How To Become A Better Fire Chief Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., MIFireE PO Box 100 Adelphia, NJ 07710 ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

Why Are We Here Today It is my desire to make the fire service a better place I believe I can help you become a better fire chief You want to make the fire service a better place for the people in your fire department ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

Why Are We Here Today You believe yourself to be a good fire chief, but are not sure how good. You suspect that you might not be a good fire chief, but wish to seek help. ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

Why Are We Here Today Someone has registered you in error You are in the wrong room You have been forced into this room by threats and intimidation Your conscience got the best of you ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

My Research Program Ongoing interview process Only fire chiefs at this time Looking to interview administrators in the future Build future leadership success ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

How Can You Recognize A Bad Fire Chief? Mean and Nasty Selfish Rooted in the past No understanding of the word “money” ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

How Can You Recognize A Bad Fire Chief? Know it all attitude Arrogant and egotistical Unable to accept any sort of change in their routine or their fire department’s operations ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

How Can You Recognize A Good Fire Chief? They like people They prefer to help people They support their people They can find money ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

How Can You Recognize A Good Fire Chief? Encourage change They search for new and improved ways to do things Willing to listen to their people Looking for new funding ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

A Good Fire Chief Possesses a clear vision of where they want the organization to go Is a good communicator A person of unquestioned personal integrity ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

A Good Fire Chief? Never compromises their principle for selfish gain Remains current with national issues and current trends Is technically competent ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

A Good Fire Chief Is open minded Can subdue their ego for the good of the fire department Values achievement among their subordinates in the department ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

A Good Fire Chief Has a continual thirst for knowledge and personal growth Is loyal to the department, its mission, and its members Is humble ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

A Good Fire Chief Has mature interpersonal skills Is a good listener & an effective communicator Is flexible and adaptable Knows how to wisely use the resources of their community ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

A Good Fire Chief Shows up, works hard, and gets the job done and lets the troops do the same Is able to balance the concerns of their people with the concerns of the community ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

A Good Fire Chief Is able to look forward with hope, in the face of harsh reality Confident in the capabilities of other people in the department (Delegates) Never takes themselves too seriously (Just their duties) ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

A Good Fire Chief Is able to say thank you Is able to use discipline wisely Understands where money comes from, and why you cannot have everything you want ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

A Good Fire Chief Does Not Lie Cheat Steal ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

A Good Fire Chief Does Not Abuse people Abuse their authority Blame others for their own shortcomings ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

How Can You Become A Better Fire Chief? Decide you want to change Assess yourself Ask a friend for help ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

How Can You Become A Better Fire Chief? List your strong points as well as your weak points Seek out a mentor, a person whose opinion and skills you respect and wish to emulate ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

How Can You Become A Better Fire Chief? Discuss creating a plan to improve your existing skills & acquire new ones Determine any gaps that might exist in your educational background ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

How Can You Become A Better Fire Chief? Decide with your mentor how will you improve your educational background Create a reading list (books, magazines, newspapers) ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

How Can You Become A Better Fire Chief? Attend credit courses at the college level Attend courses at the National Fire Academy Attend a major fire conference ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

How Can You Become A Better Fire Chief? Search for role models Monitor your progress and confer with your mentor on a regular basis Do something ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

Some Final Thoughts Be sure to set goals, and periodically assess your progress against those goals ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

Some Final Thoughts Listen to your friends Monitor your enemies ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

Some Final Thoughts You must accept criticism gracefully ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

Some Final Thoughts Do not lose your temper ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

Some Final Thoughts Do not cling to the ideas of the past ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

Some Final Thoughts Look for allies & fellow travelers to share your journey to excellence. ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

Some Final Thoughts Be willing to do what is best for everyone in your fire department ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

Your Goal Should Be To Become the Best Fire Chief in The World ©2002 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.