The subject of FIRE CHIEF Editorial Director Janet Wilmoth’s editorial in last week’s “Command Post” was this week’s Safety Stand Down. She shared a story featuring a real-life chief (Robert Creecy) from a real-life department (Richmond, Va.). You can re-read the editorial here.

As Chief Creecy later explained to his staff, the good news was the Richmond story was out (worldwide); the bad news was, the Richmond story was out (worldwide). We thought it only fair to allow him to share this open memo with Command Post readers.

From: Chief Robert Creecy
Sent: Wed 6/21/2006
To: Richmond (Va.) Fire Department
Cc: Janet Wilmoth
Subject: Safety Stand Down Message

To All Personnel:

It is Day One/Year Two of the International Firefighter Safety Stand Down. We started off quietly at shift change and came out big with a noon announcement to make sure everyone was aware of today's significance, especially for this fire department. Included [here] is an excellent message on the Web from our colleague and my friend, Janet Wilmoth, Editorial Director of FIRE CHIEF magazine. Her posting last Friday helped spread the word of our accomplishments through last year's Stand Down and established us in the leadership posture we choose to live. But, guess what??? The good news is the word is now out (worldwide), and the bad news is the word is out (worldwide). What that means is we, here in Richmond Fire and Emergency Services, now have to live it and "walk the talk."

Attitude and behavior are the driving forces behind policies, regulations, and safety mandates. Without the right attitude and true accountability for consistent safe behavior, the rest is just words on paper.

Safety is the mandate, but without compliance, complacency becomes the mandate, and that is the #1 killer of us! Nothing, not one or a million excuses or rationalizations, can justify the death of a single firefighter when we read most of the reasons given for why we are dying at record rates. It is not the dying, because few are lost in the attempt to save another life. It is not the dying — it is the reasons and the circumstances, and nearly all are an obscene testimony on the complacent behaviors that lead to unsafe practices.

Yes, our story is out, and now we have to live up to our own hype. But it is really quite simple. All we have to do is actually do what we say that we do. More to the point, all that each and every one of us has to do is think like the fire chief and act like a safety officer, because it is the fire chief who has the ultimate responsibility for everyone going home, and it is the safety officer who has the ultimate duty to act in the best interest of those who would wander into harm's way under the spell of routine complacency. If we are the brothers and sisters of fire service family that we claim to be, then we will not allow each other to engage in the complacent behaviors and unsafe practices that tempt our fate.

In truth, we can no longer continue to live with what we seem to be so willing to live with. That is what the Stand Down is really all about. Changing for the better means "coaxing bad habits down the stairs," a little bit each day. And developing a new attitude and changing behavior takes time, so one day could never make a real difference. That is why we stood down all summer last year, and that is why we start again this year with the same plan. Only this time, we understand better the purpose, and make the conscious decision to change. And once we have done that, why stop in August?

It has been said, "If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything." If Richmond Fire Stands Up for safety, we might well never have to Stand Down again.

Today has been long and busy, and I really enjoyed the chance to visit with some of you in the stations this evening. As Day One closes, tomorrow presents each of us the opportunity to make every decision a conscious one and every act a safe one. I will sleep better knowing that each of you understands this, and so will the loved ones we borrowed you from today, because they are expecting us to send you home tomorrow the way you are, whole and healthy.

Be Well and Be Safe,

rac