MENTORING MOMENTS – Don’t Forget Your Helmet!

01-13-12 --  

 

By Fire Chief Hank Teran, Bainbridge Island, Washington State

 

The theme of FIRE 20/20’s January eNewsletter is Mentoring. Mentoring means different things to different people. It’s important to remember that mentoring is not about a program, but rather part of the culture of your department.

 

Mentoring has been identified as a guiding principle in departments that value inclusion and diversity. It begins during recruitment; carries through the academy; offers support during probation; is an integral part of the promotional process and provides an opportunity for retirees who want to continue to give back and play a role after they retire.

 

The motivation for a successful mentor is seeing a positive outcome for the mentee; often recognizing potential that the mentee may not yet be able to see. Mentoring is not a one-size fits all process. For some it’s encouragement, and for others it may simply be a shoulder to lean on.

 

One of the unique things about mentoring is that it tends to carry a pay-it-forward, ripple effect, often though generations. If a firefighter has had a positive mentor early in their career, they’re more likely to serve as a mentor for other firefighters.

 

Looking back over the last 33 years, a number of great mentoring moments come to mind within my fire service career. I have been blessed to be mentored by a number of individuals both in and out of the fire service.

 

I would define the word mentor as time. Taking the time to share with others your life experiences and “scars” is very valuable to the new firefighter or new officer. Lessons I have learned in those impressionable years are still with me. Today, mentoring also helps support individuals and departments in the work to create inclusive and diverse fire departments that reflect the communities we serve.

 

Many of those who mentored me did so before the term of “mentor” was as prevalent in our culture as it is today. I have many fond memories of the “old head” firefighters instructing me, not with words, but with actions and valuable one-on-one time.

 

Although I had learned many important lessons from my chief officers and captains, I was mentored mostly by the firefighters that I worked alongside. They took the time to not only coach me, but to teach me many valuable lessons in the art of firefighting and most importantly, taught me the things they believed were imperative for success in the fire service and in life.

 

For example, one fond memory was when I was assigned as a “rookie “to Fire Station 1 in downtown Long Beach, California. I was assigned to “the big house” where 15 firefighters responded to numerous EMS and fire calls. I believe our call average was 15 a shift. A night was considered “good” when you only got up twice after midnight. Getting up prior to midnight did not count at Station 1.

 

One night, I was assigned as the nozzle man on Engine 1, when a reported structure fire toned in. Upon turning the corner, we could see heavy fire and smoke billowing into the late night sky. When we arrived on scene, the heat was almost unbearable. The senior firefighter (Ralph) and I quickly pulled the pre-connect line and were just about to make an aggressive attack on the fire when Ralph yelled, “Hank, where is your helmet!” In disbelief, I realized I had left my helmet on the engine cover. I was in full bunker gear and even had on my SCBA but no helmet! I tried to reach for my helmet but, with the hose line now fully charged, I was about an inch short of being able to grab it. Ralph was right next to my helmet so I pleaded with Ralph to give me my helmet and he refused! Ralph said, “Give me the nozzle and get your helmet and I will give you the nozzle back!” I quickly gave Ralph the nozzle, grabbed my helmet and before I could take another step he took off with the nozzle and left me to be his backup man.

 

After the fire was knocked down and we started overhaul, Ralph came to me and said, “Hank, I could have easily given you your helmet but you would have forgotten this teaching moment. ALWAYS have your full safety gear on and ready when you step off the Engine.” Ralph didn’t know it, but that lesson would resonate with me the rest of my career and not only me but also with others when I’ve shared the story.

 

Some may say that Ralph was not mentoring me at all but took advantage of a forgetful rookie. I know different. Ralph took the time to use a “teachable moment” and would also provide other educational moments during my assignment at Fire Station 1.

 

As I look back over my career, my greatest memories are conversations with those I have mentored, or the occasional letter that I have been privileged to receive thanking me for taking the time to help them. In fact, only last month I had a conversation with a firefighter from my old department who told me that he missed my mentoring and that he was thankful for the time he spent working with me. It was an unsolicited comment and one I did not expect, but one I will never forget. His comments would have never been possible if I had not taken the time, like those before me, to not only share successes, but failures, as well.

 

Mentoring can be especially critical for those individuals who come from a diverse background or culture where a career in public safety may be considered unattainable. By taking the time to mentor these individuals, we can demonstrate firsthand how the fire service can be an extremely satisfying profession.

 

We are all extremely busy and find little time for much these days. However, the time we share with others when mentoring them is priceless and will have an impact on their personal and professional life for years to come. Remember, “Don’t forget your helmet!”

 

Posted by: Fire 20/20   Tags: Diversity, FIRE 20/20, fire service, firefighter, mentor, mentoring, recruitment, retention   Categories: Article, Guest Columnist, Newsletter