Many are cleaning up and repairing used equipment, doing year-end inventories, and ordering new equipment that they hope will arrive in the new year if budgets permit. They are finishing overdue reports and preparing for the new year’s training schedule. Many are trying to complete training that is due by year’s end and are still working their normal shifts to protect the community.
All the while, they are trying to use up the rest of their yearly leave, hoping to be with family over the holidays. They all have a sense that the new year will bring changes, hopefully good ones, but there is always the chance for the opposite. So they hope for the best with new year’s resolutions, but they prepare for the worst.
Firehouse New Year’s Resolutions
The beginning of the new year is a good time to reflect on past successes and failures, grow in the successes, and learn through the failures. It is a good time for leadership to set new goals for the organization and prepare a plan of action to meet those goals.
When deciding on a list of resolutions, you should utilize the following guidelines. They should be specific, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
All firehouses are different, and the new year’s resolutions should be specific for your particular goals and needs, but they all must take into account the personality of your crew. They should be developed after consultation with your crew to ensure that their wishes and needs are taken into account when developing a plan for the new year.
However, as the leader, you are the primary party responsible for the crew and your organization, so resolutions have to take into account your plan. As a leader, it is your job to create a vision for the team and then lead them into that vision. By allowing the crew to have an impact on the decision-making, they will have ownership in the process and will more easily work toward unpopular resolutions.
By following the four guidelines as outlined above and discussed more thoroughly in another article, getting your crew fully onboard will be easier.
Possible New Year’s Resolutions To Think About For Your Firehouse
Here is a list of some New Year’s resolutions for your firehouse to get you thinking and to assist you with developing a list that is specific to your organization. Some resolutions are more visionary, such as creating a strategic vision and purpose for the crew or fostering accountability within the crew.
Other resolutions are more action or program-need-based, such as conducting a full inventory in the new year or replacing all outdated equipment.
The key to developing a list is to look thoroughly at your program, reflect on the past year’s accomplishments and mistakes, and allow the entire crew to have input in the process.
- Create a Vision and Purpose
- Constructing a Foundation of Discipline
- Fostering Accountability Within the Crew
- Organizing the Standard Operational Procedures
- Develop Training Program That Meets the Needs of the Crew
- Review and Update Community Pre Attack Plans Within the District
- Conduct a Full Inventory of Equipment That Is In Need of Replacement
- Integrate New Software Into Vehicles For Safer And Efficient Response
- Foster Community Partnership Within the District
- Ensure Crew Has Adequate Training and Experience Opportunities for Professional Development
- Create a Safe and Comfortable Firehouse for the Crew
- Develop Mentors Within the Crew for New Recruits
- Develop Effective Communication Skills and Procedures
- Develop Opportunities For Crew Fellowship Outside of Work Environment
Hopefully, these ideas will give you a starting point for developing a list that is appropriate for your organization and firehouse.
At StreetWise®, we appreciate the sacrifice that firefighters make and work to develop technology that can make their jobs easier and safer. We understand the importance of developing a plan to accomplish the goals of the new year and work with departments all across the country to achieve this goal.
StreetWise® Supports Firefighters With Life-Saving Technology
StreetWise is a public safety information services company located in Mooresville, North Carolina. StreetWise is an elite group of progressive, like-minded investors, managers, technical developers, and advisors that form the parent company, Hangar 14 Solutions, LLC.
It is their close and ongoing career experience with public safety that led to the development of this project concept. Hangar 14 Solutions has identified first-hand the gap in getting critical response information into the hands of emergency personnel.
StreetWise can assist you with developing pre-incident plans and provide advanced software that can improve your crew's situational awareness. If you would like more information on the services we offer, check out our website, or ask for a free demonstration!