By Jeffrey O. and Grace G. Stull
 Photos Tod Parker/London Fire Brigade |
We are reminded of traditions during the holidays, traditions of family and community, which provide us with continuity and a sense of belonging. There are also the traditions of our workplace. For the fire service, these traditions have been fixed in the public eye for what firefighters do and what they should look like. Just as Saint Nicholas is dressed up in a red and white fur-lined suit (and sorry Santa, but your suit is probably not flame resistant), firefighters have long had the image of wearing leather helmets, long coats and high hip boots. This image may be enduring, but it has also been changed dramatically over the past three decades.
Traditions evolve to meet new demands or to provide better quality. To give a Christmas example, consider the case of an employee from the New England Telephone Company who was first to imagine a Christmas tree with electric lights instead of burning candles. Using a string of tiny bulbs from the telephone switchboard in 1895, he tied them on his tree. The idea was an immediate and widespread success, as families gladly traded in their beautiful but dangerous candles for the safer lights of electricity.
In the fire service, we have seen rubberized, heavy outer coats replaced with lighter weight, intrinsically flame-resistant materials, which are now breathable, the transition from leather to plastic composite helmets, and streamlined footwear. More importantly, firefighters now look at the clothing outfits as an ensemble of clothing and equipment. Essentially, fire service tradition is being reestablished and modernized. Tradition is not technology independent.
Technology is not the total solution that some would like to think. Many of us would still prefer the simplistic beauty of a Christmas candle over more extravagant colored lights. But to ignore technology and go entirely with tradition would ignore the benefits that we could enjoy for improved safety and better response. The ability of firefighters to respond safely is often based on the protective qualities of their protective clothing and equipment.
New avenues
Advances in technology provide new avenues for firefighters to gain better protection, though this technology may not be without tradeoffs. Perhaps the lighter weight helmet or clothing may significantly decrease the stress that a firefighter experiences, but there may also be less protection in certain situations.
The tradeoffs that fire departments consider must balance many issues, including the willingness of their members to embrace the new changes and forego what many may have considered to be tradition. Tradition cannot be overlooked and when tempered, it must be done so in consideration of the best interests of firefighters – their improved health and safety.
It is not enough to have change for change’s sake because things are new, bright and shiny. Rather, the benefits must be real and they should have a discernable positive impact on firefighters. Fire departments need to measure new technology in tangible benefits, while still respecting some rituals in using PPE as justifiable when they reinforce appropriate personal protection.
Health and safety
If the holidays are also a time of reflection, then this season we should consider our health and safety. As some families undertake the ritual of a Yule Log, the bottom log of their Christmas Tree in their hearth as a reminder of times through the year, the fire service should contemplate how improvements in their responses, including personal protective equipment, will continue to add extra safety and lower risk. Winter fires with more indoor activity, use of heaters and other problems add to the number of fires at the end of the year. Even with upbeat spirits, disaster can strike and often does.
Firefighters need to make new traditions and rituals involving a PPE philosophy where all responses are seen as the potential for injury and fatality and look upon PPE and the new technology it uses as the way to safeguard their lives.
Certainly many of the old customs have passed out of favor, but the reasons behind them remains a part of our modern outlook for staying protected. During our holiday celebrations, our home is typified by lighted candles adorning tables, mantels and windowsills, with a blazing fire in the hearth representing the old while lighted trees and electronic ornaments signify the new. Our family still prefers a natural tree, but we do use fire-resistant material as the blanket under the tree.
As stated in the beginning, traditions create continuity but with new technology must change, hopefully for the better. Over the coming new year, we will be addressing in this column both the traditional aspects of PPE but also emphasizing the new technology that makes firefighters safer and healthier. We wish everyone a wonderful and safe holiday season.
This special article is dedicated to our beautiful daughter.
