The Change in Acceptable Risk Needs to Stem from the Top Down
This is Asheville IHC Reaction #14 - part of the Asheville Hotshots written reactions to "The Big Lie"
I agree and disagree with many things in Mark’s essay “The Big Lie.” The best thing it does is that it seems to have lots of people talking, from ground pounders to fire staff and national office types.
If You Don’t Like the Risks, Don’t Do the Job.
This is Asheville IHC Reaction #10 - part of the Asheville Hotshots written reactions to "The Big Lie"
2017 will be my fifth season fighting fire. I don’t think I can ever recall someone telling me that my job was safe. I don’t think I can recall anyone even giving the impression that my job was safe.
You Can Do Everything Right and Still Be Killed in This Job.
This is Asheville IHC reaction #11 - part of the Asheville Hotshots written reactions to "The Big Lie."
There are a lot of points that I agree with in “The Big Lie.” Things like fire is inherently dangerous, that a zero fatality goal is unattainable, and how much risk is acceptable.
No One Wants to Believe It Can Happen to Them
This is Asheville IHC Reaction #12 - part of the Asheville Hotshots written reactions to "The Big Lie"
After reading the Big Lie I was definitely on the same mindset as Mark Smith—no one wants to believe it can happen to them. I agree with the part of the essay that says “There is acceptable risk.
It's Wrong to Believe Wildland Firefighting is a Safe Job.
This is Asheville IHC Reaction #7 - part of the Asheville Hotshots written reactions to "The Big Lie"
What was your reaction after reading “The Big Lie”?
After reading both the essay and the response by Dave Williams, my reaction is that this is a job that has a huge amount of assumed risk.
Rethinking Policy and Guidelines Handed Down to Us.
This is Asheville IHC Reaction #8 - part of the Asheville Hotshots written reactions to "The Big Lie"
I would like to answer the questions within a single response.
My reaction to reading "The Big Lie" was of complete and total agreeing with the author. Our job as wildland firefighters is dangerous, and at most times not safe.
You Have to Look at It as a Cultural Problem.
This is Asheville IHC Reaction #9 - part of the Asheville Hotshots written reactions to "The Big Lie"
After reading the article, I would have to say that I agree with what is being said.
Finally, Someone is Saying What We All are Thinking.
This is Asheville IHC Reaction #4 - part of the Asheville Hotshots written reactions to "The Big Lie"
I remember reading the essay the first time last summer while I was sitting at helibase in the rain. My supervisor had forwarded it to me and said it would be worth my time to read it.
Not Everyone is on the Same Page
This is Asheville IHC Reaction #5 - part of the Asheville Hotshots written reactions to "The Big Lie"
I don’t necessarily believe it’s a Big Lie. Or at least the experience that I’ve had in this job is it is—and can be—very dangerous.
This Needs to be Said on a National Level
This is Asheville IHC Reaction #6 - part of the Asheville Hotshots written reactions to "The Big Lie"
What was your reaction after reading “The Big Lie”?
First reaction, this is opinion-based and one-sided.
But with much thought, I realized that this is correct and written very well.