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Fire Service Leadership

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No matter what type of tactics or operations your department provides, the quality and efficiency are dramatically affected by the leadership skills of your officers. Leadership is the most important element of everything we do!

Website: http://www.firecommandtraining.com
Members: 330
Latest Activity: Feb 25, 2020

Your Fire Service Leadership Box

Lots of people are talking about leadership these days and there is a good reason, it's the most important skill that a fire officer or chief can possess. Your tactics will be more efficient, your firefighters will be more motivated and your department will be more successful when the folks in leadership positions have the right stuff.
Leadership is not something you can truly learn from simply reading a book or manual. To learn and develope good leadership skills you need to watch the people around you. Take a look at the successful captain of Engine-2 or the chief of the 5th battalion and watch how they handle their people. Effective leaders produce more effective leaders and your company or department is no exception. Good leadership skills and tactics produce some of the most positive results in any organization.
Training your officers to be positive, effective leaders is as important as conducting drills on fireground tactics. As a matter of fact, leadership training will often multiply the effectiveness of all of your other training programs.

Discussion Forum

Good read on the leadership of Bees!

Started by Justin Lewis Aug 29, 2010.

A Pat On the Back or A Kick in the A**... 18 Replies

Started by Mike Walker. Last reply by Jeff Schwering Oct 8, 2009.

Where is Leadership learned in the fire service? 10 Replies

Started by John Salka. Last reply by Lance Langer Apr 19, 2009.

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Comment by RON KANTERMAN on February 13, 2011 at 12:58pm: All-Nice to be here with the Leadership gang. As a student and deliverer of leadership, my studies have taken me to one basic concept. Look at any failed system in the world. Countries, the economy, the banks, Wall Street, etc. It was all a result of a failure of leadership. Look at failed or poorly run Fire Departments. There are unfortunate current examples of failures that have resulted in large loss fires, LODDs or multiple FF injuries. These are all failures of leadership as well. If we are going to survive as a profession (and I include all fire service personnel, career and volunteer alike) then we had better get our leadership stuff together. The days of a Chief Officer ruling with an iron fist and the "do what you're told or suffer" are days of the past. I'm not advocating anarchy but we, as a service must do better together, across all ranks, on the fire ground and the halls of local government. Our lives, occupations, livelihoods and desire to serve depends upon it. Good strong leadership will carry our next generation of firefighters to the next level. "Leadership moves the world in a positive direction so contribute."--REK.

Comment by Brian Houska on June 24, 2010 at 5:46pm: Chief Salka,
Acknowledging the industry-wide respect you've earned -- including mine-- I'd like to respectfully challenge you. With 16 years on the job, an infantry tour before that, and a master's degree in management, I think I'm a worthy opponent. Here's the challenge: watch the Gregory Peck movie, "12 O'Clock High". I think the style of personality-driven style of leadership portrayed by "Col Keith" is what we tend to celebrate and advocate in the fire service, much to our detriment. Instead, we should put more emphasis on developing the structural/positional leadership exemplified by Peck's character. As your writing (in my view) tends to demand a personality-driven approach, I'd appreciate your response. Sincerely, Lt Brian Houska

Comment by Michael K. Scotto on April 29, 2010 at 4:13pm: Good afternoon Brothers and Sisters of the Fire Service. My name is Mike Scotto, Lt. FDNY. I have worked with Chief Salka for many yrs. Let me say, at a job, you know who is in command and more importantly you're glad when it's Chief Salka. He takes charges, handles any and all situations and most importantly, his members come First. Happy to be here Chief.

Comment by Todd Trudeau on January 18, 2010 at 6:41pm: Chief, I attended your 2 day seminar in Kalamazoo MI a week back and enjoyed every minute of it!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experiences with us.
Todd Trudeau
Roseville (MI) Fire Department

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