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1/ Some of the best advice I got as a new company officer was from Daved van Stralen, M.D., one of the early paramedics for Los Angeles City Fire Department and a guy with a list of accomplishments too numerous to mention. Suffice to say that he's a high reliability expert.
2/ During our correspondence I had mentioned that I don't watch much television. He said, "So you don't watch TV with your guys at the fire station?" and I said, "No." He said, "That's a mistake." So I said, "Okay, why?"
3/ Because when you take the time to bond with your crew in non-emergency situations (watching TV with them, asking about their kids, listening to their concerns that have nothing to do with the fire service) it builds up a reservoir of good will. It's like jellybeans in a jar.
4/ It has to be sincere, of course, but you can make withdraws from that reservoir. On the fireground when you say, "No, dammit! The 2 1/2" not the 1 3/4"!" they know it's the situation and not them.
5/ What's the best advice you've ever received as a company officer?
