Passing the Torch: Why Perspective Still Matters in the Fire Service
Passing the Torch
Why Perspective Still Matters in the Fire Service
By John Vance
B Shifter Buckslip, June 10, 2025.
The fire service I joined nearly 35 years ago looks very different from the one we see today. Yes, it’s still “the fire department.” We still roll out in big red trucks, sirens wailing, ready to deliver life-saving personnel, water and equipment to the scene. But much has changed: our tactics, our tools and our culture—even the personality of the profession. These changes have been shaped not just by the past three and a half decades but by the hard-earned lessons from previous generations.
This evolution is rooted in research, behavioral understanding, education and operational experience. Today’s fire service is smarter and, in many ways, safer. But progress sometimes comes with growing pains—especially when those starting the job now don’t fully grasp the “why” behind certain practices. Or worse, when they outright reject them.
Frankly, I can’t spend too much time on firefighting social media anymore. I find myself getting frustrated by the posts that lack historical perspective or twist proven, safety-driven practices into claims that we’re abandoning our sacred mission or breaking our promise to the community. Those who bemoan Blue Card because they don’t understand it—but have “been told about it”—are extremely frustrating. What’s often missing in these critiques is context—the context of tragedy, loss and decisions made in hindsight—often when it’s too late.
And yet, I remind myself—these are young people (and I say that respectfully). They’ve evolved, too. They’re smarter, fitter and better educated than we were. When they have a question, they can find an answer in seconds. When they’re confronted with a challenge, they tackle it directly. Many have proudly adopted the label of “fire nerd,” and they’ve made it cool to care about learning the job.
This new generation brings an incredible amount of potential. But no matter how smart or eager they are, there’s one thing they haven’t had the time to acquire yet: perspective.
Closing the Wisdom Gap
That’s where we come in—the seasoned officers, instructors and firefighters who’ve lived through the mistakes, the close calls and the funerals. We have a responsibility to pass on not just skills and tactics but a deeper understanding of “why” we do what we do—especially when it comes to risk management and safety.
At 25 years old, I was aggressive, sometimes reckless and often took risks that had little to no reward. I made mistakes. I freelanced. I didn’t always wear my SCBA. I operated in offensive positions during defensive conditions. I didn’t take care of my mental or physical health like I should have. I often ran without ICS. The list goes on. While today’s 25-year-old firefighter is likely more knowledgeable and better trained than I was at the same age, the one thing I bring to the table that they can’t yet is perspective—earned over thousands of calls and hard lessons.
Too many of my contemporaries—those with the most influence & wisdom to share—have become the “cool parents” of the fire service. They want to be liked. They want to stay relevant.
Perspective isn’t something we should hoard. We need to be there for them—so they can be there for Mrs. Smith. That’s the mission.
After spending time reviewing several just-released NIOSH line-of-duty death (LODD) reports recently, I was struck by how young so many of the fallen were. In many of these cases, the firefighters found themselves in situations they never should have been in—often with little to no supervision to pull them back, redirect them or say the one thing that may have saved their life: No.
“No, get out of the collapse zone.”
“No, this is a defensive fire.”
And in the case of vacant or incinerated buildings, “No, your life is worth more than what we’re trying to save.”
Where was the incident command system in these moments? Where was the leadership? These were good people doing what they believed to be right. But many lacked the support—and yes, the restraint—that comes from strong, experienced leadership on scene (and before the incident).
Go Ahead—Be the Nerd Dad. It’s cool!
In my opinion, too many of my contemporaries—those with the most influence and wisdom to share—have become the “cool parents” of the fire service. They want to be liked. They want to stay relevant. And so they hold back on enforcing expectations or pushing back on unsafe practices. Their “kids” have become their peers, and in the process, many stop acting like parents at all.
I know that’s a strong opinion. But I would rather be the respected “nerd dad” with living, thriving firefighters than the cool parent whose popularity came at the cost of someone’s life or career.
This is a call to action. A challenge. Regardless of your age or ranks, if you are an officer, it’s your job to provide perspective. Don’t sit on your experience. Don’t confuse being liked with being a leader. Use your voice to explain “why” we do what we do. Stand up for risk management. Be the one who says, “Slow down,” “This isn’t safe,” or “This isn’t worth your life.”
Let’s start conflating rescue priorities and technical skills (which are mostly good) with risk management, leadership and command. Rather than taking the time to understand a system designed to help us do our jobs safely and effectively, it’s become easier for some to demonize proven safety practices and romanticize a bygone era—one that included riding the backstep. There’s a reason we don’t do that anymore. I’ve worked with people who suffered serious injuries because of it, and my own department experienced a line-of-duty death directly tied to that now-outdated practice.
To those young bucks wearing “NFPA Non-Compliant” T-shirts like a badge of honor at a recent fire conference, I offer a reminder: Most of the standards we follow today were written in blood after someone, often many, were killed or seriously injured. That’s not about regulation for its own sake. That’s perspective—and it matters.
The new generation of firefighters has incredible promise. They are not the problem. But they need our guidance, and they need our honesty. When they understand the “why,” they’ll make even better decisions than we did because they’ll have both their knowledge and our perspective.
So speak up. Pass it on. And never forget—your perspective could be the one thing that saves a life or a career.
John Vance recently retired as a fire chief after 22 years in the front office. He is currently a battalion chief with the Chanhassen (Minn.) Fire Department; he has been a chief officer since 2002. He is a proud Blue Card lead instructor and an accredited chief officer through the Center for Public Safety Excellence. John has a bachelor’s degree in fire service management from Southern Illinois University and a certificate in executive management from the University of Notre Dame. He is the host of the B Shifter Podcast.