Too Many Chiefs Spoil the Fire

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Brandon Krause on February 23, 2009 at 1:09pm

I think generally this works well, the problem is when you have task level personnel addressing both the IC and OPs on the radio, just a training issue but could be a problem in the long run.

Permalink Reply by Skip Coleman on February 23, 2009 at 5:12pm

Brandon,
We had that problem at second alarm adn higher fires in Toledo. That's generally when we established an Ops Chief. I almost always had Ops next to me at these fires and would tell him to ansewer the call from a task level officer. After a few times they got the idea. I agree, It's simply training. What screws it up is when Command and eventually the Administration constantly allow it to happen. It sends mixed signels and one thing firefighters don't need any more of is mixed signals.

Permalink Reply by Skip Coleman on February 23, 2009 at 5:47pm

I discuss passing (transferiing) command later in the book but my rule of thumb is "command need not be transferred unless command can be imporoved:. Leave the ego's in the office. If an officer's doing everything that needs to be done and staffing is not an issue, why take it from him or her? Use it as a learning tool.

Permalink Reply by Steve Wilson on June 6, 2009 at 10:54am

I agree. The ego part of the service is a double edged sword. It drives us as firefighters and helps us to excel in certain areas, but it can become very problematic on the fire/rescue/medical call and result in an inefficient/ineffective scene.

If an officer (any qualified officer) has command on a scene and it's running well, I'd allow that person to continue to run the call. This is how we "grow our own" and show that, as a chief officer, we can release the "control/ego factor" and allow others to function.

I appreciate a regimented department and "chain-of-command" communications, but allowing others to run incidents should be viewed at as strengthening the department and not as a personal threat on a chief officer if a LT or Capt. happens to run the scene.


Skip Coleman said:

I discuss passing (transferiing) command later in the book but my rule of thumb is "command need not be transferred unless command can be imporoved:. Leave the ego's in the office. If an officer's doing everything that needs to be done and staffing is not an issue, why take it from him or her? Use it as a learning tool.

Permalink Reply by Mike France on March 27, 2011 at 7:51pm

What i try to do is assume command once i have been briefed , there those calls that i allow the Officer to handle to get used to being in charge , i am there to guide them at these calls.