Hypocrisy Hypocrisy

from 2023 April FFS Magazine

Grow Your Network and Build

By Rick Spence

Hypocrisy. It is something that we all seem to despise in other people, yet I am sure we are all guilty of it to some extent. It permeates every aspect of our society, academia, entertainment, sports, politics, and even within our churches. I’m guessing it might even exist within the fire service. The Latin translation means to play a part or pretend. Historically, it was used as a reference to actors and their performance on stage. Today, it has a much more negative connotation. It often refers to someone whose words say one thing but their actions say something very different. I think we have all experienced interaction with people who demonstrate hypocrisy in ever y level of society and we probably do not like that interaction.

It reminds me of a time when I worked for the Houston Astros baseball team when they conducted their spring training in Kissimmee. Iprovided first aid services for the fans that came out to watch them play and practice on the surrounding fields. I did this for nine years and got to know several of the players and coaches, as well as what was expected of them, regarding their interactions with the fans. There was a directive from Major League Baseball that strongly encouraged them to positively interact with the fans during practice sessions and breaks during the games. What stands out to me is one particular year, a highly touted prospect was expected to make it to the major leagues that year. He had only played about two years of minor league baseball, which was rare for a player of his age. He had ver y little trouble playing at a high level against some of the toughest competition in the minor leagues and was expected to do ver y well against major league players. And during this spring training he had played very well. My issue with him was his interaction with the fans, or his lack of interaction with the fans. He would ignore fans and kids when they would ask for an autograph or to take a picture.

On several occasions, people would loudly remark about how rude he was, and he would react even more loudly and rudely. The only exception to this was the day a national sports reporter with several cameras came to Kissimmee to interview him. The day he was interviewed, he graciously smiled, signed many autographs and posed for pictures. This seemed like it came very naturally to him. But, the next day when the cameras were gone, it was back to the same old routine of ignoring the fans.

I remember how disappointed and somewhat angry this made me. It is something I still think about when I go to baseball games now. What I don’t like to remember or think about is the times when I have been just as guilty as this young baseball player. I would like to think I am more mature, responsible and able to handle myself better than this young man did. This may all be true, but there are times when I have a ‘do as I say, not as I do,’ mindset. Just ask my kids, they seem to remember each incident. Most of the time it has to do with me telling them to listen to others and not to talk negatively about other people. They were quick to point out my double standard and I was unable to defend my actions against their actions. I don’t know why this happens, other than we are more concerned about our appearance to other people. We want others to think we are opposed to behavior that is not appropriate, even if it is something that we are involved with.

What really bothers me about my own hypocritical issues is that the only people Jesus was ever critical of were the Pharisees, the religious leaders and heads of the temple at the time. These men would very often say their prayers in public, wear ornaments on their robes which indicated their status within the temple and boast of their own accomplishments. Jesus publicly called them out for their obvious hypocrisy I’m sure there was hypocrisy in many of the same arenas during Jesus’ time, much like today, but the fact that this took place within the church really did not sit well with him. I’m very glad I am not called out in public for my own examples of hypocrisy, but I can hear Jesus’ voice saying, “Rick, you areexhibiting the same type of behavior as the Pharisees.”

As leaders, we must remember that what our people see makes a much stronger impact than what we say. It doesn’t take much for me to realize my actions do not always line up with my behavior. I am not where I need to be, but I am hopefully doing better in aligning my words and actions. I have never been a good actor in hiding true thoughts. I think the guys I used to play poker with would agree with that statement.

Rick Spence retired as Assistant Chief from the Reedy Creek Fire Department after 30 years. Heis currently the Chaplain for the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association, Central Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association, Reedy Creek Fire Department, Lake County Fire Department, Clermont Fire Department, Maitland Fire Department, and the Florida Professional Firefighters. He serves as Sergeant of Arms for the Florida Professional Firefighters and International Association of Firefighters.He was selected Florida Professional Firefighter of the Year in 2018.He has been married to his wife Alecia for 36 years.

Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association 2023 Annual Memorial Service

The FFCA will be honoring all Five-Bugle Fire Chiefs and FFCA members who have passed away within the past year. The annual memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 16, during 2023 Executive Development Conference (EDC) being held at Naples Grande Beach Resort, 475 Seagate Drive in Naples.

If you are aware of a Five-Bugle Fire Chief, or a member of the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association who has passed away since July 1, 2022, please contact the

ReturnofEVTTraining

FFCA office at info@ffca.org or by calling 850-900-5180. The deadline to submit names has been extended to May 15, 2023.

The following is the current list of Five Bugle Fire Chiefs and members who have passed away:

Regi Burkett, Fire Chief-Ret, Centur y Station, Escambia County Fire Rescue

Edwin Castro, Fire Chief-Ret, Key West

Lloyd Fleming, Fire Chief-Ret, Pensacola Fire Department

Thepastfewyears havebeenunprecedently challenging for all of us, and unfortunately none of our programs su eredasmuchofa hiatus as our EmergencyVehicleTechnician (EVT)trainingprogram.Evenwithrestrictions lifted,wefoundobtainingspaceandinstructorstobeevenmore di cult than before.However,wearehappytoannouncethatthe EVTSectionoftheFloridaFireChiefs’Associationhasbeenhard atworktogetthisprogrambackupandrunning,recognizingthe critical need for this training.Weplantobeginwithregionalclasses –one in May,andadditionalinthefall.Wehopetobeabletoo er additional classes in conjunction with the Florida FireConference in Orlando, FL from January 8-12, 2024 allowing EVT’stovisit the tradeshow and see the emergency vehicles and parts they so diligently study, train and work on straight from the manufacturers.

David Halstead, Director - Ret, Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM)

James McConnell, Fire Chief-Ret, Seminole Fire Rescue

Dennis Merrifield, Fire Chief-Ret

Willie Morgan, Fire Chief-Ret, Groveland

Wayne Watts, Fire Chief-Ret, Panama City Fire Department

Michael Wright, Fire Chief-Ret, Niceville

WearecommittedtobringingbackEVT trainingandenhanceboththeo ering as well as the experience.Staytunedand visit our webisteformoreinformationasit becomes available.RegistrationfortheMay class is currentlyopen–seebelowfordetails!