This past week Apple released its latest version of the iPhone. Pictures of Apples tires across the world bowed the Apple trend continues as people vie for the front spot and will wait in lines that wrap around city blocks just to update to the latest and greatest Apple device. With the shear numbers in those lines I can safely say that there was at least one first responder (EMT, Paramedic, Firefighter, Police Officer) in those crowds, and I would venture to guess that there was an average of 1 in every line across the world.
In addition to the release of the iPhone 5s and the newest iPhone 5c, Apple released the latest iOS known as iOS 7. I will admit, I was quick to pull the trigger and updated both my iPhone and iPad to this iOS. Really, who wouldn't want the newest if they weren't in the position to purchase a new device. But are we as quick to upgrade our career field education as we are with updating the technology we use to keep in touch with the world?
Having been in the retail electronics community before joining the world of public safety I developed a client base that I knew if I had a new product come out (some no matter the cost) they would be right in to purchase it. Now this was several years ago before phones became smart, and before tablets were more than the beginning operating systems of the Palm Pilot corporation. Time Management was developed through a paper based planner from Franklin Covey, and phones barely had caller ID let alone voicemail, text messaging, email, and autocorrect, but those customers would come and buy the latest computer, gadget, gidget or other cool thing we had. Those customers were able to take those devices and integrate those into their business and make their organization/individual more efficient and effective.
In the public safety community we are typically provided the best equipment that can be afforded, but what cannot be provided by our organization is what is within our personal skill sets, our knowledge. That is something that must be updated by ourselves, and one that we typically ignore and fail to upgrade.
I know one of the topics that I have spoken about with multiple directorsis the development of an professional development in the public safety community. This would take a blend of academic course work and experiential learning sessions to develop both the critical thinking knowledge base and the hands-on skills necessary to take a first responders capabilities to the next level. This accomplishes multiple outcomes for our personnel. One it provides a knowledgable response force that can handle most any situation that may face them. Second, it will also ensure that your agency has the ability develop a leadership cadre that is ready to take on new responsibility at any time. Third it will push your executive leadership to continue to develop themselves to bring the agencies strategic plan to the next level.
So as we look to purchase our next new tech toy, or upgrade to the latest we should also look at integrating the newest iResponder in ourselves.
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