Pelican Hook and Ladder Co.

Taken from
http://cms.firehouse.com/web/online/Commentary-and-Features/Discipline–A-View-for-the-New-Leader/16$63123

Posted: 03-18-2009
Updated: 04-01-2009 11:32:35 AM

HARRY R. CARTER
Firehouse.Com Contributor

Every organization needs discipline. It serves to keep everyone focused and effective. Unfortunately, far too many people only think of the punishment side of the disciplinary coin. However, insufficient time is spent teaching people about the positive aspects of training organizational members to follow their fire department’s rules and regulations.

George (1985) speaks of discipline as, “any action that attempts to generate compliance with rules and regulations” (p.162). As a child growing up in the America of the 1950’s, my brother and I had a more than passing interaction with the concept of discipline. My parents were from the old school. They had this solid belief that orders from a parent were something which was to be obeyed without question.

Their approach to raising my brother and me was, to the best of my knowledge, no different than that to which any of my friends was subjected. We grew up believing that you were supposed to do what you were told to do. As you might imagine my inquisitive approach to life began at an early age.

It was my way to ask a great many questions in order to engage in learning. The question most often put forth by my brother Bob and me was “why?” The answer most often provided by mom and dad was “because.” As best I can gather both mom and dad were raised in a similar way by my grandparents.

The value of my strict upbringing became apparent during my tour of duty in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam Conflict. It did not take too long for me to note that obeying the drill instructor in basic training paid dividends. I also had a role to play in the disciplinary aspects of basic training. As the dorm chief for Flight 309 at Amarillo Air Force Base in 1966, it was my job to help my mates find the right direction during those times when the drill instructor was not around.

There were those folks in that group who understood that the easiest way to make it through the six-week training period was to suck it up and do what you are told to do. This was by far the larger percentage of Flight 309. Of course, there were those who challenged the authority of the powers that be. Not only did they get in trouble, they usually involved the rest of us in the mix, just because we were there too. In spite of their best efforts all of us eventually graduated from basic.

Actually my military career spanned many years in our nation’s active and reserve forces. As you might imagine, I could never have made it through a career in the military and a career in the Newark, NJ, Fire Department if I was a person who failed to obey orders. While discipline is a necessary element in every type of organization, it is a difficult task for most people in leadership positions to apply the principles of discipline. Too many want to be liked, rather than be effective.

According to IFSTA (2007), “…discipline in the fire and emergency services is designed to :

Educate and train
Correct inappropriate behavior
Provide positive motivation
Ensure compliance with established policies, rules, regulations, standards and procedures
Provide direction (p. 619).
Sadly very few people pay attention to discipline until something goes wrong and a rule or regulation has been violated. Most of us like to think that our people will do a good job and that we will never be called upon to smack someone on the knuckles with the departmental disciplinary ruler. Most of us like to think that we can govern our organizations according to the rule of reason. Such is not always the case.

There have been students in a number of my classes who asked me why I did not concentrate more on the topic of discipline. I usually mention to these folks that it is my practice to emphasize the positive concepts of motivation in order to gain compliance from one’s subordinates. As a person who practiced the servant leadership style of supervision, I always felt it was important to take care of the troops who had been entrusted to my care.

In retrospect, I may have erred just a bit in this practice. No matter how hard I worked to motivate my firefighters and officers, there were failures. This is a factor of human relations. Some people have the innate capacity for being a “dumb-ass.” Perhaps I should have been a bit tougher. I want to offer that thought to you as a guide for your future consideration. In spite of my best efforts, there were times when I actually had to go to the rulebook, review its contents, and then enforce its provisions, as the situation dictated.

As I recall, I only had to place three people on actual written administrative disciplinary charges during my 22 years as a captain and battalion chief in Newark. In hindsight, I look at each of these instances as a failure on my part to motivate these folks and provide them with the necessary insight into my approach to the delivery of fire department services. Or, it is possible that they might just have been the “dumb-assess” I mentioned above.

