Where did we lose our motivation?

I am a Lieutenant with the City of Leander Fire Department. We are a small municipality just north of Austin Texas. I read your blog and knew I needed to share my views associated with fitness in the fire service. I've been relatively fit for my entire life, not only for myself, and my family, but for the people that I surround myself with. I've always belonged to a team of some sort and have received continued education in the fitness industry.

I have a strong belief that we need to take ownership for one another. We owe it to our families and each other's as they expect us to return home after each shift. The fire service is just an example of another team. Our failures don't come with a fumble or a missed shot, but carry with them a greater weight. One that I hope to never endure.

We can’t perform the task of an incident alone. Rather, we must rely on one another to see that the task is executed with minimal risk. If I'm willing to run into a burning structure for a complete stranger, then why in the world can't we stay physically and mentally ready for the coworkers that we would literally give our life for?

How can I look their family member in the face and know, without a doubt, I can’t perform in a way that is expected of me? I'm not saying that you have to become an elite athlete, run marathons, or compete in the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge, but I do believe that you should be the best you and that is what they deserve.

I've always felt a certain obligation to remain "ready" for my co-workers, but what about the citizens that rely on us. They are under the belief, that when in the event of a tragedy, their problem will be met with a more than capable emergency service provider. That's what they deserve, and what they should receive, every time they need it. We chose this job, they didn't choose us.

There are plenty of professions available for the average unmotivated person in the World, but this isn't one of them. In my opinion, One of the biggest issues with fitness in the fire service seems to be the complacency. The "I got my job, now I can relax." Where did we lose our motivation? What sense of entitlement did we receive when we were given the badge? 

The fact of the matter is, we all, at one time held ourselves to a higher standard. We must find that inner passion that drove us to this job. I simply ask, whatever your motivation was for joining the fire service, that you find it, because threre are hundreds of thousands who would give anything to have your career.

I found the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge approximately 4 years ago and in doing so found hundreds of competitors just like me. My Department has taken an increased interest over the last few years and we've assembled a group of motivated firefighters who love to compete and camaraderie that goes with the challenge. We may never become world champions, or Lions Den member's... but maybe we will. The only thing that I know for sure is, we are working on it. That's what my challenge is to anyone reading this...get to work! Do something, anything, just get started and realize your full potential. We only have one go at this life and what a blessing it is. God keeps filling your lungs with air, quite wasting it.

Respectfully, Joe Mayberry

Leander Fire Rescue 

The Troops Respond- Part 1

Last month, I asked for some feedback on how taking personal responsibility for one’s fitness became a life altering event. I got some outstanding stories. I’m going to post these here over the next couple of months. I believe that these motivating stories will provide a stimulus for other firefighters who are looking for something that they can relate to.

I am a Lieutenant with the City of Leander Fire Department. We are a small municipality just north of Austin Texas. I read your blog and knew I needed to share my views associated with fitness in the fire service. I've been relatively fit for my entire life, not only for myself, and my family, but for the people that I surround myself with.

I've always belonged to a team of some sort and have received continued education in the fitness industry. I have a strong belief that we need to take ownership for one another. We owe it to our families and each other's as they expect us to return home after each shift. The fire service is just an example of another team. Our failures don't come with a fumble or a missed shot, but carry with them a greater weight. One that I hope to never endure. We can’t perform the task of an incident alone.

Rather, we must rely on one another to see that the task is executed with minimal risk. If I'm willing to run into a burning structure for a complete stranger, then why in the world can't we stay physically and mentally ready for the coworkers that we would literally give our life for? How can I look their family member in the face and know, without a doubt, I can’t perform in a way that is expected of me? I'm not saying that you have to become an elite athlete, run marathons, or compete in the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge, but I do believe that you should be the best you and that is what they deserve.

I've always felt a certain obligation to remain "ready" for my co-workers, but what about the citizens that rely on us. They are under the belief that when in the event of a tragedy, their problem will be met with a more than capable emergency service provider.

That's what they deserve, and what they should receive, every time they need it. We chose this job, they didn't choose us. There are plenty of professions available for the average unmotivated person in the World, but this isn't one of them. In my opinion, One of the biggest issues with fitness in the fire service seems to be the complacency. The "I got my job, now I can relax".

