This is a reminder that Firefighter Netcast will be live tonight.
We will be discussing Old School vs. New School Firefighting and how social media has benefited/hampered us.
Feel free to add some comments for us to think about. Also, plan on being with us live at 9pm EST. Click on the banner to go to FirefighterNetcast.com.
We will also be hitting on some recent firefighting news like the incident in Dekalb, Georgia.
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I believe it has hurt as the bulk of it (social media) only scratches the surface of the subjects in most cases. Readers today, generally speaking, have a shorter attention span, which prompts writers to write shorter posts, reports and articles to keep ahold of that attention. With subjects such as changes in ventilation tactics and fire behavior most people will read the blurb about an incident where members were burned, but pass on the technical report about why. That's the rub in the old school new school mix; those of us who came on in the 80's and prior weren't influenced as much by the electronic age. Strategy and tactics were tested, developed and then taught by practical work along with elementary and advanced classroom studies. Senior men and officers then passed along tips and shortcuts to younger members to improve company efficiency and to keep each other safe. Critiquing someone's fire from across the state, or country even, was unheard of for the most part, simply because you weren't there. The technology today is putting everyone on the scene, virtually, and prompting commentary at a rate few would have expected.
I believe it has hurt as the bulk of it (social media) only scratches the surface of the subjects in most cases. Readers today, generally speaking, have a shorter attention span, which prompts writers to write shorter posts, reports and articles to keep ahold of that attention. With subjects such as changes in ventilation tactics and fire behavior most people will read the blurb about an incident where members were burned, but pass on the technical report about why. That's the rub in the old school new school mix; those of us who came on in the 80's and prior weren't influenced as much by the electronic age. Strategy and tactics were tested, developed and then taught by practical work along with elementary and advanced classroom studies. Senior men and officers then passed along tips and shortcuts to younger members to improve company efficiency and to keep each other safe. Critiquing someone's fire from across the state, or country even, was unheard of for the most part, simply because you weren't there. The technology today is putting everyone on the scene, virtually, and prompting commentary at a rate few would have expected.
Bill,
I understand what you are saying. I somewhat agree with it hurting more than helping. However, I feel as though this is because so many don't have policies in place for social media.
As for just reading a blurb and losing site/interest in the whole story…I think that is a product of the “I want it now” mentality in younger generations. I am probably a part of that coming in on the beginning of the instant gratification generations.
I try my best to see the entire story, but it is masked by what we like to see like pictures and video. What is interesting is that I try my best to cater to those generations when I write. I try to use pictures and video when possible because I know they will see it.
As for the critiquing fires over State lines…you hit that on the head. Nowadays we can see what happened in a fire in Sweden via pictures, video, and first hand accounts right after it happens. It is amazing, and I think it is only the beginning.
“I understand what you are saying. I somewhat agree with it hurting more than helping. However, I feel as though this is because so many don't have policies in place for social media.”
Definitely. Take for instance helmet cameras. Imagine the details that could be gleaned if good media polices were in place. Instead, most are quick to ban them for fear of embarrassment. The focus is towards the media delivery and reaction and not the fireground operation.
With regards to getting information immediately that could help us mitigate an incident, I think that the social media is fantastic.
Using it to deliver training points is another matter. Simply looking at texting “language” tells you that if users are willing to leave out vowels and consonants when they communicate, will they leave out steps in the training process? Too much of a stretch? Then why are social media savvy firefighters so impatient? Yes; they want it now. They want to be the end product and not part of the R & D.
That said; I appreciate the media for what it has given us on the information highway, but I think it's developing in us some bad habits too. When I had dial up, I cussed it for taking too long. I have DSL and if a browser takes more than 3 seconds to come up, I'm cussing. Don't get me started on dropped calls.
Bill, my friend; you and I paint portraits for a world that wants snapshots.
With regards to getting information immediately that could help us mitigate an incident, I think that the social media is fantastic.
Using it to deliver training points is another matter. Simply looking at texting “language” tells you that if users are willing to leave out vowels and consonants when they communicate, will they leave out steps in the training process? Too much of a stretch? Then why are social media savvy firefighters so impatient? Yes; they want it now. They want to be the end product and not part of the R & D.
That said; I appreciate the media for what it has given us on the information highway, but I think it's developing in us some bad habits too. When I had dial up, I cussed it for taking too long. I have DSL and if a browser takes more than 3 seconds to come up, I'm cussing. Don't get me started on dropped calls.
Bill, my friend; you and I paint portraits for a world that wants snapshots.
With regards to getting information immediately that could help us mitigate an incident, I think that the social media is fantastic.
Using it to deliver training points is another matter. Simply looking at texting “language” tells you that if users are willing to leave out vowels and consonants when they communicate, will they leave out steps in the training process? Too much of a stretch? Then why are social media savvy firefighters so impatient? Yes; they want it now. They want to be the end product and not part of the R & D.
That said; I appreciate the media for what it has given us on the information highway, but I think it's developing in us some bad habits too. When I had dial up, I cussed it for taking too long. I have DSL and if a browser takes more than 3 seconds to come up, I'm cussing. Don't get me started on dropped calls.
Bill, my friend; you and I paint portraits for a world that wants snapshots.