Confrontation at Task Force 1

Sounds like a day of wet drills is in their future. Followed by some 35 and 50 foot ladder drills. Cold lunch, then down to the tower for some Battalion based training. Then, at the end of the day, a reminder that roll call is at 8 AM sharp and leaving the rules and regulations book out for those who may not remember what roll call is.
Now they got training, a beating (work wise), and a taste of “punishment.” The next roll call will be perfect and we'll still drill, but not as much.

That's how I'd “win them over.”

Old School!

And he brought a video:
http://happymedic.com/2009/12/15/new-school-mee…

Without reading the other comments I'll offer my take; I might change my mind after weighing the opinions of my fellow readers.

They'd have a few shifts of learning the importance of cleanliness and order. Washing and waxing the apparatus, cleaning out the bay rafters, polishing all the chrome, cleaning out the store room, reloading hose, etc. It would go on until their lineup was up to snuff and their attitudes fixed. The junior officer and senior firefighter also deserve some serious conversations about the importance of setting examples.

These guys are playing a game and the answer is to give as good as you get. They want to know if you have the backbone so you should answer their question in no uncertain terms. Once that's established then you can back off a little. All slack should be founded on the principle that you don't owe them slack but rather hand it out for good performance.

I disagree that ignoring them or even playing along would set the right example.

That being said, you don't have to put on a big screaming act, either. That would only encourage the crew to misbehave.

Me, I would be simple: I would spray their boots off with a hose (should have one of those somewhere in a firehouse) while they stood at presentation. Then, I would explain that details are what must be paid attention to, as details will be what get you killed. Then I would dismiss the senior firefighter for the day, after explaining (in private) that his behavior was unacceptable, and every day that he had a repeat performance, he would be sent home. Today was free, but starting tomorrow he would lose pay and be written up.

All of this would be done while calm and unruffled. But the point is: my will will outlast your stubborness.

Hi Mac

Thanks for the response. The washing the shoes is an interesting response.

Love the statement “My will will outlast your stubborness.”

The first thing I would do is explain my expectations to my new company. Roll calls, training, equipment maintenance, assignments etc. I would also be very clear about the consequences of not meeting those expectations. It is obvious that their previous company officer had different standards and it would be unfair to discipline the company before they even know what is expected of them. I would then solicit their expectations of me and do my absolute best to meet them.

I think you are right that this is a “varsity-level” downtown fire station with experienced crews.

I *love* the Band of Brothers reference!

Firehat:

Giving as good as you get is a good perspective.

Another “Band of Brothers” reference, remember when non-coms all quit? The muntiny? All were sent back to easy except one, he was transfered. It may be time to “set the example” by taking the senior firefighter to task. With the incumbant talk about what is expected of him and why.

They all had there chance to “get it right” when given the 10 minutes. Obviously this isn't the Military and the company officer does not have the same recourse as a Military officer.

Regarfdless of how big the Department is, the Captain came to the Station with a reputation. We all do. We start earning ink (tatoos) the first day we come through the door, and we continue to get ink every day throughout our careers. Firefighters gossip worse the the Women's Society……Captain Allen was a known quantity when he walked through the door. Yet they still pushed. He pushed back and they pushed again…….it is time to make the formal and informal leaders know what is expected.

Thanks for the post.

What do you think about the junior officer (engine company Captain I) that has said nothing?

It seems the question that is asked here is whether Captain Allen is a jerk or is he a jake. Leadership which has the by product of commanding respect dictates that the firefighter would show up to roll call and not want to disappoint their Captain. An office can get compliance by being a dictator or a disciplinarian. He commands the respect of the firefighter by leadership skills and motivation. I do not see this as a tit for a tat but an opportunity to win their confidence by leadership skills. What would happen if he noted all of the deficiencies to them asked for a drink of the pop and said, tomorrow we will do better. Tomorrow he could stand at the locker room door and tell the firefighters not to bring the pop or return with clean shoes. There is a break in time in which time should be spent to command and be commanded. Save the discipline for when it matters and always be a leader.

Great post Gerald, I like the “is he a Jerk or Jake” question.

Mike

This is similar to a great line one of my lieutenants used to use on guys who just couldn't get with the program: “I have an endless amount of patience to sit here and watch you work.” And he meant it literally because he's sit in a chair reading the paper while he watched the offender up on a ladder with some Varsol scrubbing all eight bay doors by hand.

This is similar to a great line one of my lieutenants used to use on guys who just couldn't get with the program: “I have an endless amount of patience to sit here and watch you work.” And he meant it literally because he's sit in a chair reading the paper while he watched the offender up on a ladder with some Varsol scrubbing all eight bay doors by hand.