Page 7 - InCommand Volume 31

4. Engage with your schools. The local fire department should most certainly have a presence in your local school system. Athletic events, assemblies, and other similar activities are a great way to be seen and to meet new people. Buy a couple of tickets to the high school musical; the students and the parents will be grateful for your support, and trust me, they won’t forget it.
5. Volunteer. There are lots of great ways to serve your community, other than as a public safety official. I have had a great time volunteering at our local food bank, ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, and being a regular blood donor for the American Red Cross. Again,
these don’t take a tremendous amount
of time, but they are very valuable. And for me, I often feel like I get more than I give. These activities can be extremely rewarding and very appreciated by your local residents.
6. Get involved. Join committees and organizations within your community. There are always boards that are looking for new members, advisory groups looking for community input, and a local fire chief is often a perfect fit.
7. Share information. Don’t let the only time you talk to the news media
be after a major emergency. When
your employees are doing some unique training, invite the media, send a
press release. When members of your organization achieve recognition, awards, or obtain new certifications, share that information.
8. Use social media. This is sometimes a big turn off for a lot of fire chiefs.
Yes, I certainly understand the negative side of social media. However, it is
the most efficient, and quickest way to share information with your community members. Posting information about exciting activities taking place within your organization can boost interest from the community. Also, it is an important conduit which can be used to share critical information as well, such as weather emergencies, road closures, etc.
9. Be the face of your department. I know that in larger departments a public information officer is often assigned.
I’m not proposing that a PIO is not an important position and that for many departments it makes a lot of sense. However, the community should never wonder who the fire chief is. Perhaps
you can have the PIO formulate the information, draft a press release, notify the media, but you are the person who steps in front of the camera.
10. Finally, take every opportunity
to be a part of your community. Eat at local restaurants on your main street, use a local bank for your personal finance needs, or drop your uniforms off at the downtown family-owned dry cleaner. Go to the park, the library, and shopping centers. Every day that you are the fire chief is an opportunity to engage with your community, build relationships, and meet new people.
Never forget that you are always on duty. You may not be on an emergency call, or conducting official fire department business, however, you are always in the role of the fire chief and the community expects to be able to talk to you, engage with you, and know that you are always acting on their behalf. The fire chief is a key public official and the people who pay our salaries deserve access to us.
Having the opportunity to serve as the local fire chief in my township has been the honor of a lifetime. Although we all have bad days and tough circumstances, don’t ever take it for granted. This is a job that is about other people, specifically, the firefighters who rely on you and the residents who depend on you. Get out of the office, be engaged. Get involved, and be a “community” fire chief.
JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 • www.ohiofirechiefs.org I n C o m m a n d 7