It does not matter if you are fighting on the front lines of a combat zone or working to keep your city safe, teamwork is crucial. Any seasoned military servicemember or first responder will tell you that you cannot do the job alone. You must rely on those in your unit or station house to complete the job successfully. However, sometimes people need to be reminded of the importance of teamwork. Below are a few quotes to help inspire the spirit of teamwork in your group.
"Remember, teamwork begins by building trust. And the only way to do that is to overcome our need for invulnerability." –Patrick Lencioni
This quote by American author Patrick Lencioni is perfect for first responders and servicemembers. Not only are teamwork and trust the building blocks for a successful unit or station house, but overcoming the need to be invulnerable can make team members much more prepared to face the challenges in the field.
"Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much." –Helen Keller
These words are great to put on a sign and hang somewhere in your station house or base. Keller's quote communicates to people that it is much more productive to work in unison as opposed to individually. For service oriented individuals, such as soldiers and first responders, this quote serves as a reminder of the end goal.
"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." –Henry Ford
Henry Ford did well for himself in the automotive industry, but his words are applicable to so many more lines of work. It could demonstrate to servicemembers and first responders that all stages of the teamwork process are equally important and will ultimately lead to a successful unit.
"The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team." –Phil Jackson
NBA coach Phil Jackson inspired his players with the above words, but first responders and servicemembers could draw from it, too. Jackson's quote serves to remind people that not only are they important to the team on an individual level, but that the team is crucial to their personal success, as well.
"Unity is strength. When there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved." –Mattie Stepanek
The American poet Mattie Stepanek spoke these words to motivate people to work together for a bigger goal. Stepanek's verbage can be applied to both military and emergency service workers, too. The wonderful things that can be achieved by a military unit or first responder squad working as a team might be a successful mission or the saving of someone's life.
Teamwork is vital to running a successful station house or base. In the tough situations that military servicemembers and first responders are faced with every day, they must be able to rely on their team members for strength and support. By displaying some of these quotes where members of your unit will see them regularly, you can inspire a more cohesive and unified team.
Television is the window into different lives for many viewers. Sitcoms, dramas and reality shows give audiences the chance to experience an adventure they would not otherwise have the opportunity to. Recently, AFBA did an article called "5 of television's most popular shows based on military life." However, first responders get a good amount of airtime as well. In the following shows, television viewers are taken along for ambulance rides, police chases and fire rescues.
1. "Chicago Fire"
This weekly drama is a whirlwind mixture of the professional and personal lives of a Chicago fire squad. The show follows fictional firefighters Matthew Casey and Kelly Severide as they work to keep the Windy City safe. "Chicago Fire" is currently in its fourth season.
2. "Sirens"
This show is another one that takes audiences through the streets of Chicago. However, instead of experiencing them through the eyes of a fire crew, the viewers get a comical look into the experiences of a ragtag bunch of emergency medical technicians. The show's humorous approach to the odd day-to-day calls ambulance workers receive was enough to get it renewed for another season. "Sirens" is currently entertaining audiences in its second season.
3. "Rescue Me"
For seven seasons, Denis Leary wowed viewers with his performance as Tommy Gavin. Though the show is peppered with Leary's dry humor, "Rescue Me" tackles some very serious issues that firefighters face. Tommy must overcome alcoholism, work to bond with his estranged family all while maintaining his composure at the head of his fire crew.
4. "CHiPs"
Originally airing on September 15, 1977, this police procedural was one of television's most popular show's of the time. For six seasons, "CHiPs" was known for its high speed car chases and light humor. Audiences tuned in to watch Officers Frank Llewellyn "Ponch" and Jon Baker as they patrolled the streets of Los Angeles. This show laid the groundwork for many police-based shows that came after it.
5. "Emergency"
Following the firefighters of Squad 51 and the medical staff of Rampart General Hospital, this show takes audiences through the processes of several different levels of first responders. From 1972 to 1980, "Emergency" was one of the entertainment industry's biggest hits.
Television is an entertainment medium. but it can also be used as a way for audiences to experience lives that are completely different from their own. The shows above allow people the opportunity to see what life is like for a first responder from the comfort of their own couches.
The World Firefighter Combat Challenge pits the best firefighters from around the world against each other in competition. According to WSFA 12 News, challengers will climb a five-story tower, grab a heavy hose and descend the tower again. They must then pull a 175 pound dummy down a stretch of the competition grounds, and they must do all of this while wearing 80 pounds of fire gear or more.
