Firefighters learn early in their careers that it is never a good idea to draw too much individual attention to themselves. Being part of the team, fitting in — these are the goals of most new firefighters, not standing out in any way.

Even when something really good is achieved, the cultural norm of the fire service demands that credit be given to the group rather than the individual. Some departments even codify this norm in a joking way by demanding that any firefighter who gets his or her picture in the paper must buy ice cream or doughnuts for the entire crew.

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