An integral vision for the Fire and Rescue Service
This year marks the 100th year anniversary of FIRE magazine, the voice of firefighting and fire prevention.
To mark this historic occasion we have embarked upon an ambitious project to draw together all the ingredients that make the UK Fire and Rescue Service the world’s best, whilst leaving behind all debilitating influences. To facilitate this endeavour we have drawn upon the Integral Approach, a model that provides a comprehensive structure for working with what works and dismissing that which does not.
The four quadrant model covers the individual and collective internal and external dimensions, thus providing a complete, four dimensional view of reality. The Integral Approach maintains that everything, from the atom to human beings to nation states have all of these dimensions all at once and everything must be considered together.
The Integral Approach also stresses the importance of development across all quadrants. The developmental aspect of the model is underlined by the nature of evolution in that we transcend and include. There are therefore two basic tenets in place:
· Previous approaches have been true but partial – the Integral Approach is the only model that is fully comprehensive;
· To develop appropriately, the system must transcend and include previous development levels – not destroy what went before.
The basic model is all quadrants (I, We, It and Its) and all levels. The more advanced structure includes all lines of development, such as cognitive, emotional and interpersonal; all states, ie, levels of consciousness; and types, which accounts for male/female and personality differences.The simple premise of the Integral Approach means it can be applied to any and every aspect of emergency service work and yet can be developed to the highest level of complexity for specific issues. FIRE magazine is committed to championing an approach that is the most accessible yet sophisticated model available at present. We believe it is the most convenient structure for investigating every aspect of your organisation’s work. On a broader scale this device can enable and illuminate everything from organisational restructuring to the sound environmental planning required to ensure the long-term survival of the planet.
Andrew Lynch
Editor
FIRE magazine
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