Personnel Issues

Comment

Comment by 850fireman on May 11, 2012 at 7:18pm

Brent, I am a newly promoted OIC at my Dept. and I was searching for the same type of info that captured my idealism and found (the bulk of it) the info below online from a Fire Academy and adapted a little here and there to fit my beliefs. I found it to be effective in outlining exactly how I see things and some basic expectations. Hope this will help you and maybe those out there who want to encourage their firefighters along these beliefs...Obviously your SOG's etc. will play into this document too...Good luck!

Captain David (DJ) Stone

Ethical standards & expectancies:

Accountability: We are accountable for our attitudes, assignments (proficiency there of), actions (off duty, Firehouse & fireground), the equipment assigned (proficiency there of), station preservation, social environment of the Firehouse, and knowledge of your position. We can’t know everything but we can strive to know more than we know now…

“The importance of accountability cannot be overemphasized and how the lack of accountability can have a tremendous affect on life and property”

Communication: Communication is essential in the fire service, in every aspect of our operation, from the office to an emergency incident. The need to communicate clearly, briefly, concisely, coherently, and logically is imperative.

Life in our Firehouse is more than just showing up and “doing a job”. As you know it can be at times more about managing our relationships with one another than running emergencies. It is imperative to be honest, patient (with each other and our customers), self controlled (with our tongue) kind, & forgiving. If you do not communicate problems with each other and to staff most likely things will get worse before they get better.
• Mean what you say and say what you mean
• Be slow to react & speak
• Refrain from starting/spreading rumors, stifle potential misinformation only speak the facts
• When you complain be ready to bring the solution or don’t complain at all. The leaders on your shift are OPEN to suggestions that improve our operation & environment. If you don’t tell US we don’t know. My door is ALWAYS open.
• Consider those around us when we communicate. An Offense is only a word away.
• Your body speaks volumes; we must consider this when communicating with each other.

Cooperation with other Agencies: We must cooperate with our neighboring departments and that includes professionalism (assisting our colleagues fully and completely with respect and consideration at all times) even when we may not like those around us. It is imperative that we set the tone for “professionalism”.

Courtesy: Courtesy is demonstrating a caring and polite attitude while treating our customers and working with other departments. I would like to work on creating a more team-oriented environment where consideration and courtesy are essential elements of the team concept. We are all perceived by the actions of any one of our crew members good or bad.
• We will consider ourselves as ambassadors of positive public image at every opportunity to the public.
• Courtesy and respect will be given to our customers on EVERY call. Regardless of community affiliation.
• Zero tolerance for discourtesy to our customers.

Honesty: Honesty is an essential element in the fire service. Not only does our department expect it but our customers expect it, and in turn I will expect it at all times. My goal is to continue to instill or increase a sense of honesty in all dealings with each other and the public.
• We will not lie, cheat, or steal.
• We will admit to making a mistake when a mistake is made.
• We will not cover up a mistake or negligent act, but will bring it to the immediate attention of myself, other Captains or Battalion Chief

Integrity: We will not engage in acts of corruption or bribery, nor will an officer condone such acts by other firefighters. The public demands that the integrity of firefighters be above reproach. We must, therefore, avoid any conduct that might compromise integrity and thus undercut the public confidence. Respect from the public cannot be bought; it can only be earned and cultivated as we serve faithfully in the public with high integrity.

Leadership: Leadership has been described as the ability to get people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it. It goes beyond that and encompasses the respect and admiration of followers. It involves much more than words or personal charisma. It is comprised mostly of actions; setting and reaching goals and objectives. I believe leadership and respect is earned not given, so it is my goal, not only to work on becoming better leader but to foster leadership within all of us to perform our duties to the best of our abilities. It starts with our attitudes.

Manipulative Skills: Manipulative skills are the hands-on proficiencies required by us to safely and effectively carry out the various functions of our job. Personal mastery of these skills is essential for our own safety as well the general public we serve. Our customers expect nothing less than our very best. It is my goal to continue to lead our shift in that direction and assist to create realistic training in order to hone our abilities to be the best. My goal is to have our companies to be the “go to” crews and this will take every one of you to input into this process (with your suggestions and expertise). I desire for C-SHIFT to be the most competent crews on duty during our 48 hr tour.

Positive Attitude: I hope to instill and develop an attitude of confidence in our abilities, leadership and decision-making processes. It starts with a positive attitude.
• I will do my best to lead by example with confidence and a positive attitude and expect the same effort from you.
• We should help each other to identify a poor attitude and assist each other in improving the situation.
• Complaints + solution = resolution, remember communicate

“Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times.” – Anonymous

Professionalism: Professionalism is the development of pride in the affiliation of ones’ department, and the grasping of fundamental actions and appearance which we are striving for. We are Fort Walton Beach FD. We will carry on the tradition of excellence in this county. One of my goals is to continue to develop a sense of professionalism and pride in our department which will reflect discipline, technique, appearance, and personal skills.
• We will need to have at least one pressed and neat grey shirt with collar brass available during your tour. We talk ourselves professional so let us walk the walk.
• Our uniforms need to be in good order free of wrinkles, tears, and severe fading. If you are in need of a uniform piece I will do my best to get that piece repaired or replaced.
• Our speech in public will continue to reflect professionalism (body language too) courtesy and respect.
• We are professional and desire to be the best however, we will diligently try to keep a humble attitude and let our actions speak louder than words.