More often than not, I used the administrative prerogatives available to me within my battalion district to handle the occasional “problem children.” It is amazing how easy it is to get people’s attention by altering their work environment ever so slightly. I made it a practice to detail the occasional problem children to other fire stations in my district. This served to get their attention. Normally, I only had to do this once.

In line with this approach, I had specific captains that I trusted to bring a bit of order into the chaotic lives of these occasional offenders. These temporary changes in locale usually lasted for no more than two or three weeks. Once people see that you are serious about creating an orderly workplace, they generally fall in line with the program. When you begin to see the growth and development of an attitude of self-disciple within the organization, things will usually begin to work much better.

An effective leader should work to create an environment wherein self-discipline becomes the excepted manner of operating. How can you, as the newly promoted (or elected) leader of your group, create this environment wherein people realize that there are rules and it is best to obey them? Let me offer the following steps for your consideration:

Make sure that all of your people are aware of and understand the rules. Although ignorance is not an excuse for violating the rules, it is up to you to make sure that everyone knows the rules of the game. In this way you remove ignorance as an excuse.
Remain calm. Never lose your temper. Once you lose your temper, you will lose the battle. If you think you are about to pop your cork, stop the disciplinary action until you regain control of yourself.
Investigate the situation and get all the facts before making any decision and taking any action. You cannot ignore those who break the rules, but be sure you have your facts straight before starting the process.
Always take the time to explain your actions. People appreciate the fact that you are taking the time to outline your case. This will require you to have the facts.
Take disciplinary action in private. There is but one exception to this rule. When someone challenges you in front of other firefighters, or defies an order in the presence of anyone. You have to act quickly to nip this sort of action in the bud. Failure to stop such conduct short in its tracks can seriously weaken your position as your group’s leader.
Be consistent in enforcing the rules. Nobody likes to see the boss play favorites. That can tear a team apart.
Be firm, but fair.
Always express your confidence that the person will not be involved in violating the rules in the future. You are attempting to teach the person how to do their job correctly, not simply berate them or belittle them for your own enjoyment.
Advise your people on how to appeal any decisions you have made. Explain the rules and outline the procedures.
Lastly, you should set the example. Be a living and breathing model of how all rules should be obeyed. I remember one fire chief who suspended himself when he failed to achieve the required weight-control standards he had set for his organization.
It is important to remember that at the fire station, company, or individual unit level you will have a great responsibility to train and develop your team. The same holds true in districts, battalions, and divisions. The new leader in any given role will be under the gun to establish their form on command and control. People will test you and people will challenge you.

The wise leader does not take the bait when people attempt to challenge them. The key to success is to maintain an even disposition and a calm demeanor when challenged. If you can keep your head when others around you are losing theirs, you will gain control of the situation and demonstrate your true talents as a leader.

In conclusion, I want to urge you to remember that discipline is just another form of training. Utilize it as you would any other type of training. Use it as needed and do not abuse your prerogatives. If you fail to create an environment wherein people understand the rules, obey the rules, and play by the rules, then you will become the captain of a sinking organizational ship.

Know the rules. Enforce the rules. Obey the rules yourself. It will pay great dividends.

——————————————————————————–

HARRY R. CARTER, Ph.D., CFO, MIFireE, a Firehouse.com Contributing Editor, is a municipal fire protection consultant based in Adelphia, NJ. Dr. Carter retired from the Newark, NJ, Fire Department and is a past chief and active life member of the Adelphia Fire Company. He recently published Leadership: A View from the Trenches and Living My Dream: Dr. Harry Carter’s 2006 FIRE Act Road Trip, which was also the subject of a Firehouse.com blog To read Harry’s complete biography and view his archived articles, click here. You can reach Harry by e-mail at drharrycarter@optonline.net.

