It was a warm September afternoon, when I conducted an exercise for three engine companies on my shift involving the propane tree at our training area. Their task was to stretch and advance two charged hose lines while protecting both crews and the lieutenant who was between the lines. The lieutenant’s objective was to turn off the supply of propane, thereby allowing the fire to go out.
As firefighters know, this was a common drill, and all should have gone well. But all did not go well. I called the first engine in, and nothing happened. After a couple of minutes, I called the second engine in, and a conference began between both crews. So, I called in the third engine thinking that finally, the conference would adjourn and they would all begin to fight the fire. I was wrong. The third engine crew became part of the conference.
The training captain said, “Rick, I gotta turn down the propane so we don’t burn up any more than we have to.” That’s when I went into action and motivated the three crews to get to work.
Once we finished, I brought everyone together to debrief the drill and discuss what happened. Then I uttered one of my common phrases, “You guys need to think out of the box!” Suddenly, one of the lieutenants that I had known for 17 years said, “What do you mean, think out of the box? I’ve heard you say that for years and I don’t know what it means!”
Initially I was shocked that he had let that go for so long without asking me. However, was it the lieutenant’s problem or mine? It was my problem because I assumed that everyone knew what “think out of the box” meant. It was also my problem because I had never identified what “the box” was and I had never explained how to think “out of the box.” For those who do not know what that means, stand by, as I will write more in a later posting.
Although the drill did not go well and it was frustrating for everyone present, it was not a failure. I learned not to assume that everyone understood what I was saying and I also learned that I had to do a better job of explaining what I meant. Everyone there learned what “thinking out of the box” entailed and I took that to the rest of the shift.
That September day 19-years ago began my quest to better understand situational awareness and decision-making under stress. Ultimately, it led me to write two applied research papers on the topic when I was a student at the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program. That day also gave birth to classes I teach on the subject. That September day also reinforces the principles that John C. Maxwell wrote about in his book, Failing Forward, Turning Mistakes Into Stepping Stones for Success.
Would you like to expand your knowledge in this area? Visit my website at www.fireofficerleadershipacdemy.com to learn how I can help you.
