Exposed

Exposed…This job will expose you. You will only get out of this job what you put into it, and one day you will be exposed. You will be left there wondering and knowing that you could have done and performed better if you had only actually prepared and applied yourself. Seriously, we work in a career field full of risks, but hesitate to prepare for them. Why? 

For years I’ve heard “complacency kills” over and over. However, that’s not true. It’s you, it’s me, it’s us. It’s our lack of motivation and respect for the oath we took and the citizens we serve that kills. Complacency is just a result of a mindset that is dangerously adopted by many. 

You don’t think your weaknesses will be exposed? You can’t hide forever. Either they will be exposed to the few, or the masses. What will you do when that happens? Will you pout about it like a child; or see it as an opportunity to change? Hopefully the latter. 

You may not be exposed to other people. You may know your own weaknesses and choose to do nothing about them. Then, when something tragic happens who will you blame? Will you even be honest with yourself about your own need for change? This can be one of the hardest things… 

When you are exposed to yourself. When there is no one else to blame and it is up to you to have personal integrity, admit your weaknesses to yourself and start fixing them. Poor decisions on the fire-ground should eat at you a little bit no matter who’s looking. If no ones looking and you think you got away with it, consider that a lesson, not luck… Take the lesson and make the change. Luck is not a reliable strategy.

Josh Chase