FDNY Lt. Ray McCormack claimed the fire service needed a “culture of extinguishment not safety” during a keynote speech to FDIC on Thursday. In a hard-hitting address, Lt. McCormack criticized today’s leadership, and said too much emphasis is being placed on firefighter safety. “Too much safety makes Johnny a poor leader and a terrible rescuer,” he said. Lt. McCormack said firefighters are being taught to place their safety above all else, and said the lives of civilians could be put at risk because of it. “Attempting to make the job safer by teaching you to place yourself above those in need is wrong and goes against everything the fire service has ever stood for,” he said. Firefighters should be willing to risk their lives to save total strangers, he added. “When a parent meets you outside their house and their precious child is inside trapped, you’re their last hope,” Lt. McCormack said. “If it was easy, someone else would’ve done it already.” If firefighters stop taking risks when needed to save lives, the fire service faces “falling from public grace” and the “loss of our identity.” Lt. McCormack, a 27-year veteran of the FDNY, said the best way of achieving safety for everyone is simply extinguishing the fire. “If you put out the fire, safety is accomplished for everyone on the fireground,” he said

April 25, 2009
A recent outbreak of the flu in Mexico has been linked to cases of flu in Canada and the United States by the World Health Organization. The EMS Chiefs of Canada are leading a process to identify and disseminate key strategies for EMS organizations to implement to protect their paramedics and to be public health partners in managing the care of the sick.
This is the second time the EMSCC’s Membership Services Committee has coordinated a national teleconference series during outbreaks, the first was for the 2003 SARS outbreak. Lessons learned by Toronto EMS from the SARS outbreak in 2003 demonstrate the critical period for the outbreak will continue until the end of May. Select international agencies were invited to attend yesterday’s EMSCC national discussions for the first time. The National EMS Management Association, FirstWatch and the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch are participating in EMSCC’s process.
There are a number of strategies that EMS agencies should put in place to identify potential victims, protect their paramedics, provide excellent patient care and participate in the public health process.
EMSCC will continue to facilitate national discussions between its members and guests until the event is concluded; continuing to identify trends, sharing best practices and disseminating information to the EMS community at large. Individual agencies are asked to share their experiences, policies, procedures and other relevant information through their respective organization.
A conference call led by EMSCC yesterday revealed the following practices being implemented. Reference documents will be made available soon.

By Administrators:

 *   Notification to staff of the emerging problem.
 *   Reviewing and updating local plans.
 *   Daily communication with hospitals and public health departments.
 *   Monitoring news reports and government resources, such as:
   *   the Public Health Agency of Canada
(www.publichealth.gc.ca)
   *   the Centers for Disease Control
(www.cdc.gov)
   *   www.pandemicflu.gov
   *   www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm58d0424a1.htm
   *   www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/recommendations.htm

By Paramedics:

 *   Requesting more information from dispatchers when sent to respiratory, sick person and fever related calls if limited initial information is provided upon dispatch.
 *   Initial interrogation of the patient from at least 2 meters (6.5
feet) away to determine if personal protective equipment precautions are necessary.
 *   Recommended PPE for taking care of ill/potentially infected patients includes: disposable gowns, gloves, goggles/face shields and
N95 or better respirators. PPE should be donned and doffed according to published guidelines to prevent cross contamination, including eye and gown protection when splash or airborne contamination is possible.
 *   Placing a mask on all patients with suspected symptoms, using filtered oxygen masks when available, or non-rebreather masks when oxygen is required. Droplet producing procedures should be avoided whenever possible including nebulizers, bag-valve-mask, suctioning or intubation. If bag-valve-masks are needed, use those with HEPA filters whenever possible.
 *   Alert receiving hospital personnel of the possibility of an infectious patient as soon as possible and hold suspected infectious patients in the ambulance until their destination in the hospital is known, rather than immediately moving them into the emergency room.
 *   Perform a thorough cleaning of the stretcher and all equipment that has come in contact with or been within 2 meters (6.5 feet) with an approved disinfectant, upon completion of the call.

