营参谋长Michael Walkerof the Oklahoma City (OK) Fire Department, The Fireman’s Standard is not performing at the social norm or simply meeting the minimum. The Fireman’s Standard means performing to a level of quality or excellence that goes above the social norm and that goes well beyond the minimum, which, he says, is merely ‘one small step above inadequate.’
Note:沃尔克r uses the term “Fireman” because, he says, it predates political correctness as we know it, and it will outlive whatever term we choose to call ourselves tomorrow. The term encompasses more than gender, skin color, religious association, or political affiliation, he says.
在他对他的标准讨论FDIC综合会议主题演讲，沃克专注于“两个关键组成部分” - -Cizens和兄弟会。“没有一个人，没有必要存在消防服务，而没有另一个，我们没有办法取得成功，”他解释道。
Under that Standard,沃克says, ‘It was everything–the way we looked, the way we trained, which obviously had a positive effect on how we responded. When we trained, we trained until we did it right. If we didn’t, we did it again and again and, if necessary, again. When we got it right, we moved on to something else.’
That helped him to understand that being a public servant really means being citizen focused, that ‘good enough’ just simply isn’t good enough. It means that when we, as firemen, say we’ve done our best, it doesn’t include the unspoken qualifier ‘for as little effort as we put into it.’ It is a standard of excellence that requires us to focus on the details and strive for perfection, even in doing the small things. It means settling for a minimal effort just isn’t acceptable.
沃克said it also became apparent to him that firemen must see the citizens as something more than just generic. “Because of who we are and because of what we are supposed to live up to, we cannot afford to view the citizens as just a homogenous clump. We must see them as ‘OUR’ people.” They are our people regardless of their social status; skin color; religious preference; sexual orientation; or views on marriage, abortion, gun control, and politics. Every one of them falls within the scope of our duty. When they need us, we are there; it is our duty to protect and serve them to the very best of our abilities. Along with that, we have to maintain the confidence they have in “their firemen.”
沃克为观众定义了根据消防员的标准生活的意义。
- 我们必须辜负那些认为我们作为英雄的人的期望。我们每个人都要做我们的死亡水平，最好是或者甚至比他们认为我们的甚至更好。我们必须尽一切力量达到消防员的标准，因为“我们的人民”不是副产品。他们是任务。这是因为他们存在。
- A pivotal part of the Standard is to invest in each other’s success because if we don’t, we can’t succeed. We don’t point fingers and place blame. We help bear each other’s burdens, and we realize that to serve as we should, we have to rely on each other. We invest in each other’s success and, at times, if it is necessary, bring an overly inflated ego back down to earth. As my chief says while pointing to his heart, ‘A kick in the pants or a pat on the back comes from the same place. When either is given, take it for what it’s worth.’
- Some may wonder if adhering to the Fireman’s Standard, or ‘just doing the right thing,’ as some would call it, is worth it. Sometimes trying to live above the social norms isn’t easy–you may feel beat up or misunderstood by your colleagues or citizens. It’s tough, and it may seem reasonable to sometimes wonder why we even bother. Wouldn’t it be easier to settle for ‘good enough’ and to just show up, punch the clock, and do your time? Some seem to get away with it. Maybe you would, too. But think of it like this: If it were your family whose house was on fire or a member of your family who was trapped in a car wreck or having a heart attack, who would you want helping them? A clock puncher? A nice guy? or A Fireman striving to live according to the Standard?
沃克assured audience members, the majority of whom he said are ‘keepers of the Standard’: “Most of you will never be known outside of the confines of your department, but the impact you are making–and you are making one–will affect a generation. You may not be able to comprehend the influence you have because the ‘Ahh-Hahh’ moments in life are typically recognized only after the fact. Because you are so close to it, it’s hard to see the day-to-day successes, but they are there. Keep doing what you’re doing because you are making a difference. You have to hang on, dig in, and keep going. Keep the faith in the mission. Do whatever it is you need to do to keep marching.”
