Don’t Let Your Language Fool You: Risk “Transfer” is Not Risk “Mitigation”
Last week we featured writing from the Asheville Hotshots. This week we highlight several unconventional lessons generated by other folks in the Southern Area.
Saying/Thinking/Pretending We are Safe Does Not Make It So
This is Asheville IHC Reaction #13 - part of the Asheville Hotshots written reactions to "The Big Lie"
After Reading the “The Big Lie,” I 100 percent agree with what Mark Smith has to say in regards to the lies pervading our “safety oriented fire culture” and the many examples he uses in his essay.
The Change in Acceptable Risk Needs to Stem from the Top Down
This is Asheville IHC Reaction #14 - part of the Asheville Hotshots written reactions to "The Big Lie"
I agree and disagree with many things in Mark’s essay “The Big Lie.” The best thing it does is that it seems to have lots of people talking, from ground pounders to fire staff and national office types.
If You Don’t Like the Risks, Don’t Do the Job.
This is Asheville IHC Reaction #10 - part of the Asheville Hotshots written reactions to "The Big Lie"
2017 will be my fifth season fighting fire. I don’t think I can ever recall someone telling me that my job was safe. I don’t think I can recall anyone even giving the impression that my job was safe.
You Can Do Everything Right and Still Be Killed in This Job.
This is Asheville IHC reaction #11 - part of the Asheville Hotshots written reactions to "The Big Lie."
There are a lot of points that I agree with in “The Big Lie.” Things like fire is inherently dangerous, that a zero fatality goal is unattainable, and how much risk is acceptable.
No One Wants to Believe It Can Happen to Them
This is Asheville IHC Reaction #12 - part of the Asheville Hotshots written reactions to "The Big Lie"
After reading the Big Lie I was definitely on the same mindset as Mark Smith—no one wants to believe it can happen to them. I agree with the part of the essay that says “There is acceptable risk.
It's Wrong to Believe Wildland Firefighting is a Safe Job.
This is Asheville IHC Reaction #7 - part of the Asheville Hotshots written reactions to "The Big Lie"
What was your reaction after reading “The Big Lie”?
After reading both the essay and the response by Dave Williams, my reaction is that this is a job that has a huge amount of assumed risk.
Rethinking Policy and Guidelines Handed Down to Us.
This is Asheville IHC Reaction #8 - part of the Asheville Hotshots written reactions to "The Big Lie"
I would like to answer the questions within a single response.
My reaction to reading "The Big Lie" was of complete and total agreeing with the author. Our job as wildland firefighters is dangerous, and at most times not safe.
You Have to Look at It as a Cultural Problem.
This is Asheville IHC Reaction #9 - part of the Asheville Hotshots written reactions to "The Big Lie"
After reading the article, I would have to say that I agree with what is being said.
Not Everyone is on the Same Page
This is Asheville IHC Reaction #5 - part of the Asheville Hotshots written reactions to "The Big Lie"
I don’t necessarily believe it’s a Big Lie. Or at least the experience that I’ve had in this job is it is—and can be—very dangerous.