As a firefighter, are you
focused on your own self promotion, or promotion of the company?
That simple question opens
the door for many roads to travel down. But as a fire service leader or up and
coming leader, have you asked this question to yourself?
What is a fire service
leader? The first answer usually out of everyone’s mouth is “officer”. While the
answer “officer” is an accepted answer, this is not the only answer or possibly
even the best answer. A fire service leader can be any firefighter. Notice that
I refrained from using the terms “manager” or “officer”, but chose to use
“leader”. The missing link in your company could be you. If you take an "informal leadership" role, your company's potential may sky rocket.
Lets take it back a step.
What is leadership in the fire service?
Think about it.
-The ability to positively influence the company both in
the house and on the street?
-The ability to create a positive atmosphere in which
company strength can be developed through training?
-The ability to have an influence on others in the
company by a show of example? Doing the
right thing always, knowing your job, and knowing your tools.
-The ability to have a personal mindset that places
the company success before your own success?
Personal development is very
important in this business as is education. The new fire service is quickly
moving forward. Continuing education and developing yourself and your mind is
critical. Don’t be left behind. However, while engaging in your personal
development, share it with others. Encourage your brother/sisters to join you
in your personal development. Every firefighter that takes their career,
education, fitness, and skills to the next level assists in bringing the
company to the next level.
What kinds of behaviors
constitute “leadership”?
- Encouraging others to train with you on a topic
instead of taking an “easy day”.
- Leading by example: Checking off the truck, checking
your airpack, organizing your gear, practicing your skills, maintaining a clean
firehouse and truck, and treating each day on the job as the day “the big one”
is going to occur.
-Take company pride everyday, no matter how bad of a
day it is.
Perseverance is a character
trait to be proud of.
-Take an interest in your physical fitness and the
company’s physical fitness. Remember, in this job, you rely on the members of
your company to help you out in a bad situation. Everyone in the company should
be focused on physical fitness for not only their own health, but the safety of
your brothers/sisters.
-Go out and get an education. Go back to school for
your degree, take an NFA course, work on your certifications, study the
territory, read a book on the fire service, or refresh yourself on skills
already studied.
-Encourage other members of the company with more
experience to share that experience and real world skill craft with others. It
doesn’t help the company if only one guy knows how to do that.
“
You don’t work for me. You work with me.”
- Captain Brian Goodwin
The above quote is one that
my Captain said to me one night while helping me clean the bathrooms during
house work in 2012. I liked the quote because I feel like many fire service
officers do not have that style or view on their company. I wrote an article
for Tailboard Firefighting of North Carolina in April of 2012 on the topic of
management versus leadership. Again touching briefly on that topic, if you an
officer are you a manager or a leader? Remember, a manager ensures that his
subordinates complete assigned tasks. A leader creates an example, a focus, a
team, and mentors others on the team to build the group’s abilities and success
level. Are you the fire officer that you imagined yourself being when you rode
the back step? Are you a fire officer that firefighters will shape themselves
after when they reach promotion? Be honest with yourself. As the officer,
developing your men/women for the future and allowing them to think on their own,
giving them the tools for success, and letting them excel in their career is
your job.
“A
football team votes on its Captains to represent them: if your company or
department were to vote, would you still be Captain?”
- Firefighter Jeff Hannum
In a society that focuses on
“how can I get ahead and look good”, the members of the fire service cannot let
that become our focus. Take a look at yourself and make a change if needed. Finally,
no one person makes the company or fire service. We don’t have superstars.
Share knowledge and ideas. We need to build the company up. If every company
builds themselves up, the fire service is taken to the next level. Be open to changing and love your job
everyday. When you think the grass is greener doing something else, picture
yourself doing anything else. It might put things back in perspective.
Be safe out there, step up
and lead, even if you are not the officer.
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