I was very fortunate in my career to be a member of a community and a fire department that has a fire museum. Like I did for so many years, some folks look at this building full memorabilia as “cool old stuff” and nothing more than that. My sentiment for the history within our department and the physical being of that “cool old stuff” has grown into so much more through the years. Especially my years as the Fire Chief.

As we know, history tells a story. If we put all of those stories together, it reveals the culture of a department. If you are fortunate enough to have a department historian that can share accurate history, may the history of your culture be revealed.  

I find myself asking so many questions about the equipment that our department used, the apparatus that we had, the uniforms that they wore, the procedures that they used and the members that served. The list goes on!

There are so many fire department traditions that we refuse to let go of. As the old adage goes, “250 years of tradition, unimpeded by progress.” And I haven’t even mentioned the traditional style fire helmet yet… 

Think about your department. What was the reaction of the members when they switched from hand-drawn to horse drawn apparatus and horse drawn to motorized? Think about the advancements that have been made just during your time in the department. What is next?

And then computers made their way into the firehouse, laptops, iPads and cellphones. In my mind, the Palm Pilot stole my Smokey the Bear calendar! Paper logbooks and table top calendars were eaten by new software. Our members were kicking and screaming with the introduction of change. But wow, within weeks, we were acclimated to Google Calendar and digital log entries. What is next, simulation!?