Page 19 - InCommand Volume 31

OFE SPOTLIGHT
Ihad been a platoon chief for five years when I considered attending the Ohio Fire Executive Program. My chiefs had graduated from the program and were big supporters. I enjoy being an incident commander and officer-in-charge, so I
was unsure if I wanted to promote higher. I already had a full plate with my small maple syrup farm in Geauga County and instructing NIMS and Hazmat. My chiefs assured me it was invaluable leadership training that would be applicable to my current role, as well. I applied and was accepted into OFE Class 18.
Many of the reading assignments and projects were related to leadership and critical thinking. Time management was important to stay on track with the assignments, the applied research project, and keep up with my normal duties at work. Setting time aside to work on these projects consistently was helpful.
The environment of the classes was my favorite part of the program. All 20 of
us were at pretty similar stages in our career, some being company officers, shift bosses, and some current fire chiefs. The perspectives from the different ranks added value to the class. Having an opportunity to see what challenges each member’s department was facing and how they came up with solutions interested me a lot. The networking began the first week of class. We created a class Facebook page and would put questions out to everyone about upcoming assignments and issues we were working on at our departments.
The presentations, meetings, and work groups kept the class moving through the week-long sessions at the Ohio Fire Chief ’s office. The self-assessment exercise was a really interesting development tool used to bring awareness to the areas that need
attention. The food was pretty good too. We had class dinners at local restaurants and other times we had food delivered into the facility.
There were many accomplished speakers that our class had the opportunity to listen to during the program. They are experts in their fields and passed along great information. The fire law class taught by attorneys was one of OFE Class 18’s favorite. Our class had the distinction of completing week five via Zoom meetings due to the COVID-19 threat. We were able to share our presentations and collaborate within our teams in individual Zoom “classrooms.”
I would say participating in the program was a good experience for my professional development. The program exposed me to a lot of great people from around the state that I can draw from their collective experience. I apply many of the skills we developed in class on a daily basis, and I would recommend this program to anyone that wants to develop their leadership skills.
I want to thank the staff at the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association’s office for taking such good care of us! Jim Bodenmiller and Anne Beauch really took care of every detail making the program a great experience.
JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 • www.ohiofirechiefs.org I n C o m m a n d 19
Jay Womack, OFE
Graduated from fire and paramedic school in 1997
Became a part-time firefighter in 1997
Hired by the Euclid Fire Department in 2000
Hired by University Hospitals Medevac as a flight medic in 2005-2007
Joined the Heights Area Special Rescue Team from 2008-2012
Promoted to Lieutenant in 2008
Promoted to Training Captain in 2010
Promoted to Platoon Chief in 2012
Joined the Chagrin/Southeast Regional Hazmat Team in 2014
(Hazmat Control Officer-2016)
Graduated Ohio Fire Executive Class 18 in 2020