Editor’s Note: The standard for excellence in public safety is changing. Lexipol is your partner in understanding how your agency measures up and setting a course to achieve performance excellence. Schedule a consultation with our team today to learn about our holistic approach built on Gordon Graham’s 5 Pillars of Organizational Success.
Gordon Graham here with Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Today’s Tip is for my friends in the fire service, and we’re going to talk about food in the firehouse.
Firefighters are on-duty for a long time. In many cases, you’re at work for 24 or 48 hours. And during that time, you’ve got to eat.
The firehouse kitchen is just as much about tradition and relationships as it is about efficiency and utility. In some ways, it’s a microcosm of the fire service. It exists out of sheer necessity, but shared traditions and friendships are often the result.
The kitchen is the heart and soul of the firehouse. In the kitchen, you’re likely to find firefighters solving the world’s problems, rehashing strategies and tactics, and enjoying some pretty OK coffee.
It’s long been said that a well-fed crew is a happy crew. Firehouse meals can bolster morale through communication and camaraderie. Preparing the meal together is a combined effort where everyone contributes and then enjoys the results of their work.
But it doesn’t end with preparation. Research shows dining together helps unite members and build a sense of inclusion, both of which are important in fire departments.
Nutrition is important, too. Your job is physically demanding, so good nutrition is essential for physical endurance and health. While it might be easier to order pizza or take-out, preparing a homemade firehouse meal is better for you. If you stay away from foods that are processed and high in carbohydrates, you’ll be a healthier team.
If it’s not interrupted by calls, a firehouse dinner resembles a family meal. There’s a lot of talking, some good-hearted ribbing, and the opportunity to hear an anecdote of days past.
The firehouse kitchen table has long been the place to continue traditions and share lessons learned. So what are you doing to keep this valuable tradition alive?
And that’s Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Until next time, Gordon Graham signing off.
