Emergency services today navigate a complex landscape of challenges. Whether you’re leading the organization or working on the front lines, you’re intimately familiar with these hurdles and their impact, both personally and on the department level.
To ensure our organizations not only survive but flourish, we must collectively embrace a willingness to step beyond our comfort zones and challenge the status quo. This means fostering creativity and actively pursuing innovative solutions.
Early in my career, I encountered a valuable lesson: the “10 Mile Rule,” or “You Can’t Be An Expert in Your Own Backyard.” As a young firefighter, I consistently sought new approaches through training opportunities beyond my own department. However, upon returning home, my suggestions for change often met resistance. I soon realized that identical ideas, when presented by an outsider, were readily accepted.
Furthermore, I learned the importance of presentation. For instance, suggesting we store electric fan cords and adapters directly on the fans was met with inaction. However, simply mentioning that a department 50 miles away implemented this practice led to immediate adoption.
From leadership to frontline personnel, we all must champion change within ourselves and our organizations. Here are some actionable strategies:
- Cultivate a Learning Mindset: Commit to daily learning. Even in my current role with Provident, where I no longer respond to emergencies, I prioritize staying informed about the fire service.
- Embrace Curiosity and Exploration: The internet offers a wealth of knowledge. There’s no excuse for stagnation.
- Lead by Example: Demonstrate your dedication to learning and innovation. Empower younger colleagues by soliciting their solutions to challenges, showcasing your openness to change.
- Provide Robust Support: Equip your team with the resources and training needed to acquire new skills and techniques. Consider bringing in trainers from other regions or utilizing podcasts and webinars for group learning.
- Build Strong Networks: Leverage existing peer networks to share best practices and learn from others’ experiences. Often, another organization has already solved the very problem you’re facing.
In the end, stepping out of our comfort zones is not just a personal challenge but a necessity for the growth and resilience of our emergency services. By embracing change, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and leveraging the collective wisdom of our peers, we can overcome the challenges we face and ensure our organizations not only survive but thrive. Remember, the willingness to adapt and innovate is what will set us apart and drive us forward. Let’s commit to being the change-makers our communities need.
-Chief Ed Mann, March 2025