In a recent blog in Fire Chief Magazine Janet Wilmoth talks about a conversation we had at dinner where we discussed how we could tap the retiring experience of those who retire from the service. We coined the term the Elders as a way of showing respect and belonging. The “Elders” are what built the fire service. If we don’t learn from them we have to relearn their mistakes in everything from leadership to supporting tactical positions. The Elders are the foundations that allow us to keep building better and safer services. To simply give them a shadow box of their past lives is not enough,,as a matter of fact I have always looked at shadow boxes with sadness. What we really have is a treasure box of knowledge and experience that trinkets and brass can never express. A lot of retirement dinners/ceremonies feel like a funeral. As for me give me a wake where friends are invited to come and share stories and laughter as we step into a position where finally our careers cannot be harmed because we are gone. Think of the none psychophant influenced advice you can finally offer if you were appreciated and felt that someone had a legitimate interest in you and what you had to say. With this we may actually be able to learn from those who built the service and be able to grow without having to start our own foundation. Forming a group called the Elders is a great idea,,We will see what we can come up with.
