Enjoyed your article on the LAFCU web site. I think your views were valid and appropriate. I recently retired from the LAFD after 35 years and saw many changes as well. Although change is good, most of it seems to have resulted in the removal of the human element. The “Common-Sense” approach in solving problems seems to have been replaced by a manual.

Lack of experience coupled with the fear of reprisals has left many fire service leaders clueless. Just follow the directives or do what the book says is all most managers or supervisors rely on. If it ain’t written in some manual, then it must be acceptable.

So, now we have individuals operating out of a book instead of thinking or following an inner sense that tells them, “This might be a bad idea.” You said it. “How would I or my family like to be treated?”

Not many of us give that simple thought must consideration. But because we don’t is why there’s a significant increase in citizen complaints and problems arising in the workplace.