Where did we lose our motivation? What sense of entitlement did we receive when we were given the badge? The fact of the matter is, we all, at one time held ourselves to a higher standard. We must find that inner passion that drove us to this job. I simply ask, “Whatever your motivation was for joining the fire service, that you find it, because there are hundreds of thousands who would give anything to have your career.“

I found the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge approximately 4 years ago and in doing so found hundreds of competitors just like me. My Department has taken an increased interest over the last few years and we've assembled a group of motivated firefighters who love to compete and camaraderie that goes with the challenge. We may never become world champions, or Lion‘s Den member's... but maybe we will. The only thing that I know for sure is, we are working on it. That's what my challenge is to anyone reading this...get to work! Do something, anything, just get started and realize your full potential. We only have one go at this life and what a blessing it is. God keeps filling your lungs with air, quite wasting it.

Respectfully, Joe Mayberry

Leander Fire Rescue

Around This Time Each Year...

Well, actually, it starts before the season is over; “Where’s the 2013 Schedule?”

Were it just so simple. This is the hardest, most complex thing that we have to do. Here are the constraints: time, money and the D.O.T. 

Commercial drivers are prohibited from working more than 10 hours in a day. Log books must be current. And big fines result for going over your daily limit. So, we can’t book events that exceed the number of available, or necessary driving dates from the last event. 

Then, there is the cost of putting on an event. Regrettably, we are not a federal agency; a state agency; a municipal agency or any other form of not-for-profit. If we can’t cover our costs through our revenues, this show will come to a screeching halt. So, local hosts raise about 25% of the cost of the show. That takes time. Contracts; down payments. Progress payments- all this paperwork has to be in order. 

Very, very few of our events have the resources sitting around where they can simply send in their payment-in-full. So, it takes time to organize the tour- avoiding impossible distances between events and accommodating all the people who have a special date. Or not. 

The schedule is not a secret. We have found the Internet to be the best possible vehicle for keeping our thousands of loyal competitors, friends and family informed of what we know. And when we know it, we post it. Virtually the very moment that we know it. 

So, please keep checking. We’re pretty sure that around the middle of January we’ll have something to tell you. And, oh yeah. World Challenge XXII will be held in Las Vegas, Tuesday, October 22, through Sunday October 27, thereby avoiding any conflict with Halloween. You heard it here first. Well, maybe not.  

Abandon Physical Training in Recruit Academy

Heresy! You Say?

Think about it; why do we have P.T. in Basic Training? Why is it management’s responsibility to rehabilitate you for the job you‘re seeking? Where’s the personal responsibility? Where’s the lifetime commitment? 

Think about the hours! In a six-month academy, that’s over 100 hours of training time that could be used more productively on an assemblage of courses focused on personal survival.

Too often, recruits are of the belief that they’ll suddenly get the fitness religion once they’re in a controlled environment. Regrettably, not long after graduation they revert to their former slovenly selves.

I much rather hire the guy who’s demonstrated his self discipline by showing up ready- exceeding by a wide margin the minimal standards on entry.

A number of years ago, we tested applicants for the fire and police academies in a large metropolitan department. We looked at improvements from entry to graduation and one year later.

Not surprising, major improvements were made, mostly in the women, by the time of graduation. But one year later, a majority of the employees were in worse shape than when they were hired.

If we’re going to allow people to regress to their former selves, why waste the time? Why not bet on the person who has already demonstrated that they “get it”: fitness, as a personal responsibility.

Right now, I’m working with a large federal law enforcement organization. In speaking with incumbent officers they were telling me that they wouldn’t workout because “What happens if I get hurt?”

Can you imagine this logic: “I rather stay sedentary and assume those risk factors for heart disease than assume the (very minor) risk for a musculoskeletal injury.”

Think of physical fitness as an I.Q. test; if you’re not doing it, you’re too stupid to work here.

In Their Own Words...

I’m in the process of writing a fitness training manual for Palm Beach County’s Fire-Rescue Department. It occurred to me that what might make this book different is punctuating the sometime boring content with inspirational stories of people such as you who became motivated to the point where they changed their entire life by taking personal responsibility for their own health and fitness.

Compare and contrast that attitude with what I witnessed last week in another public safety organization that I’m consulting with. In this case, a number of police officers said that they would not workout because, “What if I get hurt?” Astounding. So, let me see if I get this...you don’t feel its safe to workout, so it’s better that you do nothing as a protection against what? Being sedentary? We have a very serious educational “cliff” here. And the problem is not limited to public safety.

