For so long now I have struggled with the issue that I hear so often as I converse with firefighters and fire officers from across the nation. That concept or issue is a profound struggle between the leadership and the troops of organizations. As it is frequently described is that we are working profoundly against […]

2016-Strive to be a better Leader, Fire Officer, Firefighter, Instructor, Mentor, Role Model, Senior or Junior “guy|gal”, “Brother”, Friend, Person….Human; Be accountable, become engaged, be responsible and better yourself in your varied roles and responsibilities towards those you love and care for. You have nothing but blank pages to fill in your book of life […]

National Safety Culture Change Initiative: Study of Behavioral Motivation on Reduction of Risk-Taking Behaviors in the Fire and Emergency Service Developed by the International Association of Fire Chiefs through a partnership with the U.S. Fire Administration {Excerpts} Controlling and extinguishing hostile fire comes at a great cost to human life and secondarily at great financial […]

              Join me tonight(Wednesday December 16, 2015) at 7:30pm on the Fire and Training show hosted by Fire Engineering’s Blogtalk Radio as we explore the topic of Growing Leaders.  I will be joined by great mentors and coaches that will provide  dynamic  dialogue and knowledge on this topic.

Chief Dan Jones – Early in my Fire Service career I was taken under the wing of a couple of older and more experienced firefighters who spent lots of time with me, sharing stories, talking about fire department careers and reinforcing lessons about how best to do the job and succeed. I remember sitting in […]

            Cancer is the most dangerous and unrecognized threat to the health and safety of firefighters. Multiple studies have demonstrated the connection between firefighting and cancer. Join host Douglas Cline and a diverse group of fire service professions as they discuss the scary realities of firefighter cancer risks, their personal experiences, […]

We the Fire Service… We the Fire Service have a debt of gratitude. One generation shall praise your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. I know that as a fire service member I have a large debt of gratitude to many people who have paved the way for me and others like […]

As I reflect back over the years in my career there is one lesson I remember that resinates from my mentors, “If you put the organization first, then your wants and ambitions will soon follow. But it is always about the orgainization first, your suborindates second and you are last.” Well I have to often […]

Hello theFireOfficer.com readers and followers! This is a new addition to the website that will focus on the leadership skills, knowledge and abilities that every fire officer; old or new, experienced or rookie, company officer or chief officer must have to be successful. This column will appear with some regularity and will share with you […]

It has been said that we influence a number of people in our lifetime. Your circle of influence depends upon you as individuals and the area you may be in. It could depend upon the organization, rank structure, personal boldness or even other peoples’ willingness to be influenced. So with so many dimensions why is […]