Ending ‘us vs. them’ in the firehouse

 

Leaders, Leadership sets the tone for whether a department operates as a unified team or fractures into an “us vs. them” culture. When division takes root between line personnel and administration, between shifts or between ranks, it erodes trust, clouds decision-making and ultimately affects service delivery. Chiefs cannot afford to dismiss these dynamics as personality conflicts or generational differences. Addressing them head-on is a leadership responsibility. In this week’s featured article, Chief Brycen Garrison examines this issue — how internal divides develop and what leaders can do to break the cycle. I encourage you to read it with an eye toward your own culture and consider where proactive leadership can strengthen alignment and accountability. Also, take a moment to nominate a deserving leader for the IAFC’s Fire Chief of the Year Awards. The program recognizes chiefs who demonstrate outstanding leadership, integrity and service to the profession. If someone in your network exemplifies those qualities, submit a nomination and ensure their impact is recognized. As always, let’s honor our traditions and lead change together. — Fire Chief Jason Caughey, FireRescue1 senior fire advisor FEATURED CONTENT Ending ‘us vs. them’ in the firehouse Internal rivalries between shifts and staff can erode trust and culture, but a shared mission can bring everyone back to the same side Image/AI By Brycen Garrison There’s a strange thing we do in the fire service, and honestly, it’s not unique to us. We divide ourselves. We take one team, one mission, one purpose, and we split it into “us” and “them.” Shift versus shift. House versus house. Administrative folks versus line folks. We create competition where there should be collaboration, and we expect an amazing organization to somehow come out the other side. This mindset doesn’t make sense, yet it keeps showing up. And when it does, it erodes trust, support and culture. It creates distance between people who are actually working toward the same goal — serving our community and each other. We even start using derogatory terms or sarcastic labels that dehumanize the people across the “line,” as if they’re the problem. But here’s the truth: There is no line; there’s just us. | BETTER EVERY SHIFT: How’s your leadership pipeline? The strength in difference Every shift, station and division brings something different to the table — and that’s a good thing. One crew might pride itself on spotless rigs, another on perfectly maintained tools and another on keeping the house dialed in. Those differences don’t mean one is better than the other; they mean together, we’re balanced. When we combine everyone’s strengths, we fill in each other’s gaps. That’s how great organizations are built — through complementary differences, not competing ones. The danger comes when we start believing that for one group to succeed, another must fail. That belief system destroys teams. It’s like trying to win a game that doesn’t keep score. There’s no “winning” in the fire service if the result is people pulling against each other. The illusion of competition From an early age, we’re taught that there are winners and losers. That lesson works fine on a sports field, not so much in a firehouse. In life, success isn’t about beating someone else; it’s about lifting each other up. If we’re truly living our mission, vision and values, we can’t be in competition with one another. We’re one coin with two sides — line and staff, firefighters and firefighter-paramedics, command and crew. If you take a step back far enough, you can see both sides at once. That’s perspective. That’s leadership. More light for everyone I often think of it this way: If I’m a candle and I use my flame to light another candle, it doesn’t make my light any dimmer. It just creates more light for everyone to see. The same goes for our teams. Supporting someone else’s success doesn’t take away from your own; it multiplies it. When we build each other up, when we celebrate other people’s strengths, the whole organization shines brighter. Choose collaboration over competition So here’s my challenge to the fire service and beyond: Stop believing the “us versus them” myth. It’s not real. It’s just a story we’ve told ourselves for too long. The best organizations — the ones that truly serve their people and their communities — are the ones that replace competition with collaboration, criticism with curiosity, and resentment with respect. We’re not on opposite sides. We’re on the same side of the same mission. | WATCH: How Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell’s career was shaped by the fire family WATCH NOW Fire service leaders, the schedule is a leadership decision. If fatigue is driving injuries, burnout and recruiting challenges, it is time to examine the work cycle itself. Tune in to the newest Better Every Shift where James Geering makes the case for a fourth shift built on a 24/72 model. He outlines a clear formula to add the shift without increasing overall personnel costs while improving recovery, performance and long-term retention. Mark your calendar for First Responder Wellness Week 2026 Gordon Graham invites you to participate in First Responder Wellness Week 2026, exploring how total wellness builds true readiness on every shift, in every unit, and across entire agencies. From policy to training to data, every tool you use shapes your people’s well-being. Because wellness isn’t a program or a standalone effort. It’s a culture. Join us March 23-27! 3 AND OUT ... 3. Award for Valor: In addition to the IAFC’s Fire Chief of the Year Awards, the Ben Franklin Award for Valor nomination period is open until April 6. The award celebrates firefighters for their exemplary training, dedicated service and commitment to their duty in lifesaving efforts. Nominate a deserving firefighter today. 2. Ask the architect: Download a checklist of questions to ask your fire station architect long before breaking ground. The structured framework can help guide early conversations, clarify operational priorities and align expectations for the project. Get the guide. 1. CFSI Symposium: There’s still time to register for the 36th annual National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium and Dinner, March 18-19. Join fire service leaders from across the country for two days of networking, advocacy and celebration at one of the fire service community’s premier events. Register today. FireRescue1 does not send unsolicited messages. You are receiving this email because you are a FireRescue1 member and subscribed to this newsletter. If you do not want to receive this newsletter, you can opt-out here. 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