Fire Service Culture
The FireRescue1 fire service culture resource page encompasses the cultural aspects of firefighter life, from the traditions that make the fire service such a proud profession to the kitchen table conversations that develop a brotherhood and sisterhood among members, to critical discussions about firefighter health and safety, focusing on the impact of culture on behavior and decision-making, both on and off the fireground.
        FireRescue1 invites you to share your voice — incidents that changed you, personal stories of challenges and perseverance, and other unique reflections
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        The most fear-inducing phrases straight from the station
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        How the various agency types differ across culture, budget and the mission to serve
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        After a 13-month closure, the historic Reading Area Fire Museum building has reopened with new upgrades
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Ahead of Oct. 28, share your organization’s impact with local media outlets and reach out to local companies for support 
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Understand how experience, education and humility combine to shape leaders who crews want to follow
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        From heartfelt acknowledgments to a powerful close, here’s how to make your words hit home
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Practical, authentic ways to show gratitude and strengthen community ties with the people who respond first when it matters most
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Four firefighters, members of the Oglala Lakota, Red Lake, Bois Forte and Leech Lake nations, teamed up on Engine 10
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Officials honored the centennial at the Richmond Volunteer Fire Department open house, celebrating the retired engine’s legacy in service, parades and community events
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Often mistaken for a fire hose nozzle, Coit Tower stands as a celebration of San Francisco’s art, history and resilience
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Minnesota firefighters continue to support one another and serve the department with a monthly breakfast that helps maintain their identity as firefighters 
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        How we onboard recruits and probationary firefighters says a lot about department culture to firefighters and the community
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        This year’s initiative challenged firefighters to explore the underlying factors that shape mental health challenges in the fire service
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
         Discover the benefits of hosting an au pair
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Did one inappropriate comment justify the job-ending consequence?
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Nine members from Engine 38/Ladder 51 and eight from Engine 43/Ladder 59 were reassigned as the department investigates
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Following World War I, military veterans-turned-first responders expanded the challenge coin tradition to public safety organizations
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        The ceremony dates back to the days of horse-drawn equipment when members had to push the equipment into the bay
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        It’s time to match praise with policy for those on the front lines
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Downtime together is becoming the rarest call firefighters answer
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        As a woman in the fire service, I am so grateful for my extended family and this group of role models for my son
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Ruby has been assigned to Minneapolis Fire Station 7 for three months when she finally responds to her first house fire
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        The crew’s wealth of experience and dedication set a high bar in an environment where all-women crews were often scrutinized
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        From prevention to data-driven decision-making, department leaders must set the tone for mayday-minded training
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Veteran firefighters with nearly 300 years of combined service to swap stories, honor past fires and stay connected to today’s department
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        Participants climb or walk the equivalent of 110 stories to honor the 343 FDNY firefighters killed on September 11, 2001
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        High-profile firefighters are using social media, podcasts and livestreams to sway tactics and culture, offering fresh learning — and new risks for inexperienced crews
    
        
    
        
    
        
    
        The benefits are clear, but where to start? Learn how to find, fund and implement a therapy dog program, and download a fillable caretaking schedule