Always Leave 'The Job' A Little Better For The Next Guy.
"ALWAYS LEAVE 'THE JOB' A LITTLE BETTER FOR THE NEXT GUY."
~CFD Captain Richard Scheidt (1928-2009)
Surely we are all intimately familiar with this iconic picture taken of Captain Richard Scheidt from the tragic fire at Our Lady of Angels School in Chicago on this day in 1958.
Captain Scheidt was, and continues to be, highly respected as a Fire Service Leader throughout the Industry, and his legacy lives on.
One of his most well known quotes, "Always leave 'the job' a little better for the next guy," is threaded throughout the Culture of the Fire Service.
The purpose of this article is to take that very statement and apply it in a new way.
As your appointed Wellness Embassador, the way in which I am referring to is in regards to how we care for our Health in the Fire Service. (And I promise not to bring up the Nervous System this time! 😜)
I had written an article in response to a statement made by a Firefighter, claiming (in summary) that firefighters do not eat healthy because they are cheap.
If you read it, you'll also remember that I wholeheartedly disagreed, and listed two reasons for current spending habits on food:
1) Value Perception
2) Culture
This article addresses the second reason: Culture.
Here's what we know...
CULTURE EATS STRATEGY FOR BREAKFAST. That quote is attributed to Peter Drucker and it applies to EVERY PLACE AND EVERY ORGANIZATION ON THE PLANET.
Please receive this information in the manner in which it is intended: through the lens of health. I mean no disrespect to the Friday Night Pizza Tradition, (as our guys and gals at Aurora Fire Department uphold) or any of your Department's rich traditions.
What I mean with this post is referencing current culture as it applies towards daily nutritional habits, and current spending habits on food while on shift.
It's part of our Culture to share a meal with our Families (both Home and Fire). Food brings people together. I love that you maintain that tradition, and will not advise anything to the contrary.
Now, you know me well; and I can feel your tension increasing, because you know I'm about to expose a vulnerability in your nutritional habits. Take a breath, homeboy! I'll wait while you get yourself together...
😎
Ready? Ok, here comes a question about culture...
The question I pose to you in regards to Culture is this:
In an industry that PREPLANS and TRAINS as much as you do, does the current culture of health and fitness (as evidenced by your current habits regarding nutrition (both on the job and off), follow the command of Captain Scheidt to "leave 'the job' better for the next guy"? C'mon, y'all.
Guess what? It's never too late to Course Correct. It's never too late to decide, "This is not how my story is going to end," and show up as the Come Back Kid--stronger and leaner than ever before.
But it starts with you. I know if you've read this far you're different. I know that you have goals and dreams. I know that you want better for yourself, for your Family and Company. I also know that you love a challenge, and when the rubber meets the road-NOTHING STANDS IN THE WAY OF YOUR MISSION.
I started working with firefighters, paramedics and Fire Agencies nearly 15 years ago to assist them in optimizing their health, fitness and reducing Line of Duty Deaths (LODDs) from Cardiovascular Events.
We revamped physicals and found doctors and physician groups specially trained in the specialty issues and occupational hazards unique to your line of work. We ran Group Nutrition and Cooking Classes to teach you how to Fuel Your Engine Right-even on your 24. We even orchestrated Fire Department Olympics with 3 different on-duty Agencies using an obstacle course containing tactical gear and equipment which mimicked the work duties you encounter on a Fire/EMS Call on the daily (including pulling a Fire Engine with a rope!).
If you are a Fire Service Leader, and are seeking to implement a Kick A$$ fit-for-duty program that is empowering not punitive, it would be my great honor to assist you in that endeavor. Please contact me directly HERE.
Yours in Service and Gratitude,
Nichole DeVincentis, RN, BSN, TNS,
