-The belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment.

I am a fireman. I strive to be that 'fireman's fireman'. I believe that being a firefighter is a blue-collar trade. It is a craft that must be taught, learned, honed and perfected over and over again throughout your career. Being a member of the fire service, whether paid or volunteer, is a privilege given to you by the citizens that you serve within your community.

I know this job can be hard. It can be taxing both physically and mentally. You won't get rich on the job. But, this is the most rewarding job a person could have.

Where else could you go from literally saving a life one minute. To showing off your rig to awe struck 10-year-old kids who think you're the biggest hero they've ever seen.

Yeah, you read that right. They look at you like you're larger than life. The public believes you are willing to put your life between them and danger, whenever it is needed to be done. But are you? They allow us into their homes when they are out of town. They've never met you before, but you're a firefighter so they believe they can trust you.

What sparked me to sit down and write this was the fact that I'm seeing more and more members within the fire service, even 'seasoned' guys, that have an entitled attitude.

They have forgotten the number ONE reason we should be doing the job. It isn't for the pay obviously. It isn't for the awesome schedule with a lot of time off. It isn't for the benefits. IT'S FOR THEM.

Who is THEM? The people that you said you would protect from the dangers and hazards of the world when you raised you right hand and took the oath. The people that have provided you with the job that enables you to spend more time at home with family than just about any other job. The people that pay for that truck you hate washing because it will 'just get dirty again'.

Those turn outs you hate putting on because they are hot. Yup, they bought them. They pay for the benefits you love, and your family's needs. They pay for all those vacation days you cherish.

The people that see you and your crew sit down for supper at a restaurant and, unbeknownst to you, pay for your meal and leave without you even knowing until you go to pay.

The kids that will always remember the day they came to the firehouse and were able to see first hand where their heros live and work.

The elderly woman who lives by herself. She knows when she calls YOU at 1 AM because she slipped and can't get up on her hardwood floor because she forgot to take her socks off, yup, she knows you are coming to help her up and into bed. You won't leave until you are certain she is taken care of. Because, you are a firefighter.

The single Mom who needs help installing that overly complicated car seat for her child. She calls you. You solve that problem. Because, you are a firefighter.

That family who woke up to the nightmare of beeping detectors and smoke in their home. They got out. You went in, you searched, you extinguished, and you saved their most cherished possessions that couldn't have been replaced with all the money in the world.

Where did the guys go that love coming to work and love training and perfecting the craft of firemanship?

Guys are more concerned about making it to the gym than picking up those irons and breaking some wood on that force door. They're willing to fight tooth and nail for that one specific piece of equipment that will 'revolutionize' the fire service but won't fight for training equipment or props.

They're more concerned that the new station
has personal bunk rooms for every member then they are in having amazing crew continuity and integrity. They are more concerned about the 'liability' of a fire pole in the station than upholding the countless and many great traditions of the fire service.

They allow a contract to determine when they can or can't train. They rely on that contract to help hide their own deficiencies.

We allow unqualified people to determine the daily activities instead of an ironed-out training schedule that meets the needs of THEM.

What happened to going out and finding structures to acquire? You hear the word liability thrown around a lot. "That is too much of a liability to train like that", "Guys could get hurt in that training, we don't need that liability" I promise you I would rather get injured in training every day than get injured on a real job and not be able to uphold my end of that oath.

I will put this out there. Is it not a liability to not train hard for the real thing? Is it not creating a liability to potentially have under trained personnel?

The sense of entitlement is running wild within the fire service.

Members care more about being ten toes up in the recliner than checking that their air pack is completely topped off, so they could possibly have that desperately needed extra few minutes of air when things get hairy. Members have a 'what can you do for me, what can you give me' mentality. They have forgotten why we're here.

They believe because they chose this occupation they are special. They believe they are qualified for the job because they attained the certifications 15 years ago. Even though they haven't attended a continuing education class or outside seminar since they received those coveted pieces of paper with that pretty gold seal.

Yet some organizations only require a 'yes man' approach to who's qualified and who gets to sit in 'the seat'. Don't shake the tree. Get along with everyone. Don't go above and beyond. Don't cause any grief. You will succeed. That's what we're showing young people in the service. You can succeed if you just shut up and do what I say. Don't question my authority. You will succeed.

What happened to being able have a critical discussion on issues? What happened to owning up to your short comings when called out and
doing something to change them? Why have people gotten so entitled they can't be critiqued? Being critiqued is what makes you better: realize that just because it's criticism doesn't mean it is necessarily an attack against you. A brother in this service sees a short coming in you. He calls you out. You work on fixing that short coming. That is what botherhood is.

I'm not sure how to necessarily move those individuals into the mentality needed. I do know it will take time. It will take blood, sweat, and tears.

You will encounter push back from all. You will be accused of targeting an individual. You will be accused of having a bad attitude. The word grievance will be thrown around. But speak up. Have those needed conversations. Have them maturely and professionally. Speak your mind. Tell whoever it is why you feel that way. Allow them to respond and have their own opinions. Don't falter and stand your ground. Keep fighting. Keep training.

Keep doing what is needed to protect our beloved craft.

Most of all uphold the oath you swore on.