The world finals for this event was recently held in Montgomery, Alabama. The news source reported that over 600 firefighters showed up to compete. Many of the competitors were large, very fit men. However, Sarah Fraiser, a firefighter with the Clinton Fire Department in Mississippi, wants people to know the challenge is not just for men. In fact, 5 percent of this year's participants are women, according to the news source.
The 33-year-old mother of one told WSFA 12 News that the challenge was tough but she was proud to be a part of it. Fraiser and another female firefighter, Cheri Ardion of Louisiana, both did well enough in their brackets to move on to the next round.
The finals will take place on Oct. 24.
Leaving the military for life after service is a big step for many veterans. A future without the familiarity of uniforms, dog tags and ranks may seem daunting and a tad confusing. Among the social challenges in post-service, veterans must also confront new financial obstacles and career decisions. AFBA has outlined some helpful financial advice for servicemembers preparing to make the transition into civilian life.
Research the differences of civilian finances
Many military members are given tax breaks in a variety of different sectors. Most do not even realize this. Be prepared to begin paying taxes you did not have to pay as a soldier. You should know that civilians pay state income taxes, as well as property taxes. Use the Internet, talk to your military contacts and consult a financial advisor to find out what changes you will see and how you can prepare for them.
Get the job your deserve
Finding a civilian job is a big part of the transition from military life. Check out AFBA's video blog on tweaking your resume so that it gets more views. You can also talk to veteran career services about ways to translate your military skills into a civilian career. A good job can boost your confidence in life after service and help you face any financial challenges that may arise.
Reevaluate your budget
Your military budget will likely look very different from your new civilian one. Creating a budget is an important step toward relatively stress-free financial management. Factor in your new income, housing costs and family expenditures to avoid overspending. A financial advisor may also come in handy during this process, as he or she would have the skills to assess your financial situation from a professional perspective.
Take what you can with you
According to Military.com the Thrift Savings Plan is a "tax-advantaged way of saving for retirement." Many servicemembers participate in this plan but may not realize that they can take the balance they have saved with them upon departure from the military. Servicemembers can opt to leave the funds in the TSP to gain interest, move the funds into their new retirement plan or transfer the balance to an Individual Retirement Account.
Remember to think of your health
Typically, military health benefits do not continue once you leave service. If your spouse does not have a plan that will provide duel coverage, you should begin your search immediately for a plan of your own. Research various medical, dental and vision plans to avoid paying expensive premiums. Your new employer may offer these plans, as well, so discuss options with your human resources contact in your company.
Plan for the future
It is never too early to start planning for the future. Once you leave the military, you will need to choose a civilian life insurance and retirement plan. You might also consider enrolling your spouse in a Survivor's Benefits Plan. If you have children, it is a good idea to open a savings account for them so that they can use the money for college or other future endeavors. Setting aside an emergency fund is never a bad idea, either. Life is unpredictable and having a backup account to cover you in times of need can be a huge comfort.
Life after service should be an exciting time for veterans. There are endless opportunities and new ventures to explore. Finance-related stress should not hold you back from pursuing the civilian life you want. Use the advice above to make the financial part of your transition from military service a little easier.
As gun control becomes a hotter topic and society faces the very real threat of active shooter situations, first responders have been forced to change the way they handle these incidents. First responders in southern Wisconsin have been holding training sessions to better prepare for situations in which a perpetrator attacks with a gun.
According to Fox 6 Now, the purpose of the training sessions was to teach firefighters and paramedics who answer the call of an active shooter incident how to work with police officers. One of the police captains involved told the news source that victims cannot wait while first responders organize. The various teams need to be prepared to work together so they can act quicker.
Roughly 400 first responders from Milwaukee and the surrounding areas gathered at State Fair Park to run exercises and practice working with different units.
"In these types of incidents, you're going to have hundreds of officers converging and so you may not be teamed up with members from your own police department," Greenfield Police Captain Dave Patrick told Fox 6 Now.
Oct. 22 is the last day of the training, and the first responders who participated hope the drills will help them should any active shooter situations arise in the future.
Whenever an area in Bastrop County, Texas, is in need, Mission U-Too shows up to help. The non-profit organization is known for bringing meals and comfort to their community members when disaster strikes. As wildfires tore through the area, many were left without homes and in need of a helping hand. First responders flooded the area to help put out the remaining fires and rescue people from dangerous damaged structures.
Bryan Brueggman and his fellow group members also stepped up to help.
"These are all my neighbors so it's my community, they're my family," Brueggman told KEYE TV.
Brueggman and Mission U-Too spent most of Oct. 20 hand delivering meals to first responders working the scenes of the fire and providing medical services to the injured. He and the group wanted to make sure that the individuals who were helping their community were well taken care of.
