Has anyone made any New Year’s resolutions this year? Perhaps you have the usual ones — lose weight, get back into shape, maybe live more prosperously or give more generously.
While those are well-intentioned and often terrific personal goals, we should also consider our resolutions for our professional life. I’ve outlined a few below that have the power to empower our people, improve our communities and revolutionize our industry.
Citizens first
In the hustle and bustle of firehouse life, we can easily become distracted. I say this knowing that I have been the firefighter who, at times, is more wrapped up in the drama of the department than all the good the fire service offers us. I have worked with, and in some cases led, firefighters who care more about making a chief look bad, spreading gossip, or complaining about the latest training, bulletin, policy, etc.
But what if we directed all of that energy and all of that passion back into what actually matters? What we do day in and day out isn’t about the chief or the policy or any of the countless other concerns that we can drum up at any time; this is about our citizens. When was the last time that we truly prioritized our effort towards them?
I have watched my department transform because of a similar reprioritization. Our firefighters, company officers and chiefs are mission aligned that our sole purpose is to serve others.
When was the last time that you reiterated that to your people? Our training, our policies, our beliefs, all must be geared toward our community. Complaints are fine, they help to drive innovation and change in some regards, but before the cycle of negativity continues, let us resolve to reorient ourselves towards what really matters.
Bring back the brotherhood and sisterhood
The brotherhood and sisterhood of the fire service is very much alive and well in 2026, but what’s its status at your department? Are your people constantly tearing each other down instead of building them up? Is there a lack of trust in your ranks? Are there shift wars?
One could argue that part of those is just the firehouse culture — a bunch of Type A personalities locked into a building together for 24 to 48 hours at a time trying to not kill each other. It truly is amazing we get anything done at all, and yet as soon as the tones drop, we put our egos aside and serve with excellence. But what happens after the run? Do we go right back into a cycle of negativity?
I understand that it’s a pipe dream that we can all get along, and a good firehouse debate at the kitchen table is some of the best entertainment ever, but what are we doing for each other? We place our lives on the line for the citizens but also the people we are on the rigs with, so we better be ready to show up for each other. When our firefighters are struggling, either on or off the job, be there for them. When our firefighters screw up, give them patience and grace as you counsel them so that they learn from their mistakes.
Lastly, let’s resolve to act like adults. Stop the silliness that plagues so many other professions. We are our community’s last line of defense, their only hope in some cases. We are there for them when their children are trapped, when their loved one’s heart stops, when they cannot breathe. So between the runs, when we are bored, stop assaulting each other, hazing each other and bringing shame to our profession that has built its legacy on the backs of heroes.
Learn and grow
Consider if you committed yourself to truly mastering one thing about the fire service this year. Imagine, diving deep into the world of EV batteries, pump operations, ground ladder throws, victim rescues, or one of the thousands of individual skills or educational opportunities that exist within us. Today, we cannot ever simply say “I know that already” for that is a path that leads to dangerous egos – and could drive the aforementioned issues. Humble yourself that you do not possess all of the knowledge (especially those of us with bugles on our collars) and that it is important for you to continue to learn and grow in your profession.
Once you’ve started down the journey, share it with others. Having knowledge is terrific, but it can also create a scenario in which you can become power hungry and ego driven. Instead, teach what you’ve learned to others, because we all have an expiration date within this industry. Either we will retire out, or become too old to still get on the rigs, what a sad day either way. But if we can pass down our knowledge, and leave our legacy, how much better would our departments be?
Young firefighters, listen to the older ones. The ones who are grumpy, the ones who move a little slower with years of alarms under their belts. They often have the knowledge, the stories, and the lessons to share, so that you don’t make the same mistakes that they made coming up the hard way.
Final thoughts
Each of these categories takes grit and determination. I’m not naïve that you can truly conquer all three resolutions, even though they sound simple in practice. For they truly are simple concepts, but hard to do. Focus on picking just one, and watch how your life improves, both for your family and your firehouse family. You will be able to see massive gains in your personal and professional life, more gains from the latest fad diet or failed fitness attempt, because these resolutions go deeper. They bleed over into our core beliefs of who we are as firefighters to drive change, innovation, and service back to who truly matters – the citizens we protect. Therefore, focus on one resolution, fully commit to it, pour your heart and soul into it, even when there are setbacks. Keep going, and over time, your influence will shape your organization and the lives of everyone it touches – most importantly it will reshape yours.
Happy New Year, now let’s get to work.
