Season of Change

Time has gone by way too quickly. I realize I haven’t been able to get ANY newsletters out. No smoke signals. No signs of life. Well, here I am! Ready for the new year (kind of). Let’s get a quick update. Unfortunately, if you hadn’t noticed there was no newsletter for several weeks. Between busy shifts, family illness (yes, we all got it) and life events, it just didn’t happen.

However, this is a new year! A season of change. Time to look into the new year and decide what to plan and look forward to. With that, let’s get into today’s topic. Creating the new mold, that of being alert.

In our world of fire/EMS/first responders, there's often an unspoken script about how we should carry ourselves, the tone we should adopt, and how we engage with patients or the public. We're frequently told to maintain a professional demeanor, and indeed, professionalism is paramount in our line of work. Yet, there's another side to the coin—sometimes, being straightforward and direct might not be the only effective option. There are instances where a touch of curiosity becomes a crucial factor in our interactions.

Imagine walking into an unfamiliar room. Do you ever consider the potential danger you might be facing? It's not always our immediate thought when stepping into a stranger's home. But the reality hits hard – we are entering someone else's personal space, and it's rife with unknowns. Understanding the dynamics of the room and the situation is as important as our technical skills as providers. In my early days, I questioned why my experienced colleagues were so seemingly "nosy" during house calls. Yet, as the years rolled on, I've transformed into the incognito "nosy" partner, understanding the hidden dangers that could lurk in any corner.

Each home becomes a potential minefield. A knife concealed in a drawer, a gun holstered out of sight, a bat strategically placed behind a door—every household harbors potential risks. What's more, each individual's mind is filled with the notion that they are in control, and the presence of strangers in their house triggers a sense of danger. In the blink of an eye, someone could rush behind you, push you, yell at you, lock a door behind you, or a seemingly harmless dog could emerge from under a bed. In that split second, you find yourself in a precarious situation, in real danger. It's a skill that many of us might not consciously possess, and unfortunately, it's an aspect of our job that often goes unconsidered. We embark on our duty with a clear purpose, but the intent on the other end of the phone line remains a mystery.

Allow me to share a couple of brief anecdotes that have underscored the importance of this awareness. One call involved a potential suicide, with a secondary call reporting an explosion at the same address. Our response continued, only for our officer to discover a suicide in progress. The house had been rigged to explode, potentially with the sinister intention of harming responders—it just happened to occur before anyone else was injured. Another incident involved a call from a concerned neighbor about a friend having a tough time with alcohol. As one of my best friends approached the front door, he heard the unmistakable sound of a gun being loaded. The immediate response was to leave the scene – a swift, necessary decision.

These are the moments that have cultivated my deep appreciation for what I affectionately refer to as my overprotective "big brothers." I aspire to emulate the partner who can keenly perceive the potential dangers, understanding what could unfold. These individuals are indispensable in our profession, and they've imparted invaluable lessons to me over the years.

The ability to read a room, to sense hidden threats, and to approach each situation with a mix of professionalism and cautious curiosity is a skill worth nurturing. I share these experiences not to instill fear but to foster an understanding of the multifaceted challenges we encounter. In a profession where every call is a unique puzzle, being prepared for the unexpected is as crucial as our technical expertise.

So, let's continue to be vigilant, to look out for each other, and to share the wisdom gained from these experiences. Our safety and the safety of those we serve depend on it. Stay safe out there.

-Dave (stay classy and safe this year)