Building up the Brotherhood: 5 Ways to Increase Camaraderie and Morale at the Firehouse

The bond among brothers can be strong, and in the firehouse, the brotherly connection among firefighters can be a lifesaving bond. It makes everything better: the environment in the department, the ability to manage things on a tough call and afterward, and downtime together.

May 24 is Brother’s Day, a day to celebrate your brothers — those who are blood-related to you and those at the firehouse. Here are a few ways you can connect with your brothers (and sisters) in the department and improve morale all around:

• Take the time to talk to a firefighter in the department whom you do not regularly connect with. It is easy enough to show the people you are closest to at the firehouse that they are important to you, but on Brother’s Day — or any day — taking the time to focus on someone whom you do not usually spend time with can be a great thing for you and for them. This doesn’t have to be a big gesture, and you don’t have to even leave the firehouse. Just go over and sit next to someone whom you don’t usually sit with and ask them how they are doing, or engage with them on whatever they are doing at the moment and begin to build rapport.
• Set it up. Do you think there should be get-togethers planned to watch big games? Would an inter-department bowling team be a good idea? Is there a firefighter struggling due to a sick child or other family catastrophe who could benefit from a firehouse fundraiser? If there is something you think would support the connection among people in the firehouse, take it upon yourself to set it up and make it happen.
• Be persistent and consistent. If you set up a workout group, a coffee or book club, or an intramural sports team, keep up with it. Don’t drop the ball and miss meetings or otherwise let down people who are interested in it. If participation is low at first, still keep at it. Get the word out and encourage people to come, or ask around and see if people would like to do something different and make some changes.
• Go in early, stay late. Going in 20 minutes before your shift or staying 20 minutes late gives you an opportunity to help the people who are going on or coming off shift, find out what they experienced on shift and what needs to be done, and otherwise ease the transition for everyone.
• Offer to help. If there’s a big project going on at the firehouse when you’re not on shift, a big event coming up, or there has recently been a crisis or really tough call, show up and offer your assistance, however it will be most useful.

What will you do to build up the brotherhood in your department?