Jeremy Rebok's Blog (27)

Today I want to talk about the importance of being “Versatile” as a Chief/Company Officer.  As I have said previously at several training sessions, it is important for officers to be in this job for the community and not yourself.  Training and education are very important in this business as positive reinforcement is key for the community to ensure they feel they are getting a good rate of return for your services.

Versatility is defined as an individual that has competency in many…

Don't fall short of your professional goals...

Being subject to illicit leaders or co-workers that drag you down will be detrimental to your career. Those failing to realize they are the root problem are those who fail to own their attitude and ego.

It can be YOU that makes the positive change in your department, simply by reaching for your dreams, allowing your PASSION to take over. …

Often times, the fire service talks about complacency in firefighters while operating during training evolutions and mitigating emergency incidents.  Fighting the complacency factor is critical in our business, while we must focus on safe operations reducing the critical factors of on the job injuries and deaths.  We continue to train at executing the basics and achieving proficiency, reaching for mastery in our craft.

We get so wrapped up in day to day activities, wanting to be the…

The “Chauffeur”, or "FADO" (Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator) position in any fire department is without a doubt, one of the most critical jobs in the fire service. In department’s all across the country, Chauffeur’s are assigned or tested positions, increasing the company’s operations and situational awareness.  A good Chauffeur has qualities of adaptability, not only on the fire ground, but one that can perform in several positions at any given time.  One must understand that career or…

Conversations swarming over fire and emergency services organizations these days have defined a need for mentoring the future leaders of this business and passing on the crucial information needed for the planning process.  However, there are debates everyday about building our next generation and how current Chief Officers are not conquering this particular task.

As I was rummaging through my old magazine subscriptions, I merely opened up an old Firehouse Magazine, June 1996 Ed., and…

Lieut. Ray McCormack speaks fluently about the acronym "DICERS-VO" on the fire ground, while defining it very well.  I got to thinking the other day, many acronyms flood the fire service and why add another one.  As tactics are a major part of the job, organizations are formed from the top, and many times the services/programs we provide are implemented from above the operations staff.  No fire department can operate without funding, apparatus, manpower, and tools.  The defined "Mission" can…

Some time ago...15 years ago to be exact, I was elected to my first position as a volunteer chief officer! I was proud and honored to say the least. I thought I was ready, having spent several hundreds of hours in classes at my young age, but that was just the start.

Unfortunately, my keys to the office, white helmet, and badges were thrown at me. Now, I had a great Chief...but the problem was, he worked 7 days a week and traveled all the time.

I was left to fend for myself,…