Friends And The Fire Department

I have noticed in recent months is that everyone in my fire department wants to be a chief or an officer. They jump to the conclusion that just because someone their own age is elected to the office of chief or other officers position, they should also be there. GUESS AGAIN!!!!!!! Not everyone is cut out to be an officer. It takes a great deal of responsibility and dedication. You have to do it for the feeling of helping someone in need, not for the title. Dedication to the department you love is everything, you may not be the greatest leader they have seen, but you are there everytime someone needs you. It may cause great conflicts among people who were once great friends. Cause tension with those who were not elected to the position they ran for. 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 may have to put the friends you cherish so much in a position they may not like. But they have to remember, you were elected to be their leader. They have to respect that, you chose to be in that position and they must heed your every command. Your not there to be a dictator, you are there to guide them through troubled times. 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. The old you is gone as far as firematic functions go and someone far different is here to stay. If they can't handle that as fact, then maybe they should step down and find another department to their liking.

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.

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic