Comments on: Idiot Replacement Theory http://firegeezer.com/2009/08/01/idiot-replacement-theory/ The Fire/EMS Digital Dayroom Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:09:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Bob Ridgeway http://firegeezer.com/2009/08/01/idiot-replacement-theory/comment-page-1/#comment-3243 Bob Ridgeway Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:05:31 +0000 http://www.firegeezer.com/?p=13318#comment-3243 Mike; Excellent editorial on the historical perspective of fire service management, i.e. 'the more things change, the more they remain the same'. From my perspective (40 + years in the business), we have always had some excellent and forward-thinking officers in the profession, regadless of their educational level. Conversely, we have always had some real losers: a few idiots, some hard-headed and/or close-minded folks, and even some who were just plain friggin' stupid. But for the most part, the officers that I have been associated with over my career have been good, compasionate, and caring people who genuinely wanted to do a good job, and who cared about their people. Let's hope it remains that way in the future. - Bob R. Mike;
Excellent editorial on the historical perspective of fire service management, i.e. ‘the more things change, the more they remain the same’. From my perspective (40 + years in the business), we have always had some excellent and forward-thinking officers in the profession, regadless of their educational level. Conversely, we have always had some real losers: a few idiots, some hard-headed and/or close-minded folks, and even some who were just plain friggin’ stupid. But for the most part, the officers that I have been associated with over my career have been good, compasionate, and caring people who genuinely wanted to do a good job, and who cared about their people. Let’s hope it remains that way in the future.
- Bob R.

]]> By: Bob Ridgeway http://firegeezer.com/2009/08/01/idiot-replacement-theory/comment-page-1/#comment-14946 Bob Ridgeway Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:05:00 +0000 http://www.firegeezer.com/?p=13318#comment-14946 Mike; Excellent editorial on the historical perspective of fire service management, i.e. 'the more things change, the more they remain the same'. From my perspective (40 + years in the business), we have always had some excellent and forward-thinking officers in the profession, regadless of their educational level. Conversely, we have always had some real losers: a few idiots, some hard-headed and/or close-minded folks, and even some who were just plain friggin' stupid. But for the most part, the officers that I have been associated with over my career have been good, compasionate, and caring people who genuinely wanted to do a good job, and who cared about their people. Let's hope it remains that way in the future. - Bob R. Mike;
Excellent editorial on the historical perspective of fire service management, i.e. ‘the more things change, the more they remain the same’. From my perspective (40 + years in the business), we have always had some excellent and forward-thinking officers in the profession, regadless of their educational level. Conversely, we have always had some real losers: a few idiots, some hard-headed and/or close-minded folks, and even some who were just plain friggin’ stupid. But for the most part, the officers that I have been associated with over my career have been good, compasionate, and caring people who genuinely wanted to do a good job, and who cared about their people. Let’s hope it remains that way in the future.
- Bob R.

]]> By: Mike Love http://firegeezer.com/2009/08/01/idiot-replacement-theory/comment-page-1/#comment-3242 Mike Love Sun, 02 Aug 2009 01:27:17 +0000 http://www.firegeezer.com/?p=13318#comment-3242 Of course the other end of the spectrum has every generation of senior firefighter/officer complain about the lack dedication, motivation, interest, bravery, etc. of every new batch. Every generation criticizes the older idiots then reflects on the new losers. Its a tradition and I'll bet its been going on since they pulled hose wagons to the fire. Of course the other end of the spectrum has every generation of senior firefighter/officer complain about the lack dedication, motivation, interest, bravery, etc. of every new batch. Every generation criticizes the older idiots then reflects on the new losers. Its a tradition and I’ll bet its been going on since they pulled hose wagons to the fire.

]]> By: Mike Love http://firegeezer.com/2009/08/01/idiot-replacement-theory/comment-page-1/#comment-14945 Mike Love Sun, 02 Aug 2009 01:27:00 +0000 http://www.firegeezer.com/?p=13318#comment-14945 Of course the other end of the spectrum has every generation of senior firefighter/officer complain about the lack dedication, motivation, interest, bravery, etc. of every new batch. Every generation criticizes the older idiots then reflects on the new losers. Its a tradition and I'll bet its been going on since they pulled hose wagons to the fire. Of course the other end of the spectrum has every generation of senior firefighter/officer complain about the lack dedication, motivation, interest, bravery, etc. of every new batch. Every generation criticizes the older idiots then reflects on the new losers. Its a tradition and I’ll bet its been going on since they pulled hose wagons to the fire.

]]> By: Dal90 http://firegeezer.com/2009/08/01/idiot-replacement-theory/comment-page-1/#comment-3241 Dal90 Sun, 02 Aug 2009 00:32:23 +0000 http://www.firegeezer.com/?p=13318#comment-3241 It is one thing I'm curious to see... We know there's lots of resistance to change, history repeating, etc (the whole "200 years of tradition unimpeded by progress...). But we also know progress does occur. A lot of progress, even if some areas are just catching up to 1988. (Seriously, sending an engine with the paperwork to HQ everday? Hello, fax machines?) We also know some problems are more noticeable today. Firefighter arson, for example. I don't think for a moment firefighter arson is more prevalent today then 20, 40 years ago. It is likely it occurs less. But we know about it a lot more. Same thing with LODDs -- what used to be a small "In memory of" listing in Firehouse magazine three months after the fact is now a new post in Firehouse.com thirty minutes into the incident. While maybe on 10% of firefighters are online regularly, does the internet provide a way for collective wisdom that used to sink in only with experience -- like the Internet Replacement Theory -- get spread sooner and wider to the young bucks so they learn faster from the past generation's mistakes? It is one thing I’m curious to see…

We know there’s lots of resistance to change, history repeating, etc (the whole “200 years of tradition unimpeded by progress…).

