Author Archives: Joshua S. Chase

Comfort… I know. You’ve been in the fire department a little while, have a good grasp on the job, a decent reputation and someone told you “you’re a good fireman.” You’ve probably been in about 5-7 years and feel like you’re not a new guy, but your not an old guy. Life is good. WhatContinue reading “Comfort Kills Progress”

SENIORITY. When I joined the fire service, seniority was a thing. I was a new guy and looked up to the guys who had come before me. I wasn’t straight out of high school looking for a fire department father figure, I just knew these guys had been where I wanted to be and doneContinue reading “Seniority”

Look in the mirror… “Man that guy sucks. Why is he still here?” Ever been part of one of these conversations? I have. Plenty of them. I’ve found myself in them, started them, and not stopped them prior to them getting out of hand. I’d love to say that I’ve been above this my entireContinue reading “Look in the mirror”

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 aContinue reading “Exposed”

Quitting is an option… One of my least favorite sayings in the fire service is “Quitting is not an option.” That is simply not true. It is in fact an option. Actually, when things get hard; what is the first thing you are challenged to do? Oh yea, quit! Why do we keep shoving thisContinue reading “Quitting is an option.”