Are We Evolving or Simply Exisiting? Director At Large

from Georgia Firefighter - Summer 2023

How to Become a Person of Influence

Jason Amerson

coming out.

Our emails are drowning with new tools and programs to better our departments. Drones, TIC’s, Training props that are now virtual, and many others.

I know I can hear you now, the Chief will never go for that, it cost to much, the excuses can go on and on.

My first question is have you asked? Followed by have you put in your time to research the product to show the value in it.

Promoting a better fire service also includes taking care of ourselves and other firefighters.

How do we do this? Are we staying healthy, doing our routine health checks? Are we staying fit to do the job physically? Are we staying mentally fit? Are we checking in on our fellow firefighter making sure everyone is taking care of themselves?

Most importantly do we really know how to get help in the area of mental health? Do we know and have contacts to the resources that are available to us? Chiefs are we providing this information and educating the benefits for the programs available.

When we look at our Department, Shift, Crew, and ourselves, are we existing or evolving. If we were evaluating the four categories’ just mentioned, how would they be labeled?

Are we evolving or existing? When you evaluate these categories and get the results are you

Spread the Word!

Treasurer

Bruce King

There are many firefighters missing out on the benefits of being a member of GSFA. Just a few of them available through the Association include:

• Awards for Firefighter, Rookie, Educator, Company Officer, Instructor and Life Saving Valor

• Up to Two $1,000 fire department grants offered annually

• Up to Six $500 scholarships annually

• $1,000 line-of-duty death benefit

• Discounts through Jones & Bartlett and PennWell for training manuals

• GSFA Decal

• GSFA has selected Provident to be its sole insurance provider. The agreement with Provident provides up to $5,000 accidental death and dismemberment insurance that doubles to $10,000 for accidental deaths in the line of duty. Visit gsffa.org for a more complete list of benefits. Get the word out, don’t let your fellow firefighters miss out!

With Sincerity and Respect,

Bruce King GSFA Treasurer

satisfied? I would hope you are never fully satisfied and would continue pushing for better.

However, depending on your position in your department you should always start with you.

I’ve always heard that the two things firefighters dislike the most are change and the way things are.

When we choose to push for a better fire service it will come with change. Every one will not like it, you may not like it always.

We have to give some to benefit the service occasionally. We will not always be here; the way things are can’t and won’t always be the same.

It’s not the same as when you started in the fire service. Go take the classes, research the new equipment, work to find the funds to purchase new equipment.