How can we tell if we’re helping or hindering each other?
I watched this today’s tip from Lexipol’s Gordon Graham. If your agency hasn’t already, It is a great reminder to include not only training with our law enforcement Brother’s & Sisters, but to open the station to them. I would do this as a Battalion Chief and encouraged the other shifts to do the same. Invite your law enforcement counterparts to an occasional dinner. Open the station to them for a warm, safe environment for report writing, much needed occasional breaks or for a cup of coffee.
This is a great practice to incorporate into your agency in 2025!
Here’s Gordon’s advice.
Every day, you work alongside law enforcement. Sometimes, you’re personal friends. But that doesn’t mean you share the same professional perspective.
How well do you operate together? When was the last time you talked about things like incident objectives, scene safety, or departmental policy? Can you communicate directly with each other on a radio? What about in person? Do the same words have different meanings depending on who’s using them?
All too often, we hear stories about firefighters being arrested at highway incidents. Police officers getting injured in fires. Or EMS providers getting hurt at active law enforcement scenes. How can we tell if we’re helping or hindering each other? When should we step in? When should we be out of each other’s way? The only way to answer these questions is to talk about them.
If you’re a chief or a department training officer, consider setting up an interagency training plan that addresses how the different disciplines operate. We can all stand to learn something about each other’s procedures. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy a little light-hearted ribbing about who has the better job?
Regardless of your rank, take the time to get to know your law enforcement counterparts and learn about their job. Ask them what they need from you and offer them your insight on fire operations. Communication is the key to avoiding conflicts.
Whether you’re operating at a structure fire, a traffic incident, an EMS call, or an active shooter event, you must be able to work effectively with law enforcement. Good professional relationships often start with personal ones. It’s up to each of us to do the work and ensure we’re complementing each other’s missions.
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Sam DiGiovanna is a 40-year fire service veteran. He started with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, served as Fire Chief at the Monrovia Fire Department, and currently serves as Chief at the Verdugo Fire Academy in Glendale. He also is Associate Director for the California Training Officers Association and a consultant for www.Lexipol.com