Author: Eddie Jett
In this fast-paced world we live in, everybody gets in a hurry. Including me! We all have somewhere to be that’s more important than where we are right now. Fair assessment? It may be a 5 o’clock ball game for the kids or an exciting night out on the town. Regardless, we all get distracted and in a hurry.
We all know the cliche “time is money” and that is true. However, the life safety industry requires more attention to detail than sometimes we give it. I know, I know, I’m preaching to the choir. I am not throwing stones because in this instance, I truly live in a glass house! Did you check the spare head box? Did you call monitoring and put the system back online? Did you give the borrowed keys back to the maintenance supervisor? You have to be attentive and do your job with integrity. There is nobody there whispering in your ear “did you do a complete walk through?” to give you a friendly reminder of what you are supposed to be doing. Slow down. Double check. Cross your T’s and dot your I’s. Be descriptive and detailed on your reports, people’s lives depend on it.
In the case of life safety inspections be it fire alarm, fire sprinkler, special hazards, fire extinguishers, etc…. we have to remember what we do is very important. I know that sometimes it gets boring and many times it’s a thankless job that a lot of people don’t even know exist. Let me tell you something… YOU ARE IMPORTANT. I value you. Many others value you too, they just don’t know it until they need your services and then everything you inspected worked as intended.
I want you to take a moment and think about who your favorite person, or people are in this world. Is it your spouse? Is it your children? Whomever it may be, would you be OK for them to be in a building that you inspected knowing that their lives are dependent upon how thorough of a job you did? I want to do the best job I can for my favorite people, and I want YOU to do the best job you can for MY favorite people as well! I’ll do it for you if you do it for me…. Deal?!?!
Our day-to-day work lives can become monotonous and create complacency in our jobs. Complacency is not a good thing when the poor results of your job could create a negative outcome on people’s lives. If you feel that you are becoming complacent, it might be a good idea to have an honest conversation with your immediate supervisor about it. We all need a “refresh” at some point and that is nothing to be ashamed of!
The older I get and the quicker I see my kids growing up makes me appreciate the old saying of “slow down and smell the roses.” The ball games, hot dates and long-awaited concerts are important to us, no doubt. But remember, you are a LIFE SAFETY inspector. You must not forget that. Slow down, take your time, be attentive and precise. I can’t say this enough but thank you. Thank you for what you do for me and my family. You are important, never forget that!
Eddie Jett
