Battling the Enemy: The Militarization Metaphor in Wildland Firefighting Discourse

• In Event: So Far, So Good, Part 1: Organizational Communication Research Escalator

Abstract

With the magnitude, danger and damage of wildland fires mirroring the destruction of other natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes, tornadoes), it has become necessary to examine firefighters’ offensive stance against fire, particularly, the militarization metaphor woven throughout wildland firefighting discourse. This study proposes that the militarization metaphor constrains firefighter’s possibilities for action, directing them to activities that involve "fighting" fire, and limiting their ability to draw from a wider variety of actions, including declining assignments. Data include government documents (e.g., safety checklists, operations manuals, accident investigations) and firefighter discourse drawn from 38 individual interviews. Initial findings reveal that firefighters feel an obligation to act even when situations are too dangerous. Further, the option to decline assignments is not considered to be desirable or realistic. Recommendations include changing the occupational language of wildland fire so that activities can become less about “fighting” fire and more about “managing” it.

Author

• Jody Jahn, University of Colorado Boulder