By Dispatchers:

 *   When using ProQA software flagging MPDS protocols 6, 10, 18 and
26 for further interrogation, and using the drop down SRI (severe respiratory infection [flu-like] symptoms) screen to obtain, at a minimum, the following:
   *   Have they recently been in Mexico or been exposed to anyone that has been in Mexico, and how long the person was in Mexico (paying particular attention to those who stayed for 7 days or longer)?
   *   Are they febrile or have a fever, and if so, is it higher than 38° C (101°F)?
   *   Do they have a cough or any other respiratory symptoms like difficulty breathing?
 *   For dispatch centers not using ProQA software (paper-based cards only), gathering the above information from all callers on protocol cards 6, 10, 18 and 26.
 *   For dispatch centers not using cards or software, include the questions above when the caller reports flu, breathing difficulty or fever.
 *   Dispatchers should report the responses to these questions to the paramedics before they arrive on the scene.

The worst cases of flu that have presented so far have been mostly adults from ages 25 to 45, but patients of all ages have been infected, so the same precautions should be used for all patients.

From FF Closecalls.com

While we shouldn’t be surprised as Firefighters and we should, at this stage of the game, understand that nearly EVERYTHING in today’s structures off-gases toxins when burning, our friends in communist China bring us “just one more thing” to be concerned about. Chinese drywall, used in about 100,000 or more homes in numerous states may be the culprit in causing sickness and illness to those around it. So naturally, when some of “our friends” and the homebuilders associations build these homes, it gives us, as Firefighters “just one more thing to be concerned about”.

Here is a news link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCxRWi67AuM

Now while there is little we can immediately do to stop the drywall problem (google: Chinese drywall, the CPSC and others are on this issue) and it appears that some homebuilder associations continue to get very angry at the very thought of sprinkler-ing their match stick personal lumber yard dwellings, we can do something about the potentially cancer causing off-gassing issues from drywall and most other stuff at fires:

=Don’t breathe that crap. Ever.

=No Exposed Skin. None.

=Get the soot off of you and your PPE as soon as you get back to quarters. Always.

=Don’t allow that crap on your skin-as your skin will absorb that crap. Everytime.

Cancer is a disease that is of particular concern for members of the fire service. A number of previous studies have identified several cancers for which fire fighters are at increased risk.

Due to recent shortfalls in the Louisiana State budget, Louisiana State University at Eunice has increased requirements on enrollments for courses. Courses must have a minimum number of students enrolled or the course will be canceled. In an effort to offer the best options to our department, please review your degree plan or the LSUE website to determine which course in the Fire and Emergency Services curriculum would best serve you. Contact me via email or phone and let me know which course or courses you desire so that we can request the course or courses from LSUE that are best suited for us. Please take the time to review and get back to me.

So far these are the courses that have been suggested.

FOSC 1102 Hazmat I
FSCI2152 Fire Department Occ. Safety

You may access more information on courses from www.lsue.edu/fes or the www.pelicanhookandladder.com

James R. Wood, Training Officer

Often times leadership is associated with position. Although there are many positions that greatly desire leadership, position does not guarantee leadership competencies. Position only grants power, and without leadership, that power is minimal. Those that hold leadership competencies look to the future as a challenge. Those in power view it as inevitable event. In our system, you need only hang around long enough to be promoted. Although seniority has merits in some discussions, the development of leaders is not one. Many people make the mistake of attributing experience to seniority. Years of service does not make the whole of the components that qualify as experience. To be considered experienced, a person must be one that continuously evolves the way they do something. In the fire service for example, those that continuously train and seek out better ways of accomplishing tasks are going to be more experienced. This is because they have a diverse knowledge of tactics, strategies, skills and abilities. Considering the constants of our promotion system, the development of leadership competencies is very simple to obtain. I challenge any to set goals for themselves and work to obtain them. If you idly sit by and wait your turn then there is a good chance you are not developing necessary skills to be a leader. You are simple waiting for your turn in a position. Leaders leave thing better than the found them. To leave something better then you found it, you must improve it or over time it becomes obsolete. In our department, many confuse leadership with popularity. The two can complement each other, but you can be an excellent leader without being popular. Leaders have the strength to make hard decision. Leaders are not afraid to discipline because they understand that lack of discipline is dangerous and reduces morale. They do not ignore problems or divert responsibility for them. They also do not stand in the way of progress, they may steer it, channel it, but never block it. If you our making you decision based on popularity polls, then you are probably a poor leader. Improving our leadership is essential if we are to hold ourselves more accountable. Do not be afraid to give constructive criticism. In our department we are accomplished and proficient in many areas. Sometimes we do a bad job and when that happens someone needs to speak up and say, we can do better, we will do better next time.

