Why do we use CVFSS nozzles? Why do we have to put numbers on the firetrucks? Why does it matter what color the smoke is? Why do we have to exercise? Why do we have a social media policy? Why are fires in bow-string truss occupancies so dangerous?
There are many questions in the fire service. I may not always know the answer to the question, “why ... ” but I’ll find out the answer. And not all of the questions require a complex scientific explanation – so let’s get to “why.”
Looking at the fire service leadership target – our “what,” “how” and “why” – I think we can all agree that almost everyone knows what we do, most people know reasonably well how we do it, yet few people seem to understand why we do it. In an altruistic para-military organization, one might strive for this paradigm, relishing a blind faith followership.