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Articles of Competence
By Jim Maher
THANKS, AGENCY
Private contract
wildland firefighters are often quick to criticize agency management for
what they perceive as ineptitude and carelessness. I admit I am one of the
critics. Criticism isn’t always a bad thing, so long as a realistic solution
is offered to remedy the problem. We all know when government is big; that
the inefficiency born from an overindulged bureaucracy is often the price we
all pay. However, It can’t be all bad, can it?
Have you ever
wondered how any one could manage over 1,000 diversified personnel on a
wildland incident and get everybody moving toward a common goal? Who else
under these circumstances; could feed you, do your laundry, fuel you up,
provide showers and toilets, provide mail service, provide news information
(including sports scores), provide communication services, provide medical
care and an emergency evacuation plan, provide safety officers, provide a
clean safe environment for you to sleep, and calculate your earnings then
“cut you” a check for your services? This is an amazing feat!
The agencies do all
of this while enduring a constant stream of criticism from whiney brats who
expect butler service for all their needs, wants and desires. Next time
something isn’t according to the proposed schedule or the food isn’t up to
your high standards I suggest you take a deep breath and ponder how lucky
you are under the circumstances before you complain about your delicate
constitution being assaulted by government barbarians. It is OK to give and
receive constructive criticism in order to move toward a goal of a more
efficient wildland fire fighting team but we should also stop and thank
those who have done their jobs well or at least to the best of their
ability.
I recommend that we
take a little time this year to express our thanks for the good food (if you
don’t vomit right away – it’s good), showers, toilets, medical, laundry,
ground support, information, safety, finance and any thing else we often
take for granted. Such acknowledgment goes a long way toward improving moral
among everyone and when we reflect on the benefits we receive then we become
better people as well.
These same thanks
ought to be directed toward those who wade through the procedural Voo Doo,
along with us, to obtain our contracts and the contracts for the services we
enjoy on the “line”. And thanks to those who answer our questions regarding
training, equipment, procedure and psychological problems. The
administration of this army of malcontents cannot be an easy task.
I’ll say it again in
person but for now – Thank you agency, for enduring us!
Jim Maher
Peanut Pie
Enterprises LLC