Where is personal responsibility in employee engagement?

In today’s fire service, conversations around employee engagement often circle back to one thing: What can leaders do to motivate their teams? Company officers and administrative staff are constantly searching for new ways to inspire firefighters through mentorship programs, training initiatives, and culture-building activities.

But here’s a question we don’t ask often enough: What role does the individual firefighter play in their own engagement?

At some point, the responsibility has to shift. Engagement is not something that can be handed to someone—it must be chosen. A firefighter who takes ownership of their development, seeks out responsibility, and leans into opportunities for growth doesn’t just benefit the department—they build a career they can truly be proud of.

Professional development isn’t just about promotions or accolades. It’s about mastering your craft on the fireground, stepping up when the team needs you, and representing the values of this profession with pride. When a firefighter commits to being engaged, on and off shift, they contribute to something larger than themselves. They strengthen the department’s mission, shape its culture, and set the standard for those coming up behind them.

Leadership should certainly inspire. But lasting engagement happens when individuals take personal responsibility for their growth, their performance, and their legacy in the fire service.

So maybe it’s time to reframe the question: not just “How do we engage firefighters?” but “How can firefighters choose to be engaged?”

Respectfully,

Lt. Cesar Lora