Generation New Firefighter – The 2/20 Syndrome

Every department has at least one person, if not more, that has been on the job for two years and they think and act like they have been on the job for 20 years (thus, 2/20). Take it a step further; many departments also have 3/30 personnel, 4/40 personnel, etc. It is not too difficult to spot those folks; they are the ones that think they know it all and their way is the best way. One of the firefighters I work with coined that phrase after seeing an inordinate number of firefighters fresh off of probation walking around the fire station like they were veteran firefighters that had “been there, done that, and got the t-shirt.”

I guess we can blame part of this problem on the current generations of firefighters, but it doesn’t mean we have to tolerate or accept a 2/20 or 3/30 person. Nothing is farther from the truth. We need to acknowledge those folks and get them back on the right track.

Characteristics of a 2/20 (or 3/30, 4/40, etc.) firefighter:
1. Has been on the job for two years and think they have been there for at least 20 years.
2. Has “been there, done that.”
3. Does not show respect for the department, the rich traditions of the fire service, the veterans (of any rank), or their company officers and chief officers.
4. Thinks they know it all, and don’t need any further training or education.
5. Does not understand the concept of seniority and rank, or chain of command.
6. Is not open-minded when it comes to new ideas.
7. Does not know when to speak and when to shut up.
8. Thinks they are at the top of their game, and that the veteran firefighters are out of touch or uneducated.

What can you do to not let yourself fall into this trap? Here is my 11-step program to not let yourself become a 2/20 firefighter:

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