Check out this recent story in the Washington Post. The numbers of unfit soldiers is staggering. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/rising-number-of-soldiers-being-dismissed-for-failing-fitness-tests/2012/12/08/13d2e444-40b8-11e2-ae43-cf491b837f7b_story.html?hpid=z1

Hanging around the athletes in the Challenge can warp your perception of reality. You start to think that all firefighters look like you guys. And course, this is why the Challenge is so important for the public perception value. You are the tide that lifts all boats. Perception becomes reality when millions of civilians are exposed to the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge.

So, I’m calling for motivational stories, first person or narratives about someone in your department who saw light and decided that they were going to change because they did not want to be on that long, slow slide to diseases of lifestyle. Don’t worry about grammar and syntax. We can fix it. And we can obscure your identity with a pseudonym. But we can’t fake inspiration and that’s what I’m looking for- something to motivate the guy who wants to change. Send me an email- sooner than later.

Between the Rock and the Proverbial Hard Place

The purpose of this BlogSpot is to layout out the factors that determine when we schedule events, especially this coming year’s World Challenge XXII. The words had no sooner left my mouth about Las Vegas and the dates and I was approached by one of the athletes pointing out that October 29-November 3 encompasses Halloween.

The economic significance of Halloween is substantial for the retail industry. In 2007 it was estimated that $5B was spent on children; if you throw in the alcohol consumption of adults, the number might be twice that. As a parent, I’m certainly not immune to the pressures associated with all of the trappings of dressing up and begging for candy. As a teacher, my wife can attest to the effects in the classroom the day after!

I have received six emails asking what can be done to accommodate our athletes with young children. First let me set the stage for why this is such a conundrum.

1. We are backed up against one of the biggest trade shows in Las Vegas. Over 250,000 attend the SIMI show. Room rates will double- if you can find any. So that is an impossibility.

2. Unlike this year, US Nationals are locked- date and time. October 12, 13 & 14. This leaves a very narrow window to prepare for WCXXII; remember we have limitations on how many hours our CDL drivers can spend in the cockpit. And, we must allow some leeway in the event of a mechanical breakdown.

3. We have announced this date to the 400 attendees of the Lion’s Den banquet.

4. There is, nor will there ever be a perfect date that does not inconvenience someone.

5. Even from those who are voicing their preference, we have no warranty that they’ll be at WCXXII since some were not here this year.

6. Quite possibly, as of this writing, members may have already made travel/vacation/leave plans that would be interrupted.

So, let me proffer this one, perhaps possible scenario: we time shift the schedule by crossing over a weekend; e.g.: Start on Tuesday the 23rd and finish on Sunday the 28th. I’m sure I’m likely to hear some howling about this. I do understand that for firefighters, the week is composed of A, B and C shift-days, as opposed to the usual M-F. I’m not saying that we can make this happen, but I would like to hear the pro’s and con’s.

The host is offering a kid-centric day of activity, that may placate some of you. Here’s what I’m looking for: your response to an upcoming survey or posting your opinion on the forum on this website (not on Facebook, please- we’d like to handle this within our own ranks). We can’t dawdle. I want to lock this in by Friday. I’m also looking for ambassadors who will take the arrows and smooth the ruffled feathers. Any takers?

I’m all ears. 

And more thing...we promise that we will make every effort to avoid such a conflict in the future!

Coming to You Live...almost

If you’re looking for all the content from our live streaming of World Challenge XXI, you’ll find it at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/scott-firefighter-combat-challenge2012

We’re not exactly thrilled with Livestream.com. We’ve used them for the past three years. But this year they dropped the ball by changing platforms. You probably noticed when you Googled the doman and ended up somewhere else.

All of our content is now uploaded by Danny Lipps of Reel Events, the camera-production group who worked tirelessly for six straight days in bringing you the best of action.

I’d also like to thank Rick Lewis, our director of photography and Maria Prekeges for her stand-up interviews and Jim Degrandpre, PA announcer.

Mike Word took things up a couple of notches this year; his Master of Ceremonies at the Lion’s Den made that celebration the best ever.

Skyview of the Scott FCC Broadcast Booth