There you are,sitting at the firehouse kitchen table,solving the world's problems. Your brother on the truck company brings up the Engine vs Truck debate.

The line in the sand has been drawn, the Engine has circled the wagons on one side,and the truck on the other. Verbal warfare of jokes and jabbing has begun. After 20 minutes, the all-in-good-fun war is over.

We can joke and poke fun at each other. That’s half of the brotherhood, but when did preaching one dimensional firefighting become popular? I am an engine guy, a hose

dragger, a smooth bore junkie, but I can ride a truck.

We took an oath to protect THEM. We didn’t go up there, place our hand on the good book, and swear to be an Engine guy or vice versa. We swore to protect the citizens of our jurisdiction through aggressive citizen-first fire tactics and constant & consistent training.

Engine guys throw ladders, search, deploy forcible
entry techniques,etc. VES is something that should be in everyone’s play book. What if the Engine gets there first and the truck is stuck at the

railroad tracks? Are you going to say, “Sorry ma’am,but the truck will get here shortly
to throw a ladder to that window. Then they can search for your husband.” On the flip side, Truckies might have to pull a line. Are you going to tell command, “Hey I know

you want me to pull a line, and yes I know the crew is getting overwhelmed. But I ride the truck,I do truck work only.”

Bottom line: train on being a firefighter. Be the firefighter you swore to that you would be. Make sure to put in work before the bells go off, because the fire-ground is where your work will pay off.