Page 23 - InCommand Volume 36

OFE SPOTLIGHT
OFE, Ohio Fire Executive. How many of us consider ourselves executives, especially at the volunteer level? Are leaders of volunteer departments executives; is OFE meant for the volunteer? These are some of the
questions I was asking myself in April 2019 as Class 19 began.
To say I was nervous at the start of that journey would be an understatement.
First and foremost, on my mind was the workload. Was it possible to complete all assignments on time and attend five weeks of classes while working a full- time “civilian” job and maintaining a high level of volunteering? While this was not easy, I found it was achievable.
The topics of community leadership, strategic planning, change initiative, budget and finance, and customer service will benefit my organization. As with all departments, we face a staffing shortage. These topics will be very important as we look to grow the department and provide station staffing. The remaining topics of developing leadership skills, leadership communication, policy formulation, human resource practices, ethics and labor law, and IT applications all serve as building blocks for each other and your research project.
One aspect of this program that makes it unique is the dedication of everyone involved, from the program director to the program administrator, to the oversight committee. They are all dedicated to providing the best educational experience available and they truly care about the program's content. The instructors that the leadership of this program line-up to present the above topics are top-notch. While an eight-hour lecture on human resources or labor law sounds very laborious, these instructors cut out the fluff, give you the meat and potatoes of the topic, and then allow you to guide the remainder of the conversation. Topics are tailored to what is relevant and meaningful to the fire service.
As has been stated in this column by many before me, OFE is a daunting task. It is one that you cannot go through alone. You will lean on your family, department, mentors, and classmates to get through the program. You may ask yourself why you took on this task. However, if you want to broaden your horizons, become a better leader, and become that “executive” your organization needs it can be done, even for the volunteer. OFE is not just for the “executive” of the organization. The lessons learned and the values instilled will benefit the entire command staff of any fire department. Applying the principles of this program will allow leaders to serve their communities better and grow their departments as the community around them grows.
Starting this class as an Assistant Chief, I was not that “executive,” but I knew that I wanted and needed to be a more developed leader. Through OFE, I have accomplished that. I feel that because of this program, its networking capabilities, and the confidence I have in training received, that I can lead my department moving forward. In January of 2021, I was sworn in as the current Chief of the department. The ball is now mine to run with and whatever comes next, I know I am not alone in facing the challenge, thanks to the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association and OFE.
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 • www.ohiofirechiefs.org I n C o m m a n d 23
Dorothy Battles, OFE
Dorothy Battles is the Chief of Thompson Fire Department, after beginning her service there in 1997. She has also worked as a firefighter/paramedic for
the Leroy Fire Department, as a flight paramedic for University Hospitals MedEvac, and as a corrections officer for the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office. In addition to being Chief, she also works as a Deputy Coroner in Geauga County and for the University Hospitals EMS Training and Disaster Preparedness Institute.
Dorothy is completing her bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration at Columbia Southern University. She is also a Certified Fire Safety Inspector, Fire Investigator, Hazardous Materials Technician, and an AHA Instructor, as well as a graduate of OFE Class 19.