Fire Chief

When was the last time attendees raved about the general session or keynote speaker at the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ Fire-Rescue International? It’s been a long time, but this year was different. Really different.

There are as many books on leadership as there are theories on how leadership works. One of my personal favorites is a short series that was started over 20 years ago by Dr. Wess Roberts, a former Army officer who turned his attention to leadership and motivation with such companies as Fireman’s Fund Insurance and Northrop. His most interesting books are Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun and its sequel Victory Secrets of Attila the Hun.

Don’t those employees who are showing up too tired for work have supervisors? If so, why are these supervisors enabling such behavior? Why aren’t they fulfilling their responsibilities to their other employees and to the public by allowing only those who are fit for duty to respond to fire and EMS calls?

Ancient Chinese philosopher Lao-Tzu once wrote, “Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time’ is to say ‘I don’t want to.’”

This week at the IAFC’s Fire-Rescue International, FIRE CHIEF recognized four men — two fire chiefs, one emergency vehicle technician and one former chief — who each took the time to make a difference during their careers.

A few years ago, several retired firefighters from the Tucson (Ariz.) Fire Department decided that they should open a fire museum. Unfortunately, a lack of both money and a building to house the museum prohibited the idea. However, the men were determined to find a memorable project to work on, so they decided to buy an old fire truck and convert it to a hearse that could be used for retired firefighters’ funerals.

I want to bring your attention to an area that the fire service needs to focus a tad more on — the socio-economic demographics of fire. Research is weak in this area and as a result public-education efforts aren’t up to par.

Many U.S. fire and EMS organizations use some form of the 24-hour shift for around-the-clock staffing, but that may soon be changing for both employers and employees. Changes may stem from employee safety and decision-making capabilities while working 24-hour shifts, organizational liability for actions by employees working 24-hour shifts, and changes in worker attitudes about work schedules in general.

“Welcome to wherever you are. This is your life, you made it this far.” Bon Jovi’s “Welcome to Wherever You Are” was one of six songs featured in a graduation video for Fairfax County (Va.) Fire & Rescue Department’s 122nd Recruit School, and its words poignantly matched the 1,000 photos of the recruits’ 22 weeks at the training academy. The 24 members of the graduating class made it through exercises in suppression, extrication, emergency medical care, rappelling, confined space and more.

The U.S. work force is undergoing some serious seismic shifts, not because the earth is shifting, but because the demographics of the available labor pool are changing drastically. This is particularly true for fire and EMS agencies.

The Arizona Fire Chiefs Association Conference was a hot one — 113°F hot, and exactly like what you’d expect July in Arizona to feel like.

The five days of programs were geared toward the more than 330 chiefs and officers and officers in attendance, with a group of young fire cadets listening in the back and waiting to assist. The group was intense and energized, seemingly solar-powered by the Arizona sunshine.