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5 Qualities of a Successful Firefighter
Posted On 02 Jun 2013
#1 DISCIPLINE:
An absolute understanding of your job, the ability to carry it out safely no matter what!
If you expect to become a good and respected firefighter you must dedicate yourself to training and developing your mind and body. This can only be achieved through hard work, persistence and a prescribed and orderly training regiment. Only then can you truly know your job and possess the physical ability to do your job. Remember the challenges of this job will never adjust themselves to our limitations it is us who must make the necessary adjustments to meet the challenges.
#2 COMMITMENT:
To be bound to the appropriate courses of action in all that you do.
We must embody the time honored traditions and values that the fire service was founded on in order to uphold our obligation to the people we protect and our fellow firefighters. We must pledge ourselves to understanding the dangers which surround our calling so we can continue to answer the call for help without ignoring our own safety.
#3 INITIATIVE:
The power to begin and see your job through to the end.
Once you have disciplined your mind and body and are committed to doing the right thing you must be able to initiate the appropriate action to get the job done. We must possess the ability, attitude and stamina to not only begin the fight but to carry through to the end with the same energy to ensure the battle is won.
#4 AGGRESSIVENESS:
Meaning to be BOLD/ENERGETIC/and BRAVE in carrying out your job.
The term aggressive is sometimes confused with the term reckless. Aggressive means to act with a purpose and urgency, to not shy away from the task at hand, to meet any challenge head on appropriately. Aggressive action is based on intelligence and performed by trained and prepared firefighters. Reckless is to run blindly into every situation without thinking it through. Reckless behavior is done out of habit not need.
#5 COURAGEOUSNESS:
The state of mind enabling one to face danger with confidence and resolution.
Mark Twain said that “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear not absence of fear. Without fear there can be no valor and if you have no fear you are not a firefighter you are a sociopath. Fear is not weakness it is respect. Respect for the consequences of being a firefighter. Respect for the responsibility you have to others and yourself. If you truly understand what the ultimate cost might be and go anyway that is what makes you a firefighter.
Be Safe. Be Ready!
Man this is great, so absolutely true.
Kyle thank you very much! Its nice to know we are on the right track. Keep up the good work and stay safe!
Hey I love this site! I am new to the service as a volunteer and though I have started working some shifts, I have luckily but also unfortunately had no calls to gain experience. My question is do you have any advice for a rookie when that first call does come? Thanks and much respect to you!
It would be nice to see compassion on this list. From EMS runs to effective salvage, truly caring and being empathetic to those we serve often separates the goods from the greats.
If I may, I’d like to suggest an additional line under Courage, Brother. Great firefighters have the courage to do the RIGHT thing, even if it makes you unpopular with your bosses, or your shift mates. We all know what that right thing is…. It’s hard wired into our gut.
Have the courage to follow through with what’s right, not what’s easy or popular.
Thanks again for this Facebook page. I feel you hit all the key points as well as the one on compassion that Ryan brought up. As well as do the right thing!
Eventho our core businesses are differ, but our goals is obviously the same. Im impressed with your post and please let me share it to my colleagues and subordinates. Thanks brotherhood.
Thank you for such a great and inspiring article. Thanks to you guys and FFTB my whole focus on where I am in my firefighting career has completely changed!
so nice for having a good people sharing their words of wisdom. two thumbs up and a humble salute for you sir . . .
Would like to put training on my Radio station if possible, cds only.