Mission U-Too has delivered over 5,000 meals in the last week, according to KEYE TV, and the group does not intend to slow down. Brueggman told the news source that he and his organization would be around and continue to provide meals as long as people needed them.
First responders like police officers, firefighters and emergency medical service workers spend every day making sure their communities are safe and community members are healthy. These individuals do their job without expecting reward or gratitude. They are driven to serve, and so that is what they do. Yet, the community of Charleston, South Carolina, found a way to make sure these first responders knew they were appreciated.
On Oct. 20, the Charleston Public Safety Council, a non-profit organization that supports local safety initiatives, hosted its annual first responder event. The "Salute to Public Safety" luncheon was a time for the first responders in the area to gather at the Four Points by Sheraton hotel in downtown Charleston for lunch and an award ceremony, as reported by the Charleston Gazette-Mail.
As the first responders dined together, awards were given to those that had gone above and beyond the call of duty. The news source wrote that Detective Jarl Taylor was named Charleston Police Officer of the Year and Capt. David Basham was honored as Charleston Firefighter of the Year.
Awards for Telecommunicator of the Year and Firefighter EMS of the Year were also given.
Over 10,000 military medics entered life after service in 2012, according to the Daily Journal, and that number has only risen. Many of those medics have the skills and training to work in first responder jobs. One Act of Congress hopes to make it easier for these veterans to pursue careers as emergency medical technicians.
The Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act of 2015 will expedite the certification process and make it easier for veterans to get jobs as EMTs.
The Bureau of Labor Statistic's Occupational Outlook reported a 23 percent growth rate of emergency medical jobs between 2012 and 2022. That is about 55,000 new jobs available for veterans. The BLS hopes that some of these positions will be filled by veterans and help reduce combat veteran unemployment.
Some major components of the Act include waivers for veterans when it comes to state requirements, giving priority to states in need of first responders and an amendment to the Public Health Service Act which would make a certification fast track for veterans.
The Act was introduced in February and is still under examination and has yet to be voted on.
Every job comes with a certain amount of stress. For first responders that stress may be a little tougher to deal with. The events that firefighters, police officers and emergency medical technicians experience on a daily basis can lead to things like post-traumatic stress and other neurological disorders if they are not properly addressed. To keep the members of your station happy and mentally healthy, you should establish a safe zone. AFBA has outlined some ways you can make your station a place where your fellow first responders can address their problems.
Hold group sessions
You and your coworkers may not always have time to get together and chat, but if possible, set aside a time when you can all come together. This will be a time when you can vocalize the stresses of the job and help each other work through them. Even the members of your crew who are not experiencing stress can participate by sharing positive stories that may help someone else in the group.
Create a stress-free environment
Even though stations may be full of hustle and bustle, it is important to keep the workplace free of unnecessary stresses. By keeping the station clean, organized and clutter free, you can help things run smoother. Your coworkers will appreciate the effort you have put into reducing the number of things they have to worry about.
Encourage them to leave the job at work
As a first responder, you understand the drive to serve your community. It can be difficult to stop serving when the shift is over. You can help your team reduce their risk of mental stress by reminding them to leave the job behind when they go home. Let them know that it is OK to enjoy time at home and leave the station behind.
Have helplines available
Sometimes your coworkers who need help or advice may not want to talk to you or other first responders. Keep information like suicide prevention hotlines, depression counseling numbers and PTSD resources readily available and easily accessible around the station. This way coworkers can use it when they need to.
Being a first responder means that you may experience some difficult situations in your career. However, knowing that you have a safe space to return to can help you cope with the stresses of the job. By establishing your station as a safe zone for you and your fellow coworkers, you could help reduce the risk of PTSD and other stress-related disorders.
First responders are trained to deal with a variety of situations, but until recently, very few had received training on how to handle emergency situations in which a person with autism was involved. A Northern Nevada group called JUSTin Hope is trying to change that.
Nevada-local Justin Reitz is the inspiration for the foundation. When Reitz was diagnosed with autism, his family wanted to create a safer world for him and those like him. The foundation is committed to helping first responders better understand autism, so that they may be better prepared should an emergency situation involve a diagnosed person.
The training explains that people with autism may have difficulty following commands like, "Put your hands up," and they may panic when confronted with an unfamiliar situation. According to KOLOtv.com, first responders were taken through a crash course on autism and possible symptoms. During the two-hour session, Training Coordinator Jeannie Dwyer showed first responders the most effective methods for communicating with people with autism.
The purpose of the JUSTin Hope training sessions and others like it is to create a better understanding of autism so that first responders are adequately prepared when they encounter individuals with the spectrum disorder.