“You can’t just scrape by, you have to step up.”

Why did you become a firefighter?

Captain Marc Davidson served eight and a half years in the Marine Corps before joining the fire service. After serving his country, Davidson wanted a profession that would help him ease back into civilian life while allowing him to serve his community.

He narrowed it down to two options: police officer or firefighter. After making a thorough pros and cons list, the decision was clear. Firefighting aligned much more with Captain Davidson’s personality and he knew that’s where he would best be able to leverage his skills to help his community.

There are many similarities between the military and the fire service for which Captain Davidson leans on his experience. “Both professions provide a time-compressed, dynamic environment where decisions have high consequences,” Captain Davidson drew the comparison. “You need to have strong moral values, credibility and trust to succeed in both the fire service and in the military.”

Today, in addition to his duties as captain for Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, Captain Davidson teaches classes on small unit leadership, officer development, and team dynamics for his department and several other regional agencies.

What advice do you have for other firefighters?

“You don’t need to have firefighter experience or family history of firefighting to enter the fire service.”

There are many potential firefighters who feel that they aren’t qualified to earn a position because they don’t have the experience that some others have. “There may be others with more experience in the field,” Captain Davidson admitted, “but everyone has to start somewhere!”

Captain Davidson encourages anyone who has high values and wants to take care of their community to consider firefighting. “These factors are way more important than just having firefighting experience.”

What changes do you foresee in the the fire service?

Technology continues to march on, bringing changes to the fire service every year. Captain Davidson is amazed with all of the changes he has seen since he began in the fire service. “Every year, there is new technology that makes our job safer and more effective.”

Outside of technology, the next huge step that the fire service will take is in becoming more diverse. This shift is important for those who now feel that they have an opportunity to become a firefighter when they may not have seen it as an option in the past.

“Diversity in every single way is important.”

The volunteer fire service may benefit the most from diversity and inclusion efforts since many volunteer departments are having difficulties addressing their communities’ needs. “We need to be proactive to make sure [volunteer fire departments[ have enough hands on deck to take care of their communities’ needs,” Captain Davidson pointed out.

Captain Davidson focused his lesson on continued service.

“As a firefighter, you should value public service above all else.”

“No matter what role you play in this service,” Captain Davidson continued, “you will always need to improve upon your craft. Becoming a firefighter is JUST the beginning of a career full of improvements and training.”

Every organization needs to grow and improve. “The only way the fire service moves forward is when people who are willing to push to make the department better work hard to bring in new equipment and create new and improved policies,” Davidson hit a turning point in his career when he recognized this.

“You can’t just scrape by, you have to step up.” Captain Davidson took a leadership role in his department by training his fellow firefighters to improve upon themselves in the same way he has improved upon himself throughout his career.

“That change doesn’t just happen,” Captain Davidson noted. “It takes many people in the organization to step up and make their organization better. It takes someone fighting to get funding and convincing others that it’s important.“

“If we don’t push, we just stagnate.“