Rule #5
Black Sheep Rebel Club Rule # 5
There is more than one way to skin a giraffe and more than one way to approach most situations. There are methods that aren’t listed in the manuals; some may even go against what you were previously taught. Keep your mind open to all options and don’t knock it until you try it. Not everybody does it like you do, but that doesn’t necessarily make them wrong.
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From @thebasicjake with Hartwood Volunteer Firemen’s Association in Stafford County, VA.
From @caleb.mathews in AL.
From Jacy Snider in MO.
Years ago, I kept a skills notebook to track my sets and reps in practicing critical fireground skills. As a volunteer/part-timer, I realized that even my best effort three hours per week would only put me on par with a mediocre career firefighter who spends every work day doing the job. I used a cheap notebook to tally my skill drills and hold myself accountable to getting adequate reps with vital skills every month, even if that meant practicing on my own.
While studying the psychology and physiology behind skill acquisition over the past few months, I realized that I might need a skill log even more at this point in my career. The process of developing skill performance beyond the competent level (and into proficient or expert performance) requires countless repetitions of deliberate practice focusing on fine tuning specific parts of a broad skill evolution. A skill log is a great way to maintain accountability and track improvement each month.
The left page has a simple tally of practice sessions, which include group training on shift and actual reps in the field. The skills may evolve over time. I also added a daily log for accountability of other things like physical training and mobility work, fire service knowledge (reading, classes, podcasts, etc), spiritual reading (replace bible with the spiritual or philosophical literature of your choice), general reading, and getting better sleep. At the bottom, I note the book I’m currently reading and estimated one rep maxes (which are down significantly after a six week aerobic/no strength training cycle). The right page has space for brief notes on specific skills performed and adjustments made. This will aid in creating a progressive program for improving each skill. I have a separate notebook for more detailed lessons learned in training and on the fireground.
Improvement begins with accountability. It is easy to convince ourselves that we are “good enough” or that we have practiced sufficiently. Maintaining a physical record(no matter how simple), following a set program/routine, and videoing our reps are some ways that we can remain accountable and avoid stagnation.
Do good work in 2019.
If you think you’re proficient in a skill, get your heart rate up and try it. Although an elevated heart rate alone doesn’t exactly replicate the effects of stress on the fireground (lacking the release of stress hormones into the bloodstream), it does make a difference. Any slight deviation in our rehearsed routine can trip up the autonomous process that we’ve developed.
I’ve committed to completing at least two conditioning workouts per month in gear to stay acclimated to the added heat stress between the spring and fall conference seasons. I never noticed an issue until the last couple years where I started following a strict PT program. Previously, most of my intense physical activity was done in turnout gear. The 6-8 workouts per week in shorts have slowly trained my brain to be more accustomed to easily regulating my core temperature, which gear prevents. PT in gear moves the mental baseline back.
A modified workout from @americanmadestrength for this morning’s study in performance.
3 rounds in gear
1min per station
Gloved mask-ups during rest
Working on left side ground-to-shoulder/carries and traversing stairs this morning. First rep on the ground to shoulder is a perfect example of autonomy (muscle memory) as my brain attempts to follow the strong neural pathway developed by hundreds of reps to the right shoulder. I had to take a second to reset and mentally rehearse the left side movement before properly executing it.
Understanding the psychology behind skill acquisition is key to our abilities as both instructors (knowing how beginners learn and develop new skills) and as individual firefighters (understanding how we can continue to improve our abilities beyond mere competence for the length of our career). Get weird. Get nerdy. Get better at your job.
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A great read:
Eiji Yoshikawa, “Mushashi” and Brennan, “The combat position, achieving firefighter readiness”… Books that could inspire you… Train your body, Train yout mind…
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