Attitude
By: Charles Swindoll

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company…a church…a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past…we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude…I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

And so it is with you…we are in charge of our attitudes.

Are you a fireman or an employee of the Baton Rouge Fire Department?
The fireman is always a part of the answer;
The employee is always part of the problem.
The fireman always has an action;
The employee always has a excuse.
The fireman says, “LET ME DO IT FOR YOU”;
The employee says “That’s not my job.”
The fireman Sees an answer for every problem;
The employee sees a problem for every answer.
The fireman sees a green near every sand trap;
The employee sees a sand trap near every green.
The fireman says, “it may be difficult but it’s possible”;
The employee says, “it may be possible, but it’s too difficult.”
The fireman works harder then an employee and has more time.
The employee is always “too busy” to do what is necessary.
The fireman makes COMMITMENTS!
The employee makes Promises.

Person Down in Auto/New way to commit suicide
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - Recently a new way to commit suicide has been discovered by mixing two chemicals that can be bought over the counter at local stores. They are Bonide – a sulfur spray used as an insecticide for fruit trees and hydrochloric (muriatic) acid. Once mixed, the chemicals produce heat and a flammable, noxious gas that causes the subject to pass out and the heart stop within minutes. The process appears to be quick and painless. Two recent cases, one in Pasadena, California and the other at Lake Allatoona in Bartow County, Georgia, involved young men in their early 20’s. Both were found locked inside their cars with the chemicals. Each left a note on the car warning anyone around of danger. The car at Lake Allatoona had been taped to prevent gas from escaping.

Does this sound like a routine call that most of us would respond to and take similar action?

It’s Sunday morning 0730 hours, you respond to a person down in auto. You locate a car in the empty parking lot of a business. The engine and med unit pull up near the vehicle and personnel see a person inside that appears to be asleep or unconscious. Wearing safety glasses and medical gloves, you walk up to the car and knock on the window.

The patient does not respond to your knock on the window, and the doors are locked.

What action will you take? Will you hurry to make patient access? Will you use a lockout tool, center punch, or halligan to make entry?

You make access, a rush of warm air comes out of the vehicle and you smell a sharp odor. You have just become a victim and have been exposed to a noxious possibly fatal gas.

http://firefighterclosecalls.com/averted.php

Some recent questions have been raised regarding EMT certifications. The questions were in response to the Louisiana Bureau of EMS requirements to disclose one’s criminal background. I have some answers that may clear up some miss conceptions.

The LA Bureau of EMS application asks the following questions:

Have you been arrested? You must check “Yes” if you have ever been booked in to jail or detail and released with a summons by law enforcement. Arrest includes misdemeanor summons to appear in court. If you are required to appear before a judge, then you have been arrested. Minor traffic violations do not require a “Yes” check. However, numerous violations that cause intervention by the courts may require disclosure to the Bureau of EMS.

Have you received a DUI/DWI violation? Self explanatory.

Are there any criminal charges pending against you? Self explanatory.

Are you on probation or parole? Self explanatory.

