Not Terrible.

By 211 PERFORMANCE THERAPY
In the fire service industry, minimum standards exist that every firefighter must meet in order to serve and protect their communities. These standards, although necessary for ensuring a certain level of competency, are just that – minimum requirements. Simply meeting these standards is not enough; it is critical to strive for excellence beyond these benchmarks.

Do you ever go to your healthcare professional such as a family doctor and look on their wall seeing their diplomas and think “what grade did they get to achieve this?” More importantly, what would you accept as a minimum for your physicians competency? 50%? 60%? 75%?

While the minimum standards serve as a baseline, being content with just meeting them can lead to a high degree of complacency within the fire service. This complacency poses a significant risk to both the firefighters and the communities they serve. When firefighters become comfortable with being adequate, they may not push themselves to improve, learn new skills, or stay updated with the latest evidence on firefighting techniques and technologies. This lack of progress can have dire consequences when faced with complex and challenging emergency situations.

Moreover, the absence of higher standards beyond the probationary period exacerbates this complacency. Firefighters who pass their probation may feel a sense of accomplishment and believe they have "arrived." However, this mindset can stifle personal and professional growth. Without clear expectations for continued improvement, a firefighter's motivation to excel diminishes over time.

It is crucial to understand the difference between at an acceptable standard of performance and simply being "not terrible."

Accepting mediocrity in the fire service is a disservice to both the Firefighters themselves and the communities they protect.

By raising the bar above the minimum requirements, firefighters can strive for greatness, constantly seeking ways to enhance their skills and serve their communities at the highest level. Emphasizing the importance of exceeding minimum standards promotes a culture of continuous learning, improvement and innovation within the fire service industry. Encouraging firefighters to pursue advanced training, attend specialized courses, and engage in ongoing professional development programs creates a workforce that is prepared to handle any situation that arises.

In a post-covid world where people’s ability to care has severely diminished, it now falls on you to ensure that you become hypervigilant in rejecting mediocrity in yourself and those you are surrounded by. When individuals take ownership of their personal growth and professional development, they become more invested in their profession. They understand that they are part of a critical team responsible for saving lives and protecting property, and they recognize the need to continually enhance their skills to fulfill these responsibilities effectively.
While minimum standards in the fire service industry are necessary, they should never be seen as the ultimate goal to achieve. Striving to exceed these standards is crucial to combat complacency and foster a culture of excellence. By continuously pushing boundaries, staying passionate and pursuing excellence, firefighters can provide their communities with the level of service that they expect.

Don’t ever confuse “not terrible” as an acceptable level of performance.