Would You Do It Again?
By Dennis L. Rogers
This may sound absurd, but as an executive fire officer I had the opportunity to begin a new career as a professional recruit firefighter at the age of 42 with the Frederick County (Md.) Fire Rescue Service. This, of course, is complex for many reasons — age, education, certifications and public-sector experience.
I am a third-generation volunteer firefighter with the Warrenville (Ill) Fire Protection District for 22 years, holding the rank of captain. Applying my fire-service experience with my law-enforcement career as a detective sergeant with the DuPage County (Ill.) Sheriff’s Office gave me the opportunity to become the commander of the DuPage County Fire Investigation Task Force.
So why set out to become a recruit firefighter? Because of geographical and personal constraints, I had a limited region in which to work as a professional firefighter. So I looked to the Mid-Atlantic area, but a vast majority of fire departments are county-based and support individual volunteer fire companies within the respected counties. Many of the management positions in such agencies are filled from within, leaving few — if any — outside opportunities.
Still, I took it upon myself to compete for 30 open positions. With personal control and self-confidence, I thought the situation could work to my advantage. But with such experience, my personal challenge as a leader in starting over again was humility. The key for me was how valuable I felt as a person.
Although I already had attained the basic certifications as an EMT-B, Firefighter III, and Fire Officer I — along with several of other certifications in Illinois and the National Fire Academy — Frederick County required me to attend its own fire academy.
I was thankful that I was mentally and physically strong enough to continue being a firefighter, even if it required me to become a rookie once again. As a leader, I knew there was value in attending the fire academy for many reasons. I could learn the culture of the organization through the eyes of a rookie firefighter. I could get back into a fitness regimen and get back to the basics of firefighting, which would correct some bad habits that I acquired over the years. These basic lessons would reinforce my knowledge, hands-on skills and critical thinking.
Successful leaders view life as a journey of continued growth and development. Every career and life experience — peppered with formal education and pertinent knowledge —directs the professional toward unanticipated opportunities. I have always strived to better myself, to keep driving forward, even if it seems unusual or doesn’t make sense initially.
Dennis L. Rogers is a firefighter with the Frederick County (Md.) Fire Rescue Service. He previously served as a captain with the Warrenville (Ill.) Fire Protection District and a detective sergeant with the DuPage County (Ill.) Sheriff’s Office. Rogers is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer program.
