Miracle Firefighters

Politics over Public Safety

As a service we need to recognized the suburban and rural fire departments. They truly have miracle firefighters in their ranks. Once they were the pride of their communities and now see budgets being balanced on there backs. While urban firefighters suffer more injuries the risk of death is higher in the small communities. You can't bluff a fire, staffing, resources and training will dictate outcomes good or bad.   

The fire service is no stranger to Mayor’s placing politics above public safety.  However the actions of Democratic Mayor Finizio from New London are especially egregious.

New London is already a city with miracle firefighters. A fire in the city calls for a response of eleven firefighters with a total of eighteen on duty. Take the same structure in New Haven on fire and the initial response is over 24 firefighters. 

Fires cannot be fought incrementally, all of our critical tasks must occur in unison to ensure the ability to control the building while increasing firefighter and public safety. When a fire occur it does not happen in a vacuum. The department must still be able to respond to medical emergencies, car accidents and other calls for help.  

The fire department responded to approximately 7,000 calls for help last year. These are not empty numbers but represent your friends, family and neighbors.

New London is fifth in the CT in population density. This presents challenges of fires spreading to the home next-door. 

The fire department stands as the most efficient and effective municipal service. Think about it; call any city agency and who is the first to show up? The Fire Department, they get there quick to help and with no paperwork.

Whether you are having a heart attack, your loved one is involved in a car accident or your home or business is on fire New London Firefighters get there first.

All communities our cutting back and this is no different from your home. When times cut tough you cut back on going out to dinner, trips and recreation. You don't cut off the heat or electricity! So why cut fire service? The President at Yale has a sign in his office that reads, "if it doesn't make sense the answer is political."

Mayor Finizio is playing politics with already understaffed departments this is far from sound public policy. Firefighters across the nation have made concessions to ensure the fire truck that responds to your home is in service.  

New London is no different firefighters work overtime for straight-time pay up to the federal maximum saving the city thousands of dollars each year. Layoffs will nullify these savings. 

The City of New London was forged in the fires of the Revolution. Set a blaze and burned to the ground by turncoat General Benedict Arnold. Once again the city is placed in peril by the threat of fire and a leader who is turning his back on the people. 

William Penn has two different shoes, by Frank Ricci

William Penn has two different shoes

By Frank Ricci (Politics and Tactics)

Mentoring is one of the keys to our service, conferences like FDIC and organizations such as the International Society of Fire Services Instructors (ISFSI) are great places to find direction, professional development and a mentor.  

Mentors must realize that the goal is to build those around us and recognize that this is not a one-way street. Mentors and Instructors must except that while their guidance will have influence over the student the student will still be their own person.

They will bring their own experiences, personality and style to the relationship. This will allow you to learn from each other. This is what is great about being a member of the ISFSI and going to FDIC, there are no egos.

In many departments we have witness what I call mutual jealousy. We have all been a witness to this counterproductive attitude that harms our departments and members.

We have seen some of our brightest and most competent members view knowledge as a competition. If another member is knowledgeable or accomplishes a task a different way they view it as a threat.

In our magnificent Capital inside the rotunda you will find the “Frieze of American History.” Italian immigrant Constantino Brumidi painted the painting depicting scenes from our history. While painting the first half of William Penn he fell.

He was seventy-three years old at the time and working fifty-eight feet above the floor. Brumidi was able to reach out for the scaffolding and hung on for dear life. After ten minutes he was rescued. This took a toll on the great painter and he never returned to the scaffolding again.

 Filippo Costaggini trained with Brumidi in Rome and after the Brumidi’s death was commissioned to complete his mentor’s vision.  He started his work on the other half of William Penn.

While viewing the painting from the floor of the Capital the painting looks flawless, however a closer look and you will see that William Penn has two different shoes on.

Filippo had his own perspective how to complete the work and his effort did not take away anything from the original master. He was able to complete the work and the Frieze is a credit to both men.

Remember you cannot appreciate a painting by analyzing the paint. When teaching, mentoring or just working with our peers try to find the good in the work and take the time to build each other even if we may have a different perspective.

