When someone says, “we need to make some changes,” is your response defensive or relieved? Maybe your reaction depends on who makes the statement, where it's made, and whether it's a declaration or a question. Your spouse, your boss or your mechanic could each elicit different emotions and some costly ones, too.

When change is triggered frequently by something negative, even good changes can cause apprehension or a defensive response. Ultimately, when faced with change, you have three choices: Embrace it, fight it, or wait and see.

Within the past 18 months, the fire service has been asked to make some significant changes, many to the traditions and culture of fire departments. The response so far is good, but the need for change is not going away.

Change your attitude

The International Association of Fire Chiefs reacted quickly last April to an increasing number of line-of-duty deaths and called for a Stand Down on June 21. (See “Thousands Stand Down,” page 13.)

Many departments followed the suggested guidelines, while others like the Ponderosa Volunteer Fire Department in Harris County, Texas, tailored their stand down program to specific safety issues and times when most members could participate. Prince William County (Va.) Fire & Rescue plans to make the Stand Down for Safety an annual event.

The continued focus on preventable deaths has not slowed the reports of dead firefighters, but would it be worse if there were no effort?

Change your goals

In another effort, the IAFC will launch the National Near-Miss Reporting System this month at Fire-Rescue International. The program is funded by grants from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program and Fireman's Fund Insurance Company and is supported by FirefighterCloseCalls.com. Studies have shown that there are 600 near-misses for every one fatality in industry. The aviation, military, petroleum and medicine industries all have experienced reduced fatalities, injuries and property damage after instituting near-miss reporting systems.

Change your lifestyle

The National Volunteer Fire Council came away from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Summit 15 months ago with a goal to target firefighters' health. They received a grant, and with one conference at a time, started cholesterol testing for firefighters and emergency responders. More than 7,000 tests later, the NVFC is going strong, adding new Heart Healthy initiatives.

Change your thinking

While more fire service leaders need to help change the conclave at the Department of Homeland Security, what chief is willing to take a year's leave of absence and mire through the poker-politics of Washington, D.C.? The IAFC's Metropolitan Chiefs Section and the National Fire Protection Association have developed a strategic plan to establish the Metro Chiefs as an “effective fire service influence on federal and state homeland security issues” and to focus on the needs of the American fire service. The goals outlined in their plan are a welcome show of leadership in response to constant fire service issues with DHS.

Change your tactics

The Chicago Fire Department will host its first High-Rise Life Safety Conference, Aug. 17-20. The department has gone through significant changes in the 15 months since Cortez Trotter became commissioner. He promises that revolutionary ways to fight high-rise fires will be unveiled at this conference. Chicago? Change? You bet!

On a personal note, this month Fire Chief celebrates the 10th anniversary of our Fire Chief of the Year Awards with a great collection of management articles, all of which deal with change in one way or another. Our wrap-up from Interschutz, the largest fire show in the world, previews changes in technology. Evaluating your maintenance shop could prompt much-needed changes to keep the lawyers from your office. Changing jobs, changing discipline tactics, changing your personal relationships — and what causes more anxiety for a fire chief than a vote of no confidence?

Change. If only it were as easy as pushing the remote control.