The Price Paid For Being In Charge

One thing that I have noticed in recent years, is that everyone in our fire department wants to be a chief or an officer. They must realize that with these positions comes a huge amount of responsibility. It also creates drastic changes in ones home life. The price to pay for leadership these days is a steep one. When the "Big One" comes in and you are in command, you may be surprised at the how high a price you'll pay for that title, you worked so hard to achieve. You must develop a new attitude, but the firefighters at the station house remember the old you, and they want you to act as the old you. But the fact is the old you is gone and an effective leader must emerge.

Here are some of the things that may or should change as you progress up the scale;

1)Your reputation is always on the line: When your department makes that big save or rescue your department shine in the ole spotlight, but when it fails, you are the one who takes the blame. You, my friend, are the company scapegoat. Because in the fire service it(you know what IM thinking) slides up to the top dog. Your actions sum it all up in seconds.

2)The expectations from you are high: Leaders are expected to represent our ideals and that can be a tough job to tackle. You will be expected to have the patience of Job, the decisiveness of Napoleon, the compassion of Mother Teresa and a high level of human relation skills. You must master emotions of your own and of others. Without letting the two come together like two freight trains on the same track.

3)You will have to make life or death choices: You can expect that the choices you make will impact many peoples lives for many years to come. Your decisions will not please all. You will take the heat from critics and praise from believers. You may have to discipline someone who violates the rules or turn down a worthy applicant.

4)Long days are the norm of your life: Someone once defined a fire chief as someone who comes in early when your late and comes in late when your early. This doesn't include the piles of paperwork they take home with them.

5)Emotional stress is likely: The enormous demands placed upon an individual are sure to be great. Everyone wants a minute of your time, when you have none to spare.

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