Have you had any voluntary surrender, disciplinary action, consent order or settlement imposed or is any disciplinary action pending on your license/certification in any state (including Louisiana) or jurisdiction? Note: Employer disciplinary actions can be used for disciplinary action against your certification especially when dealing with scope of practice and standard of care issues.

Have you had other than honorable discharged from the military? i.e. General, Dishonorable, Medical, etc

Have you been named in a civil/malpractice case relating to your employment as a health care worker? Have you had clinical privileges suspended, revoked or limited? Self explanatory.

Have you had or have a physical, mental or emotional condition that might affect your ability to practice safely as a certified EMT? Self explanatory.

Have you ever been charged with or convicted of a felony?
Note: Even though an arrest or conviction has been pardoned, expunged, dismisses, or deferred, and your civil rights have been restored, you must answer “Yes” and attached certified copies of criminal record(s).

Bottom line is if you have been arrested then you must check “Yes”. Failure to report shows an issue with integrity and may bring a harsher penalty then the arrest in regards to your EMT certification. The day may be approaching when the commission will perform random background checks on EMTs. Also someone could report you to the Bureau which may be followed up by an investigation. Either way self reporting is always better.

If you do check “Yes”, what happens now?
You will fill out a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bureau of EMS. You will need to collect all available court documents and records and submit the records with a personal letter from yourself explaining the event in your own words. Submit to the Bureau who forwards to the Certification commission. Those documents and your letter are reviewed by the Louisiana EMS Certification Commission which determine what action if any to take. The Commission has the power to suspend, place on probation, terminate or add restrictions to any EMT’s certification. Annually, the Commission reviews numerous applications and renewal applications with arrests and convictions and rarely denies or terminates certification. The Commission may place EMTs on probation and may require extra measures to keep practicing such as drug testing (hair or urine), counseling, etc.

An arrest does not mean you lose your certification. There are numerous EMTs with arrest and convictions. The goal of the commission is not to air your dirty laundry or get into your business. It is charged with ensuring that the State’s EMS providers adhere to a high level of professionalism and provide a high standard of care to patients. It is to protect the public.

Think about it, if a person has numerous arrest for theft, violence, or drug usage would you trust them or want them in your relative’s house at 2 a.m.

For further questions feel free to contact the Training Division or the Bureau of EMS.

First and foremost a belated Happy New Year, 2009 has started off fast and hasn’t slowed down.  In January, as we have for the last few years we are starting off with firefighter safety and survival.  We have to take care of ourselves and each other before we can take care of the public.  Heart attacks and motor vehicle collisions continue to be responsible for the majority of firefighter line of duty deaths.  With this in mind find ways to reduce your stress, eat healthy and exercise.  Wear your seatbelts and drive defensively, remember lights and sirens only request the right of way.  Slow down; stop at all red lights and stop signs, its better to arrive safe than not at all.

            We have several new training tools we will slowly work into the training schedule.  Our newest purchase is a pumping simulator to help in our goal to train competent and confident F.E.O s.  This simulator is computer controlled and can run an F.E.O. through several different scenarios from busted lines to adding additional lines to emergency shut downs.  We have also compiled a professional reading library.  We have over fifty different titles and fifteen different DVDs available for check-out.  If you are studying for a promotional test or a certification test or just want to sharpen your knowledge on a subject come check it out.  We are in the transition phase of moving to a new computer program to track training.  It is called Firehouse and has many different and useful applications.  Training, Arson and Prevention are making the move first and then the rest of the fire department.

            This Training Division wants and needs your input.  Give us a call, send us an e-mail, come in sit down and talk to us.  We are interested in what you have to say.  We work for you.

For those who are interested in taking courses for LSUE. It is highly recommended that you apply/register early as the State of Louisiana has mandatory budget cuts going into effect. This will certainly have some effect on class availability. The quicker more students fill up classes the better chances everyone will get the classes they desire. If you have any questions or would like some assistance, feel free to call the training division.