By Tony Haden
The fire station kitchen table is, without a doubt, one of the most important parts of our profession. Though the table itself is probably not discussed in your policy manual or identified on your department’s organizational chart, it’s one of the main places where fire service culture is created, tested and shared. It’s where our fire family stories are shared, expectations are set and values are reinforced daily.
The firehouse is not a podcast studio
My fear is that some firefighters have started treating the fire station kitchen table more like it’s a live podcast where the goal becomes getting a reaction from an audience, and the line between humor and disrespect, even hate in some cases, is blurred.
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This type of attitude is dangerous. The fire station is a workplace, and our profession relies on mutual trust. Podcasts might be about getting reactions, but fire stations are built on professionalism and respect.
Bottom line: The fire station is not the Joe Rogan experience. It’s not a place where anything goes without consequence, and it’s not the place to stir the pot and spread rumors. We are better than that. What we say around the kitchen table and in our stations matters; it’s where we can build trust, or we can erode it.
The fire service requires a different standard, one rooted in insights shared by other podcasts, like the Jocko Podcast featuring former U.S. Navy SEAL and leadership expert Jocko Willink. We all need to be part Jocko, focused on discipline, accountability and professionalism. But our shared mission requires another element as well. We need to be part Brené Brown. We must be willing to be honest, vulnerable and real with each other. We need to love one another enough to set boundaries and to stop conversations that alienate or attack other members of our fire family.
Your personal call to action
If you’re an officer reading this, understand that you are responsible for your team’s environment. You sit at the head of the table. If you remain silent about inappropriate language or behavior, you signal your approval. I have been as guilty of this as anyone — everyone makes mistakes, but we need to hold ourselves accountable going forward. Model Jocko’s disciplined approach, and share your vulnerabilities like Brené Brown suggests as you shape your culture.
Even if you’re not an officer, please understand that this work is for everyone. We can all become better at calling out inappropriate comments in a healthy way — no rank required. However, officers must set the expectations and model the expected behavior.
Culture should allow for conversations that bring teams together, not debates that create divisions. Do your discussions honor the greatness of our profession?
To my fire service family, remember this: Spend time together, hopefully around the kitchen table, and make sure you are creating a place where we build trust in one another and allow for transparency.
The fire service is special. Let’s ensure we maintain high standards in our stations and not allow them to become little more than podcast studios.
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