But we also know progress does occur. A lot of progress, even if some areas are just catching up to 1988. (Seriously, sending an engine with the paperwork to HQ everday? Hello, fax machines?)

We also know some problems are more noticeable today. Firefighter arson, for example. I don’t think for a moment firefighter arson is more prevalent today then 20, 40 years ago. It is likely it occurs less.

But we know about it a lot more. Same thing with LODDs — what used to be a small “In memory of” listing in Firehouse magazine three months after the fact is now a new post in Firehouse.com thirty minutes into the incident.

While maybe on 10% of firefighters are online regularly, does the internet provide a way for collective wisdom that used to sink in only with experience — like the Internet Replacement Theory — get spread sooner and wider to the young bucks so they learn faster from the past generation’s mistakes?

]]> By: Dal90 http://firegeezer.com/2009/08/01/idiot-replacement-theory/comment-page-1/#comment-14944 Dal90 Sun, 02 Aug 2009 00:32:00 +0000 http://www.firegeezer.com/?p=13318#comment-14944 It is one thing I'm curious to see... We know there's lots of resistance to change, history repeating, etc (the whole "200 years of tradition unimpeded by progress...). But we also know progress does occur. A lot of progress, even if some areas are just catching up to 1988. (Seriously, sending an engine with the paperwork to HQ everday? Hello, fax machines?) We also know some problems are more noticeable today. Firefighter arson, for example. I don't think for a moment firefighter arson is more prevalent today then 20, 40 years ago. It is likely it occurs less. But we know about it a lot more. Same thing with LODDs -- what used to be a small "In memory of" listing in Firehouse magazine three months after the fact is now a new post in Firehouse.com thirty minutes into the incident. While maybe on 10% of firefighters are online regularly, does the internet provide a way for collective wisdom that used to sink in only with experience -- like the Internet Replacement Theory -- get spread sooner and wider to the young bucks so they learn faster from the past generation's mistakes? It is one thing I’m curious to see…

We know there’s lots of resistance to change, history repeating, etc (the whole “200 years of tradition unimpeded by progress…).

But we also know progress does occur. A lot of progress, even if some areas are just catching up to 1988. (Seriously, sending an engine with the paperwork to HQ everday? Hello, fax machines?)

We also know some problems are more noticeable today. Firefighter arson, for example. I don’t think for a moment firefighter arson is more prevalent today then 20, 40 years ago. It is likely it occurs less.

But we know about it a lot more. Same thing with LODDs — what used to be a small “In memory of” listing in Firehouse magazine three months after the fact is now a new post in Firehouse.com thirty minutes into the incident.

While maybe on 10% of firefighters are online regularly, does the internet provide a way for collective wisdom that used to sink in only with experience — like the Internet Replacement Theory — get spread sooner and wider to the young bucks so they learn faster from the past generation’s mistakes?

]]> By: FossilMedic http://firegeezer.com/2009/08/01/idiot-replacement-theory/comment-page-1/#comment-3240 FossilMedic Sat, 01 Aug 2009 22:21:42 +0000 http://www.firegeezer.com/?p=13318#comment-3240 Thanks Joe, Also thanks to Brad for catching a typo (!!) I think the fossil needs stronger glasses :) Thanks Joe,

Also thanks to Brad for catching a typo (!!) I think the fossil needs stronger glasses :)

]]> By: FossilMedic http://firegeezer.com/2009/08/01/idiot-replacement-theory/comment-page-1/#comment-14943 FossilMedic Sat, 01 Aug 2009 22:21:00 +0000 http://www.firegeezer.com/?p=13318#comment-14943 Thanks Joe, Also thanks to Brad for catching a typo (!!) I think the fossil needs stronger glasses :) Thanks Joe,

Also thanks to Brad for catching a typo (!!) I think the fossil needs stronger glasses :)

]]> By: Joe Swift http://firegeezer.com/2009/08/01/idiot-replacement-theory/comment-page-1/#comment-3239 Joe Swift Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:59:01 +0000 http://www.firegeezer.com/?p=13318#comment-3239 Nice editorial Mike, Current and right on. Just a fine example of history repeting itself. Joe Swift Nice editorial Mike, Current and right on. Just a fine example of history repeting itself.

Joe Swift

]]> By: Joe Swift http://firegeezer.com/2009/08/01/idiot-replacement-theory/comment-page-1/#comment-14942 Joe Swift Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:59:00 +0000 http://www.firegeezer.com/?p=13318#comment-14942 Nice editorial Mike, Current and right on. Just a fine example of history repeting itself. Joe Swift Nice editorial Mike, Current and right on. Just a fine example of history repeting itself.

Joe Swift

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