matter of seconds. The problem with this is we seldom think of an alternate plan in those situations. If you can favorably influence the outcome of a bad situation then by all means go for it. If your best efforts and all the right equipment will not save someone in a crisis situation, then you probably shouldn't run in with just a bunker coat on. Your Discretion, Your Experience, Your Gut....Use them all.

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Under Promise, Over Deliver...

RHTower1:

because nobody wants to wear the floor mopper of the year award on their dress uniforms

 

Now thats just funny, I don't care who you are......

josephrahh:

I know it is human nature to want to help and this is especially true when it comes to firefighters. I was at the clinic today taking a drug test and I was reading a regional magazine and being familiar with it I looked at what is call "Care Hero," and inside is a picture of a firefighter I know that received a reward for getting in a car, with no PPE on vacation that was involved in an MVC. Last September or October a firefighter had an article about him because on the way to work he came a cross a house fire in a county he doesn't work for and entered the building wearing only his bunker coat to make sure no one was inside.

Why are firefighters being awarding and recognized for putting them selfs in danger of being killed or seriously injured?

Wait a minute.

He got into a fucking car without PPE? Was it on fire? Did I miss something, or did all cars involved in mva's become ticking timebombs over night? Is there some unknown not being shared with us?

The other one doesn't bother me either. I reckon most of us know what we can probably get away with and we do what we can with what we've got. If I rolled up off duty on a house fire, I might search without gear.

When we happen upon situations under less than ideal circumstances, we face a choice. I trust that these men weighed the risk and were right. They are both alive, so apparently their actions weren't deadly and we can safely assume that their judgment in this instance was correct. Maybe they are both cowboys, but that's not something I could guess simply from the information here, and I know that I would probably do the same thing in certain situations.

It's my job.

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I'm kind of a big deal around here.
67C North Side Ninjas

I have to agree with johnny on this one. Even though I am one of those selfish fulltime IAFF guys (note sarcasm), my years as a volunteer lead me to stop at every vehicle accident I encounter.

Maybe I am not there as an EMT or FF but just someone trying to help out.

As for the award part. I agree with many award programs. Sometimes there are really no good candidates and the committee stretches to find a recipient. As long as the people receiving the awards are not doing what they do just for recognition, have at it.

 Some people like the attention and may end up doing more stupid stuff just to be recognized.
 

It's not like the guy ran into a burning house in his shorts and tee shirt while on duty. If I came across a house fire on my way to work you can bet your ass I would enter and search with the cotton hoodie on my back. As for getting an award for it, I think it is deserved. That is an act of valor above and beyond the call of duty. It is a greater act of valor than going in with full gear and a charged line.

 If you could look yourself in the mirror after not trying because it's "unsafe" then you're no brother of mine. Firemen get killed. It's never going to change. Trying to sterilize the job and cry safety this and OSHA that is pointless. I'm not trying to say be reckless but there is an inherent risk associated with this job and if you're not willing to accept that then go drive a desk.

 

This "We didn't start the fire" attitude has got to go. You are an insurance policy paid for by your taxpayers. It is your job to put the fire out as quickly as possible. Sure there should be varying degrees of aggressiveness but to lallygag and be timid in your attack ultimately makes your job more dangerous and increases your odds of being hurt.

 

Sorry I went off on a rant there.