Cul-de-sac Kids (Politics & Tactics by Frank Ricci)

Cul-de-sac Kids,

After being motived by the Courage and Valor run I set out to start a routine with my son. After a run with a fellow firefighter we were walking to cool down. My son took out his phone and started to text. A second later and he walked towards the center of the road. My friend stated "cul-de-sac kid." He was referring to lack of awareness of traffic as a result of growing up on a dead end road.

Cul-de-sacs have been around before the Roman Empire. They provided a military advantage in case of attack and served to confuse, slow down and possibly trap an invading army. This layout would cause the army to lose perspective.

This cuts both ways, cul-de-sac kids often lose perspective. Being guarded from all harm on the dead end leaves them vulnerable on all sides. Staying on the dead end is not a option. We all have to leave our own dead ends and experience the world.

We have all experienced this mindset when a chief or union boss states “that’s the way we always done it.” Especially when they have no understanding of why it was done that way in the first place. This is why education, networking and conferences like FDIC our so critical to our professional growth. There is another world outside the confines of our departments.

The way we do things my not be the best way. We can all do better to understand the job. It is your responsibility to master politics, science and customer service. No our job is not just about pulling hose and breaking doors down. For our service to thrive we must break free from our comfort zone.

We must learn about how government works. Only than can we learn to navigate through the complex relationships, budgets and an endless bureaucracies. Keep in mind that there will be roadblocks on every path.

Persistence is the key to success in advocating for our service.  Do not lose faith even when faced with disappointment.  Just as in DC no road leads directly to the Capital, so the next time your lost in the District of Columbia, note that was the intended purpose. However with persistence and a willingness to leave the cul-de-sac we will get there together.

Principal Over Politics

Principal over Politics

By Frank Ricci (episode 208 Politics & Tactics Fire Engineering Radio)

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/fireengineeringtalkradio/2012/02/14/episode-208-politics-tactics - .T0pj3xXKCk4.email

The bravery needed most in the new era of austerity politics is the courage to stand up for what is right. Bobby Halton has demonstrated to all of us that principal and personal sacrifice must trump what is politically expedient. This resolve is what makes us Americans.

This month we had the honor to sit down with Connecticut State Chairman of the Republican Party Jerry Labriola. Mr. Labriola is a leader who projects a consistent set of values and is a friend to the fire service. His team is committed to efficient government and conservative values that have made this country great.

On March 5^th 1770 the Boston Massacre occurred when quartered British troops fired on a mob of unarmed colonist killing five. The British troops were held and charged with murder. Finding an attorney to take up the defense of the troops was a trying endeavor. Any lawyer who stepped up knew they would be viewed as a loyalist and a trader to the cause of freedom.

One patriot stood up knowing his reputation and ability to earn a living could suffer. His wife was shunned in the market and his devotion to freedom was questioned. This attorney was a man of principle. He represented the troops despite the risks to career and family. Remember this was a time when it was common for the mob to tar and feather those who aided the crown.

His argument was not based off rhetoric, it was based on the truth that an unruly mob with clubs surrounded and instigated the out numbered troops. The attorney stated, “Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” The result was just, seven soldiers were acquitted and two were charged with manslaughter avoiding the death penalty.

Firefighters have this same courage to stand out front. We will strive to do what is right even when there is a political cost. Our democracy only works when we participate in it. Our membership is made up of Libertarians, Democrats, Republicans and the disenchanted. More than anything else firefighters as a constituency are issue advocates for our service. Simply put, issues that affect our service touch the community and we will back those who back us!

When talking to Jerry I was blown away to learn that our state lobbyist did not have an established relationship with him. Relationships are key to political survival and when you reach out before issues arise you will find common ground on many of our values and principles. The fact is most of our members are conservatives and despite ones politics the fire services actions transcend partisan politics.

We talked about how we could all do a better job at reaching out and educating our political leaders. We accomplish more when we work with management and our elected leaders. However make no mistake about it we should never allow politicians or management to place our members in harms way or break their promises. Our service must hold them accountable.

Republicans do not view the fire service as the same as other labor. Even in anti Labor states like Wisconsin, Governor Walker cut firefighters and cops out of his anti collective bargaining law. When Ohio Republicans took on collective bargaining they learned the hard way that the public understands that the fire service is different. Almost every citizen has had a loved one touched by our service.

