Let Us Remember to Thank Our Mentors

Let Us Remember to Thank Our Mentors

Joseph Kitchen, Bath Twp. Fire Department (Lima, Ohio)

            As we progress through our careers in the fire service, we meet many amazing people. Instructors, company officers, college professors, and fellow firefighters come in and out of our lives but, sometimes, one of these individuals has a life-changing impact on us. Some of you, if you are as lucky as I have been, have even more than one person like this that has both challenged and inspired you to be the best you can be.

            The first time I encountered an individual who became a great mentor, I was a very young firefighter enrolled in 240 hour professional firefighter training (Ohio’s career firefighter required training).  An enthusiastic and energetic fire instructor by the name of Chris Agnew, who at the time was a captain on a nearby department, introduced himself to our class and informed us that we were about to “learn everything about an S.C.B.A. that there is to learn.” Chris was full of vigor. It was the first time I could really see how much someone loved the fire service. His attitude was infectious and I was not only impressed with him, but I knew that was how I wanted to feel about being a firefighter. One specific drill he required was the doffing and redonning of our S.C.B.A while blindfolded, which can be somewhat disorienting. We worked on it in class several times and I did O.K., but not great. Over the next few days, I practiced this drill at our fire station. Over and over, I took the S.C.B.A. off and then back on (these were the old belt mounted regulator MSA units circa early 1990’s) and I knew every inch of that device by touch. On our next day of class we were asked to demonstrate this evolution in groups of two in front of everyone. When it was my turn, I flew right through it. I slipped it off & back on with ease, and faster than I had ever done before. When completed, Chris looked at me and said, “someone’s been practicing” with a smile. No high five or “great job,” just his acknowledgment that I had done my homework. I wanted his approval and worked hard to get it because it was important to me that he could see that I had the ability to rise to the occasion. I successfully graduated from training and went on to be a firefighter. Chris was later promoted to Fire Chief of the City of Wapakoneta Fire Department here in Ohio. Unfortunately, not long after his appointment, Chris died of cancer. Young, healthy, and fit, one of the best fire instructors I had ever met was gone. As I sat at his funeral, I could only think of one thing: I never told him what he meant to me and what he did for me, and now I would never have the chance.

            The next person who would become a mentor in my career I met very shortly after becoming a new fire chief. Tim Holman, fire chief, educator, and author, presented at a conference I attended. My career in the fire service was different from that point on. Tim had recently been named IAFC Fire Chief of the Year, and I could see why. He spoke about teamwork and attitude in a way I had never heard. I immediately read all of his books and over the years became a friend. I have many times since then gone back and reread his words. I use his philosophies on fire department leadership regularly. I have, on a couple of occasions, shared with Tim how important he was in my journey as a fire officer and fire chief. Tim helped me understand my job and how to navigate through the challenges of being an effective fire chief. I am truly thankful I met him early in my career and glad I didn’t make the same mistake I made with Chris.

            As you read my personal story, I hope that you can think of people who have made the same impact on you and your career.  Maybe you have a lieutenant who took you under his wing, a paramedic instructor who helped you get through a tough class, or like me, someone who allowed you to see how great this job is and challenged you to be the best you could be. Now, here’s what I suggest you do; tell them thanks. Don’t wait until tomorrow or next week. Do it today. Call them up. Stop by their fire station. Send a text or e-mail. Go old school and send a hand written note that they can keep. No matter how you do it, just do it. Say thanks before it’s too late.

Joseph Kitchen, OFC, is the Chief of the Bath Twp. Fire Dept. (Lima, Ohio.) He began his career in 1990 and has served as fire chief since 2002. He holds degrees in EMS and fire science, and in 2012 was named “Fire Officer of the Year” by the Ohio Dept. of Public Safety. Follow Chief Kitchen on Twitter @bathtwpchief and visit his department’s website at www.bathtwpfd.com