Page 9 - In Command Volume 18 - Ohio Fire Chiefs Association

After 35 Years of Service,
I Left...Did Anyone Even Care? By Chief Tom O’Brien, Liberty Township Fire Department
Retirees create a huge void in a fire department. Some say the smaller the depart- ment, the larger the void as they take with them their knowledge of the job, the buildings, and the city, along with a lifetime of experience. I recently spoke with a captain who left his job. I asked him if he had any sort of exit interview. Did the department prepare for his departure? For the purpose of this article, he shall remain anonymous as he is well-known and respected throughout the state. He had much
he wanted to get off his chest, some of which is included here; some of which is not. This is his story.
Towards the end of my career, I felt as though I was being pushed out or put on a shelf. I had seen and done more in my career than most officers moving up the ranks would ever see. I had such a great love for the job. I truly wanted to pass it on, but those new officers who read a few books and came to work more concerned about dishes not being put away than if we were prepared for what may come our way dur- ing our shift, began to wear on me.
I did not have a college education. However, I did see the need for additional education. I went to school and got an associate degree in Fire Science in an effort to help myself and try to understand where these new officers were coming from. I was taught by some tough guys. That’s how I learned the job. I still wasn’t ready to just fade away. But even with the degree, I was still looked down upon by junior officers. I had the respect of my men, but others decided to try and make my work atmosphere toxic. They did not respect me.
My Chief did all he could to keep me in the game. He had my respect and I had his. He often took the brunt of some of my outbursts. He was called into the big Chief’s office on many occasions, returning weighing slightly less in the rear end. Upper management began to work on him to try to get to me, but it never worked. He was a smart man who cared about his guys and still does to this day. He under- stands brotherhood. Many officers will call you brother then stab you in the back. They aren’t your brothers and never will be.
On my last day on the job, the guys called the local newspaper to do a story on me. I didn’t want that. What I really wanted was to unload on what I thought was wrong with the place and what could be very easily done to fix some things. Unfortunately,
I never got that opportunity. The Fire Chief couldn’t even find time to come and wish me good luck on my retirement. I guess he was afraid of hearing what I might have to say.
In the end, I will always hold close the friendships and memories - both good and bad- of my career with the department. I still see many of my former co-workers
and have remained close to many of them. My advice to any Fire Chief out there is simple. “Don’t be afraid of the guy who is leaving. Once you know he is going, spend some time with him. You may not like everything he has to say, but you just might learn something from him.” u
Author Bio
Tom O’Brien is Chief of Liberty Township Fire Department, Powell Ohio. During his 31-year career in the fire service, Tom has served
as a compliance chief, HAZ-MAT coordinator, paramedic, member of the equipment specification commit- tee, member of the IAFF executive board as shift supervisor, operations chief and accreditation manager. O’Brien teaches fire training at CTEC of Licking County where he has also served as the fire training coordinator and has taught at FDIC. He has an associate degree in Fire Science from Hocking College; a bachelor’s degree in Public Safety Management from Franklin University; and a Master of Public Administration from Columbia Southern. He is an EFO Graduate and a Chief Fire Officer designee along with MIFireE. He has been doing accreditation visits for CPSE/CFAI for the last 10 years and has served as
a team leader for numerous depart- ments. O’Brien is a member of IAFC, Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association, NFPA and is an active member of Rotary.
APRIL/MAY/JUNE 2017 • www.ohiofirechiefs.org InCommand 9