Firefighters - What do they teach about life? Breakdown protocols
Life of a firefighter - 9/11 firefighters
Life of a firefighter is not an easy one. When I used to go to school, I happened to walk by the fire department. Almost every day the fire trucks were parked, neatly, washed and polished just like the day before. I wondered a fire is ever going to break up, or is this the least busy job in the world? How many times a fire breaks up so, these trucks need movement. What were they doing? eating cheese sandwiches watching movies with buddies? These were all legitimate questions I had in mind, until I got to know how dangerous and risky their job is. They are one of the first people to respond when there is an emergency of sort. They carry out rescue missions in admis of chaos of a catastrophe when human lives are at risk. Consider this, would you go into a collapsing building which continuously burning above you to rescue some unknown people? Well, if that is called bravery, it is number 1 on the list of duties of a firefighter. There is a reason why they are called "Fighters".
Being brave is only one lesson they teach us about life. It is only with gratitude that I can talk about their actions of valor. During the 9/11 incident when everyone was running away from the burning twin towers, they were the first to enter it. From the total of 2977 died during tower collapse, 343 members were from NY fire department. As 1000 members were deployed that day, the fatality rate was 33%. If we put it into context, that is about the same fatality rate of deadliest mountain climbing, Annapoorna in Himalayan range 8thousander. But less spoken is the number of lives saved that day. Staggering number of 25000 lives were saved, assisted by firefighters and police. So, yes firefighters are real heroes, as they put their own lives at risk to save others.
Breakdown protocols.
So, how do they work under chaotic, limited resource catastrophic events. How do they function when everyone else is panicking? What lessons do they teach us about breakdown protocols? During the days of relative calm, they do practice their respond protocols. They keep their equipment checked; they do practice drills in simulated environments and follow the command structure. Over time vigorously check loopholes of their protocols. And when actual fire happens, the responses are mostly automatic, at least for the initial part of it. Room for adapting the rescue mission according to the rapidly changing circumstances is inherent part of their protocols, as they have to balance, rescue missions and fighting fires, during an actual fire.
I am sure I will not be a firefighter. So, maybe you. If you're, congratulations on your bravery. However, if you want to learn about making a breakdown protocol for any mission, these are the examples you might read about. Because in life failure is guaranteed, a breakdown protocol is warranted in any scenario. Sometimes it is too late when it happens, to take action. Sometimes actions need to be planned ahead of time, maybe decades before you fall sick, breakout a fire at your property or even in a financial loss. Prevention of loss and coming back routine should be a part of any system you are making.
Have you ever thought about it?
Have you ever thought about what would be your response when you fall sick, when you are no longer able to walk on your own and confined to the bed? Even if you live a perfectly healthy life this would eventually happen.
Have you ever thought what your response would be when your part of the town gets the next seasonal flood? Did you think twice before buying a permanent land on this flood prone area?
Have you thought about your morning routine, when you are too tired to wake up early tomorrow? Have you thought what you would do after a long night partying and getting boozed with friends?
Have you thought about when your nice relationship ends in divorce and you have to battle for the custody of children? Is there a way to avoid that? Is there a backup plan?
If you haven't it is time to do that in this relatively peaceful decade of your life. As the seas are always exceptionally calm before a disaster, always. Ask a firefighter If you distrust me.
Comments