Page 4 - In Command Volume 18 - Ohio Fire Chiefs Association

A Message from OFCA’s President
Chief Jeff Klein, OFE, OFC OFCA President
How can senior officers pass along what they’ve learned, and didn’t learn, in preparing their departments for the future?
Check out
ohiofirechiefs.org
for Upcoming Events and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Istill remember when I graduated from Paramedic and Firefighter II. I was not
only full of vigor and enthusiasm, but full of knowledge as well. Returning to my department, I shared all my newly found wisdom with the seasoned veterans. As you can imagine, they were less than impressed.
This scenario plays out every day in our fire houses. Younger, enthusiastic firefighters are eager to change the world while the more senior staff become increasingly frustrated with them for trying to change the status quo. After all, they are following tried
and true practices. Furthermore, many of the suggestions coming from the younger generation have been tried before and for whatever reason, didn’t prove to be as suc- cessful as everyone had hoped. The result...a stalemate with both valuable insight and experience on the one hand and innovative new ideas on the other left on the table. One of my biggest regrets in my fire service journey was that I too never took full advantage of the mentors available to me. Unfortunately, there have been situations and questions that I could not address because I didn’t take advantage of their experience while I had the opportunity to do so. In turn, they didn’t always see the value in their experiences or the need to share it. This combination can leave a department lacking. This issue of In Command is entitled Capturing the Wisdom Before It’s Gone. Feature articles will address how senior officers can pass along what they’ve learned, and didn’t learn, in the hopes of preparing their departments for the future.
Regardless of your age, every day you inch one day closer to leaving the fire service. Hopefully, you will leave on a date and time of your choosing. But, what happens if an unbelievable opportunity presents itself; or worse, an unforeseen health issue arises? You now must leave on relatively short notice. Is your department prepared? While I am sure someone can take over basic operations, what about the day-to-day soft tasks you never think about?
To this day, I have yet to meet a Fire Chief who hasn’t said, “I didn’t realize all that goes into being a Fire Chief”. I imagine in most organizations, those moving up to the ranks feel much the same way. My question is, “Why is this; and why aren’t we preparing our successors for the future?”
For example, how many Fire Chiefs have spent their entire careers focusing all their training on the tactical and physical aspects of the fire service? Few Fire Chiefs, even those serving busy departments, spend most of their time fighting fires. Their time is mostly spent on administrative issues. That knowledge should be shared. The more personnel who understand what it takes to run the fire department, the better. And, as an added benefit, sharing enhances buy-in on your present initiatives.
There is no time like the present to begin the challenge of succession planning. Prepare your department for when you are no longer at the helm. Preparation now ensures your department’s legacy continues.
Chiefs, my challenge to you this month is to begin the process (if you haven’t already done so) of preparing your department for your inevitable departure. If you are not the Chief, seek out your Chief and ask for mentoring if it’s a Chief’s position you seek in the future.
The Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association can also provide assistance. Through a variety of programs and services, the association provides education and professional development, legislative advocacy, communication and information exchange and peer networking opportunities.
Start planning today! u
4 InCommand APRIL/MAY/JUNE 2017 • www.ohiofirechiefs.org