I've heard a lot about "this generation" around the firehouse. The comments range from "This generation doesn't know anything that's not computer based" to "This generation doesn't remember when you had to roll down a window instead of pressing a button." These comments give me pause. What exactly are we expecting out of "this generation"?
It is true that the current generation of recruits probably doesn't have the construction background that previous firefighters may have had. Most recruits nowadays have spent far more time keeping up with social media than driving a nail with a hammer. That means the fire service is changing and maybe even evolving.
I remember a time when the department leaders thought higher education was a waste of time and the only lessons you needed were those taught to you by the guys who had been to the most fires. Today, you would be hard pressed to meet the minimum standards to apply for a position without a college degree. That shows the fire service is changing and maybe asking for a higher level of competency before new members even get in the door.
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