Be it a heart attack, motor vehicle accident, medical emergency, rescue or fire our members get there first with only one goal, to help. No other service can compare to the work of our members. Ohio’s initiative was shot down. Charles Krauthammer from FOX News and the Washington Post commented that it was a “Hugh tactical error to include firefighters.”

Connecticut State Chairman of the Republican Party Jerry Labriola made it clear that firefighters, cops and the military are different and should be treated as such. Under Jerry’s leadership I see state relationships improving helping firefighters and Republicans. Our members need to see that the party tent is big enough for us all. This does not mean we will always agree, however open dialog breeds respect and understanding.

While Democrats say they are the party of labor. A closer look will make you question this line of thinking. Firefighters have been on the front line against attacks on individual liberty by this administration. Liberals continue to promote social engineering in our profession and society with a blatant disregard of merit. We have witnessed English becoming a second language in the inner cities leading to the exploitation of hard working families. Failed trade policies and over regulations have severed as a catalyst resulting in loss of tax base and manufacturing jobs.

Mr. Labriola pointed to the struggling economy and failed policies under President Obama as the source of pressure on our pensions and way of life as Americans. When the economy and markets improve the effect on city budgets is directly impacted. Our role is to get involved. We cannot sit on the sidelines and hope for the best. We must stand with our values and principles the same way the attorney for the soldiers did. He new that if he sat it out and allowed an injustice to go forward it would be a greater tragedy.

This lawyer became the second President of the United States John Adams. He wrote in his diary about his decision to defend the soldiers “procured me Anxiety, and Obloquy enough. It was, however, one of the most gallant, generous, manly, and disinterested Actions of my whole Life, and one of the best Pieces of Service I ever rendered my Country. Judgment of Death against those Soldiers would have been as foul a Stain upon this Country as the Execution of the Quakers or Witches, anciently. As the Evidence was, the Verdict of the Jury was exactly right."

Next Time on Politics and Tactics: Initial Radio Reports and SCBA confidence training. Call in and be apart of the show.

Link to Last Show:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/fireengineeringtalkradio/2012/02/14/episode-208-politics-tactics - .T0pj3xXKCk4.email

Hating up Close

Politics and Tactics by Frank Ricci

February 13th 2012 show

Hating up Close,

It has been said that it is hard to hate up close. Many times we often avoid situations that make us feel uncomfortable to our own detriment. I learned this lesson the hard way once I got promoted. One night I was detailed to another fire station. Not being familiar with the crew, especially the driver made me feel uneasy. This shift was not eating dinner together so I checked out my equipment and went into my office. On our first alarm the driver was no help! I had an alone feeling as I fumbled through the map book like a fool to get the address and locate the nearest hydrant.

In the front, communication is so important. While it is the drivers primary responsibility to get the crew to the alarm safely and the officers primary responsibility to get you back alive and uninjured. The initial communication is critical to both ends. It is like trying to set a table after dinner is served. Looking at the clock with dread that night could not end soon enough for me.

Without knowing it at the time I made the mistake of not reaching out to the shift. Familiarity breaks down barriers and makes the team stronger. I am a firm believer that eating together is key to our success as a unit. If the shift is not eating take a few moments to talk to each person on the shift. Chances are that if you have a little apprehension, the shift is probably experiencing the same thing.

Two weeks later I was running for office and visited with each shift in the city. It was time to enter that same house and shift. The exchange went great. Just by sitting down and talking I realized that my apprehension was misplaced.

The next month I got the call to fill in at the same station. I was welcome with open arms. When the first alarm struck I pulled my self up and as I started for the map book I heard a phrase I am used to "Lou, I am all set the hydrant is at the corner just past the building if you want to reverse?" I smiled, verified the address in the book and we went to work. This was the same driver that I had before with a different attitude. The lesson is clear as a leader it is your job to set the example and reach out. That fire house and the one I am assigned to could not be more different. You must realize as a covering officer when dealing with different internal cultures your not going to change the culture overnight. However your attitude will effect the operations of the entire crew take the time to get to know your crew even if it is for one night. Be sure to call into our show on Feb 13th.