What to do?
What do you do when other don’t abide by a minimum standard?
How do you deal with issues between your perceived “equals” or peers?
These are age-old issues within the fire service. If you have an issue or a blatant violation of policy or guideline by a peer or superior that wasn’t witnessed by any other superior officer, how do you handle it without being "that guy”?
Is it a violation of the brotherhood code if you report the issue? Do you try and talk to them face to face, making for awkward moments around the firehouse and on future calls? Do you avoid it all together in a futile hope that the issue will correct itself? What is your obligation as an officer, superior, senior man, peer or as a person?
Ask questions > Blame
If you continue asking these questions, you’re on the right track. Look introspectively FIRST before blaming or expecting change in others. If you look to blame someone or something else rather than examining your own actions or part you played in the issue at hand, that is when you know you’re wrong. Time to change course, change habits, and change strategy.
Start by asking yourself these questions:
Do I pass the blame and take the credit? Or do I pass the credit and take the blame?
Do I ask, Who’s fault was this? Or Could I have done something different to change the outcome?
How do you deal with other not pulling their weight or dropping below a standard?
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