Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in the What Firefighters Want in 2024 digital edition. Download your copy here. And check out the full series here.
By FireRescue1 Staff
It’s easy to criticize leadership — who doesn’t think they can do a better job than the person giving the orders? But when those at the top lead in a way that inspires and galvanizes others, it’s special, and something worth sharing. In the What Firefighters Want in 2024 industry report, respondents shared what they admired and appreciated about how their fire chief runs their department. For fire service leaders, these comments are a road map for how to best guide fire crews.
What sets your chief apart? Send an email to editor@firerescue1.com with your comments and see what others said below:
- “Lets those around him lead in their positions, doesn’t get involved where he isn’t needed”
- “Getting the proper funding to further the department’s goals”
- “Fireground command skills”
- “Explaining decisions to the company officers who are directly affected”
- “Great personal vision and values for the organization; mission driven and focused on how we deliver service”
- “Connects well with field personnel and does a great job advocating for our members”
- “Innovates and brings new ideas to the organization, while continuing to pursue the highest level of performance, training, and output from the workforce”
- “Good firefighter tactically”
- “Promoting training and personal improvement”
- “Being honest and holding members accountable”
- “Good strategic planner and communicator”
- “Looks for alternative ways to address problems and applying a scientific approach to problem-solving”
- “Seeks to implement culture change”
- “Treats everyone fairly”
- “Political and strategic planning for the future of the agency”
- “Calm and intelligent during emergency events”
- “Good with budgeting money and not going crazy spending it”
- “Empathy”
- “Not stuck in tradition”
- “Embracing technology”
- “Always know that he has our backs”
- “Consistent, clear expectations”
- “Loves everyone like family, wants to keep pushing people to take classes and be great”
- “Integrity”
- “Leadership, setting the example, integrity and commitment to department”
- “Ability to understand most problems and prioritize them”
- “Everything”
Excelling at the wrong things:
- “Climbing the career ladder”
- “Looking out for himself”
- “Kissing ass”
- “Taking vacation”
- “Talking”
- “Lying”
- “Looks”
- “Golf”
