Fire Department Leadership…A Critical Safety Issue By: Chief Dennis Compton ©

Introspection

2004 Firefighter LODD Summit in Tampa, Florida2004 Firefighter LODD Summit in Tampa, Florida 2007 follow-up meeting in Novato, California2007 follow-up meeting in Novato, California (Both identified Fire Service leadership and supervisory culture as a critical issue) (Both identified Fire Service leadership and supervisory culture as a critical issue)

Culture: “the sum total of ways of living built up by a group of human beings and transmitted from one generation to another.” Culture: “the sum total of ways of living built up by a group of human beings and transmitted from one generation to another.”

Is there a single “fire service culture” in the nation today? That’s debatable

Consistent Fire Department Values: Focus on service…saving lives andFocus on service…saving lives and property property Strong sense of identity as a firefighterStrong sense of identity as a firefighter TeamworkTeamwork CamaraderieCamaraderie CompassionCompassion CourageCourage Acceptance of personal riskAcceptance of personal risk

These values are not defined or acted out in the same way in all fire departments…and that influences the differences in culture among fire departments. These values are not defined or acted out in the same way in all fire departments…and that influences the differences in culture among fire departments.

Healthy Definitions The focus on service…saving lives and property is built on a foundation of training and respect for the entire fire and life safety system

Fire Chief/Dept. Training and Development (Staff) Public Affairs; Partnerships; and Politics (Staff) Infra- Structure Management (Staff) Prevention and Investigation s (Line) Fire and Life Safety Education (Line) Dispatch, Response, and Homeland Security (Line) Admin, Fiscal and HR Management ; and Internal Relations (Staff) The Fire & Life Safety Management & Leadership System (Line and Staff)

Healthy Definitions The strong sense of identity as a firefighter includes maintaining a positive, productive, and healthy attachment to the position…not a self-aggrandizing, arrogant, or infallible identity.

Healthy Definitions Teamwork, camaraderie, and compassion are complimented by effective leadership, supervision, and decision-making

Healthy Definitions Courage and acceptance of risk are acted-out within a standard risk profile, and potential gain is factored into strategic, tactical, and task level decisions

Impact of leadership on firefighter safety 16 LODD Life Safety Initiatives

Five Focus Areas to Consider 1.Heart Attacks & Strokes 2.Vehicles 3.Strategy 4.Crew Integrity 5.Training

1. Heart Attacks and Strokes (Emphasize Rehab)

2. Vehicles Please Wear Your Seat Belts

3. Strategy Avoid offensive positions on defensive fires.

4. Crew Integrity Stay Together: Voice or Vision or Touch

5. Training Must be a controlled situation and environment.

Five Focus Areas to Consider 1.Heart Attacks & Strokes 2.Vehicles 3.Strategy 4.Crew Integrity 5.Training

MAP is a performance improvement tool that integrates into any training curriculum. It enhances command and control, leadership, decision-making, overall effectiveness, and safety.

Composure is critical…and so is analysis.

Assess Your Department Assess Your Department How does your department define and act-out the consistent FD values previously identified?How does your department define and act-out the consistent FD values previously identified? Do you have written SOP’s and expectations for behavior and performance? Are they enforced?Do you have written SOP’s and expectations for behavior and performance? Are they enforced? Does the culture embrace a structured health, wellness, and fitness program?Does the culture embrace a structured health, wellness, and fitness program?

Assess Your Department Assess Your Department Are there written guidelines and rules for operating and riding in vehicles…including seatbelt use? Are they enforced?Are there written guidelines and rules for operating and riding in vehicles…including seatbelt use? Are they enforced? Do you use a risk management profile to guide decision-making, strategy development, and tactical commitments?Do you use a risk management profile to guide decision-making, strategy development, and tactical commitments? Is teamwork valued within the culture and is free-lancing unacceptable?Is teamwork valued within the culture and is free-lancing unacceptable?

Assess Your Department Assess Your Department Is composure considered an important trait and is psychological and emotional fitness part of training?Is composure considered an important trait and is psychological and emotional fitness part of training? Are all members empowered to bring safety issues to the forefront?Are all members empowered to bring safety issues to the forefront? Are effective leadership and personal accountability viewed as important?Are effective leadership and personal accountability viewed as important?

Assess Your Department Assess Your Department Is there a process for infusing significant change into the department?Is there a process for infusing significant change into the department? Do incident reviews result in information exchange and positive change?Do incident reviews result in information exchange and positive change? (Focusing on these organizational keys will have a positive impact on the culture of your fire department as it relates to firefighter safety)

Introspection

Fire Department Leadership…A Critical Safety Issue By: Chief Dennis Compton