A good firehouse has an impact on individuals and fire departments as a whole, according to Captain Mike Gagliano and Captain Mike Dugan at their “Firehouse Excellence” workshop Tuesday morning. Traveling around the country, Gagliano and Dugan have heard the same message from many individual firefighters: “They love the job, but work in a place that is stealing their passion.” But no matter what the individual firehouse’s size, make-up, or primary mission, it can be a great place to work if certain basic core principles are implemented. 

The most essential element for outstanding firehouse is that members realize their role matters, and that they must put the team’s needs before their own. When that attitude becomes contagious, most everything else will fall into place very rapidly. Firefighters must feel the burn to do whatever it takes to make a firehouse they can be proud of. 

Focusing on certain critical areas is essential in making a great firehouse: presenting a compelling vision, exhibiting individual responsibility, demonstrating house pride, teamwork, and preparedness for whatever task must be done. 

The presenters drew on many years of experience in good and bad situations, weaving personal experiences, videos, and class participation to inspire individuals to pursue “what could be” and not just settle for “what is.”
Firefighters truly want to work in a place that understands the mission, prepares for battle, and takes care of its members. “Once you work at a place like that, you will never be comfortable with less.”

Mike Gagliano has 24 years of fire/crash/rescue experience with the U.S. Air Force and the Seattle (WA) Fire Department, where he is the captain of Ladder 5. He co-authored Air Management for the Fire Service (Fire Engineering, 2008) with Casey Phillips, Phillip Jose, and Steve Bernocco. Michael M. Dugan is a 25-year veteran of the Fire Department of New York, where he is the captain of Ladder Company 123.