Chiefs Aid

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Permalink Reply by MARK MCLEES on March 26, 2008 at 8:49pm

HA HA. Chiefs aide? You are talking some big cities. Syracuse, NY has an on-duty roster of 71 members to man 10 engines, 6 trucks and the rescue company. There are always 3 district chiefs on duty (of which I am one). Chiefs aide? They will probably give us them once one of us drives into a buildng because we are trying to look down at the MDT map program while also responding condition red. Although jokingly, many guys always offer to be my driver (if the day ever comes)

stay safe
Mark McLees

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Permalink Reply by Dean Feldpausch on March 27, 2008 at 7:59am

Hey Chief, Thanks for the response. This is the greatest position ever in the Fire Service for fireground impact and career developement. I have the true honor of working with my Chief, Rick Lasky, and watch him skillfully perform the tasks of Incident Command while I take care of the less vital tasks of accountability, fire ground assignments, fill in coordination, and staging. At my level, that's a real priviledge and an honor. I hope the Chief's Aid position will make a comeback across the country as we have seen tremendous value in it's arrival.

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Permalink Reply by MARK MCLEES on March 27, 2008 at 7:23pm

Dean-
You truly are BLESSED to have aides in your department. For the majority of America's professionals, the Lt's and Capts have drivers. But as soon as you get made 'chief'...WHAM- you are driving yourself. I do like the freedom of being able to come and go whenever and wherever I want. Chief Salka had a recent article in FIREHOUSE for all chiefs stressing the importance of visiting all their stations during the course of a tour. Hard to believe, but I think that many just stay in their room and watch TV or hide behind the excuse of paperwork- like that is what is gonna make the fireground safer....NOT !!!

Say hi to your boss from me

stay safe

Mark McLees

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Permalink Reply by Dean Feldpausch on March 28, 2008 at 12:07pm

It is a blessing to have the Chief's Aid position in our Department. I find that my Battalion Chief or Shift Commander who I drive for, is much more able to focus on the incident and the tactics he will employ upon arrival, rather than trying to drive and find his way to the scene. Once we arrive, he can commit himself to the functions of command while I monitor unit arrival, accountability, staging, and other such less important needs. We believe that this position has made the fireground safer and more effective for our guys. I will tell the boss you said hello. We would not have this position without his belief in the importance of this role.

Take care and Never Forget 343.
Dean Feldpausch

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Permalink Reply by Bill Sullivan on April 4, 2008 at 4:40pm

We (along with the support of our IAFF Local) were able to resist great pressure, based on an alleged budgetary shortfall, back in the mid 1990's and keep the chiefs aides. There is a deputy chief assigned to each of the four shift groups and each one has an aide, of their choosing, assigned to them. Although there is no S.O.P. for the aide his primary roles, on the fire ground, include: assisting in apparatus placement (giving incoming engine companies updated usable hydrant locations, finding access for and set-up locations for ladder companies when needed), The aide on our job has a T.I.C. at his disposal as well. Because we typically run with 3 and 4 member companies, having the aide to give fire extension and fire attack progress reports, allows company officers to give that much more attention to the operations and safety of their companies. While being constantly mindful to not "freelance" the aide is able to move around the fire ground, while not straying too far from the safety and protection of operating companies and give reports to the chief as to; fire location, fire extension probability, fire attack progress (or lack of it), an ongoing interior size up, companies in need of support, relief, rehab, etc. The aide works on the interior to assist company officers, communicating with command when necessary, to make sure they have the resources they need to get the job done. The aide is invaluable asset. Made more so as staffing levels hover precariously at that level which is considered to be a minimum safe staffing level. Being a relatively small department (122 members {25/shift} in a city of 60,000 people within 5 sq. miles ) we are very fortunate to have this position available to us.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Morley on April 5, 2008 at 4:27pm

The role of the Chief's Aid in Atlanta is a combination of adminstrative and emergency scene. Actually we call them Command Techs. They start the day working on staffing for all the stations in the battalion. They drive the chie around to all the stations, participate in training a the various stations. assist with other administrative duties. On the fire scene if they drive the incident commander they asist with tracking of companies make resource requests to commuications, and generally make the incident easier to run for the IC. If they drove the 2nd chief to the scene, the 2nd chief is the safety officer, they assist with accountability and stay with the chief (safety officer) this ensures that no one is without a partner on the emergency scene..you know buddy system.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Gavin on April 7, 2008 at 12:32pm

In Boston the new term is Incident Command Technician. Depending on how the district chief is assigned, network, RIT, EVAC or he/she is the current incident commander . Usually first in you assist the chief with the initial size up. Most of the time that means check the rear of the bldg if applicable. Then head in with the companies to give him a hands on upate. On a second alarm, I believe the "second alarm chief" and his aide/ICT are responsable for accountability of companies and where they are operating. It is still in "the getting used to" mode for us. I did it for about 2 years then went back to an Engine Co. It does give you a whole different perspective on fireground .

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Permalink Reply by Tyler E. Boucher on May 10, 2010 at 7:04pm

I currently fill the role of Chief's aide in a much smaller combination department in Southern NH. I am getting my Bachelor's in Safety from Keene State College and had the opportunity to do a co-operative internship with my home department for two years. I am receiving college credit for serving under the fire chief and simultaneously getting a phenomenal education in all areas of fire department administration, and fire ground operations. The program has gone so well we have elected to extend the program to allow other firefighters in the degree program to apply when I leave the post. Being a relatively young member in the fire service, I have been both honored and proud to serve in this capacity. The experience has been invaluable, and benefits to the department and the Chief himself have been numerous. It was an awkward position to fill originally and takes some time to work yourself into it. You must be an agent of the chief, but remember you only represent him and are NOT him. You must walk a fine line between authority and respect of other department members. It is easy to have people resent you for your position when you hold such a delicate role. In any case I speak out in support of these positions, and I hope as well that we will see a resurgence of this position on the American fire service.

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Permalink Reply by Mike France on May 12, 2010 at 7:47am

As a Vol. Chief , we have set this up just recently, but it is mostly adminstrative and filled by one of the Older guys who is around during the time, they are past Chief officers, That handle making sure things get done for our Office, it's kinda of unique in a way. They get to drive the Chiefs vehicles during Parades .

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