026 - Listener Request - How Can We Make Changes Without Making Waves?

In this episode Brian and John discuss the senior men, the rookies and the group that's caught somewhere in the middle. Along with other challenges being faced in a small town Ohio fire department. This episode was in response to the following email from a loyal listener:

In listening to the podcasts I have a question that I have been asking myself over and over, and I wanted to see if I could get some thoughts on this. There are two main groups of firefighters that seem to get focus nowadays, the "senior man" and the "rookie". And rightfully so. I see them as having an equal importance to the fire service. However there is a lost group in there that gets pulled in both directions that can feel lost. That's the group I'm in. The "middle guys". I am 37 years old and have been on the department now for 21 years (started at 16 as a junior). I grew up idolizing and learning from the go-get-em smoke eaters that was 100% aggressive 100% of the time and that felt certain requirements didn't need to be followed because we were just a small town volunteer department. And, respectfully, they are still the chief officers today. The majority of our firefighters however are in the 20-25 year old range and is accepting and wanting of a more structured, safety minded approach that is still aggressive but only when necessary. That is what I want to give them. As the middle guy, and I am sure that you have been there, I am trying to stay the course of setting the example for the future of the department and do the right thing. However, those that made me who I am today are feeling disrespected and feel that I am wrong for trying to change things. I know the obvious answer is to do what is right for the people who are expecting me to take care of them. And although I usually am the one to take an order without question, I cannot rightfully pull back from this like the people above me would like. Our chief officers are appointed every year by the township trustees, and they have remained the same for over 20 years. If I would express concern to the trustees, it would most likely result in me not being able to be around to look after the younger generation to make sure that they don't become complacent and follow the path of my elders. I would never give the burden of asking for advice on the politics of our situation, but I would like to know how others have navigated these waters. What has worked, what has failed, and if being the middle guy trying to fix this makes it better or worse for the "rookies".
About our host:
Chief Brian Soller has been a volunteer firefighter for 30 years. Brian is currently Chief of the Rock Hill Fire Department (100% Volunteer / Sullivan County, NY) and a Past Chief of the Monticello Fire Department (Combination / Sullivan County, NY). Brian is a Nationally Certified Level II Fire Instructor as well a Nationally Certified Fire Officer. He has been instructing firefighters of all levels for the past 17 years. Brian is also a long time NYS Emergency Medical Technician as well as an Advanced Swift Water Technician. Brian's passion lies in the promotion of professionalism in the volunteer fire service.

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