Personal and Professional Capabilities: We will be responsible for our own standard of professional performance. We will take every reasonable opportunity to enhance and improve our level of knowledge and competence. Through study and experience, we can continue to acquire the high level of knowledge and competence that is essential for the effective performance of our duty. Our acquisition of knowledge is a never-ending process of development that should be pursued constantly. I will do my best to assist any firefighter who wishes to further his/her training/experience through any educational opportunity.
• Know your seat responsibilities, tools assignments, and roles
• No freelancing. My goal is to develop a certain level of independence within the team, and have the ability to safely multi-task, but all within the scope of informing the company officer of your actions.
• We have one chance for fireground failure. We identify the issue, correct it, and prevent it from happening again. The next occurrence of the same failure (on the fireground) will be more serious.

Private Life: We will strive to behave in a manner that does not bring discredit to FWBFD or ourselves. Our character and conduct while off duty must always be exemplary, thus maintaining a position of respect in the community, in which we serve. Our behavior off duty must be beyond reproach. As we have seen in the last couple of years, our life off duty does matter. People are watching us (especially when we wear our FD T-shirts in public). Remember Firefighters have a 90% approval rating in the publics’ eye based solely on the fact that we are firefighters.

Reliability: Reliability is essential to building teamwork concepts. We must be counted upon in both emergency and non-emergency circumstances. Another goal is to continue to build the tradition of reliability on C-Shift. “Do what we say and say what we do”
• We will strive to carry out orders and assignments thoroughly.
• We will strive to be prompt and dependable

Respect: Respect is an essential core value to me and the FWBFD. We spend a large portion of our life in close quarters with each other and we must respect each other, authority, and the public. Respect will be given to our customers on EVERY call. Regardless of community affiliation.
• We will strive to show honor and esteem to each other and the public.
• We will use proper communications when addressing each other (in public), ranking officers, and customers. “Mr., Mrs, Chief, Captain Mayor, etc”
• We will strive to respect each other regardless of our disagreements.
• We will respect the property of the Department (as our own) and the property of the public we serve.
• We will do our best to respect each others space by ensuring quiet entry and exit of bunk
rooms prior to 6am and after 10pm or when a member lays down to sleep.

Safety: It is my goal to continue developing an attitude that fosters the condition of being safe, avoiding injury, or loss while performing tasks, not only during training but also on emergency calls.

• We shall provide a good example by following all SOG’s & safety rules.
• Zero tolerance for unsafe fireground acts and habits. ID correct & move on.
• We shall continue to review safety practices such as scene awareness, reading smoke, and hazard recognition. It is ALL of our responsibility to keep each other safe.
• If you see unsafe environments SPEAK UP!
• We will continue to develop our fitness standards and strive to continue being physically fit.
• The use of tools, equipment, and the proper wearing of PPE, will be such that the safety of the user is the first priority. Every time. No exceptions. We will have each others back.

Teamwork: We will strive to instill and develop an attitude in which will contribute to the success of the whole team endeavor. We are only as good as our united effort. We will work as a team with our responsibilities and tenure will be respected, however it does not mean that a senior member remains idle without assisting the shift mates during activities. It does mean that seniority is respected when it comes to certain decisions and circumstances. Seniority does have its privileges but is not to be used to boss those around them.

• We will ALL contribute to the care and maintenance of OUR trucks and station.
• We will do our best to help the “team” effort by assisting each other accomplishing our duties when needed.
• Run report responsibilities:
Captain= All fire & Hazmat calls
Driver= Canceled enoute calls
Nozzleman= alarm activations & MVA’s (unless ALS treatment was given)
Medman= Med reports

* The medics will split amount of ALS reports if we get backed up on ALS runs

* When operating with 3 on the Engine Driver will assume alarm activations reports

“None of us is as smart as all of us.”
-Ken Blanchard

Comment by Brent Blamires on May 9, 2012 at 10:04am

Where might I look for that?

Comment by Fire Engineering on May 9, 2012 at 10:01am

On another thread on here (in the forum section), a member had a complete manual his department gave to first-year firefighters that spelled out conduct, culture, etc. stuff. I think he had it for download, even.

Comment by Michael Bricault (ret) on May 7, 2012 at 10:21am

-What're you looking for specifically? Our rules and regs are voluminous as are the SOP's, both requiring several disks of information.

Comment by Brent Blamires on May 7, 2012 at 7:27am

Great, thank you! Do you need my email address?

Comment by Mike France on May 7, 2012 at 6:48am

I do , email me and i will send what we have [ car169ssfd@gmail.com].