“If it stops, then I’ll start worrying.” Humor as part of the fire service culture, specifically as part of coping with critical incidents

Abstract Firefighters are reluctant to talk about firefighters’ humor with outsiders. This closed attitude has led a lack of understanding this important coping strategy in the outside world. It is not clear how firefighters experience and its role as part fire service culture why they consider be when critical incidents. Data been collected by means 20 participant observations 72 interviews Dutch from 37 different stations. Joking joviality elements culture. Firefighter usually creates unity, but can also lead exclusion. Whether joke perceived funny depends on who makes joke, moment, content, frequency joke. Black used start conversation and, indirectly, make it possible discuss emotions tends positively influence group dynamics. However, black absent case certain incidents because personal boundaries unwritten rules. The absence sign for crew commander pay extra attention coping.