1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

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

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

32. 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.

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