Fire & EMS Leader Pro The job of old firefighters is to teach young firefighters how to become old firefighters!

The holiday season is upon us in the U.S. and Canada and that means children will be spending more time at home as many schools take breaks for the Thanksgiving (U.S.) and Christmas holidays. Thus, I’ve updated my original article and am sharing it today in hopes of preventing an unintentional shooting, especially one involving a child or teen.

I write because I want people to think, especially about what they don't know. My aim is to inform, educate, and challenge readers to encourage them to engage with new ideas. In return, I learn from their feedback.

By: Robert Avsec, Executive Fire Officer Today’s Firefighters face unique and intense challenges that can significantly impact their mental health. The nature of their work exposes them to traumatic events, physical danger, and elevated levels of stress. Like many issues facing our society today, the effects of those stressors have been amplified by the increased influence of social media and ...

By: Robert Avsec, Executive Fire Officer I’m often asked why I continue to write and publish on this blog that I started in 2010. I, myself, sometimes wonder about the same thing because after fourteen years it sometimes becomes difficult to find fresh topics to expound upon. And then I get an email like this: Chief Avsec, I’m a Fire ...

By: Robert Avsec, Executive Fire Officer The “Nine Sisters” (Clockwise): International Assn. of Fire Chiefs; International Assn. of Fire Fighters; National Volunteer Fire Council; National Fallen Firefighters Foundation; International Society of Fire Service Instructors; National Fire Protection Assn.; Fire Department Safety Officers Assn.; International Assn. of Black Firefighters; and the National Assn. of Hispanic Firefighters. Firefighters face unique and intense ...

By: Robert Avsec, Executive Fire Officer The 7th Annual Conference of the Fire Service Psychology Association (FSPA), held on October 3-4, 2024, in Washington, D.C. was a significant event aimed at bridging the gap between professional psychology and the fire service. However, the absence of the “Nine Sisters” – the major fire service organizations – was a notable and concerning ...

In the bustling world of firefighting and emergency services, there’s a long-lost sister—a quiet advocate working tirelessly behind the scenes. Her name? Fire Service Psychology Association (FSPA). Dr. Kristen Wheldon, Psy.D is the President and Founder of FSPA, and has been championing her cause, but why haven’t the major fire service organizations rushed to embrace FSPA? Let’s explore this intriguing question.

What I’m about to talk about is nothing new for most of you, unfortunately it isn’t new to me either. In just over 27 years of this life [Of publice service] I voluntarily chose, looking past the day-to-day “job” there is something that continues to become clearer as the years tick away. Most everyday can only be described as “chaotic” in public safety, no matter your certification level, and regardless of the geography; We are all quick to drop the “brother this” and “sister that” in our daily life. While I’m [may] not the first to tease your brain with this, my take makes sense to me, so maybe it will make some sense to you.

Industrial/organizational psychologists specialize in understanding human behavior within the workplace. They apply psychological principles and research methods to improve various aspects of work environments, including performance, communication, job satisfaction, and safety [1]. Here’s why fire and EMS departments should consider integrating I/O psychologists into their teams.

The word brotherhood is thrown around in the fire service all day long. This day reminded me of what the word really means. This is a dangerous profession, and we would die for each other and there are many times we do. I ask you today to put aside the pettiness between us as brothers and sisters. The pettiness between shifts. The pettiness that separates operations from daywork. The pettiness of destroying someone’s reputation over a rumor. The pettiness that comes from an occupation that breeds alpha personalities and competitiveness that often ends friendships.