Ask the Question

𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

The fire service is often described as a close-knit family that sticks together and protects its own. And that's true. But honestly, we do a pretty bad job at the most critical moment: 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴.

We tell new hires to keep their heads down, stay quiet, and just listen. There's some value in that, sure. But at the same time, how can we truly know what they don't know if we never give them a chance to speak?

It's the same in the tech world. We tell people, 'Don’t ask me, just watch the video,' or push them to a webinar—or worse, a never-ending deck of slides.

But then again, how do we really understand what they need if I don't create space for questions?

Instead of just giving a quick answer, I've started saying, 'Let me tell you how I messed that up.'

That honesty? That vulnerability? It builds more trust than any polished presentation ever could.

So next time you're working with someone new—or if you're the newbie—embrace those 'stupid' questions. You might end up learning more than you realize, simply by sharing what you wish you'd known from the start.

Because I learned so much that way, when my mentor gave me the space to ask anything without judgment.

And honestly? That's how we all grow, both in the firehouse and beyond.

Josh Friedrich is a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Lewisville Fire Department in Lewisville, Texas, and the former Treasurer of the Lewisville Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 3606. With nearly two decades in the fire service, he brings a practical leadership perspective to both emergency response and organizational service.He serves as the Director of Digital Advocacy at NEP Services, where he supports labor organizations and nonprofit groups nationwide through strategic advocacy, digital infrastructure, public messaging, and member engagement initiatives.