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Permalink Reply by Anita King on June 3, 2009 at 9:40pm

It is very easy in our dept. We are truly a family. Anyone can feel free to make suggestions and voice concerns. It is also OK to agree or disagree as long as you do it with respect. Our officers are team players and they do listen to what we have to say. They may not always agree with you, but you are free to approach them with anything.

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan on June 3, 2009 at 11:58pm

Our officers are all easy to talk to. Of course you have to work through the chain of command to discuss concerns or suggestions, but if you just want to shoot-the-$#!+ with the Asst. Chief or "top-dog chief" then they're door is always open.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on June 4, 2009 at 1:15am

This could be a very sensitive subject depending upon what you want to discuss with the Chief. If it's personal business, then it may be considered ok to have a casual chat with the Chief. If it has to do with the department, at least in my department, it would be considered appropriate and respectful to follow the chain of command. To not do so may result in pissing someone off along the way even though you had only the best intentions.

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Permalink Reply by Cassie on June 4, 2009 at 1:39am

Pretty easy, for the most part. Our chief also works for another dept. so he's gone a lot... and he can be a little harder to approach perhaps, but if you've talked to someone else and they say go to him, he'll listen. And the command officers all very willing to talk over concerns, offer advice, or listen to suggestions. They're in command on a fire scene, but in the station, they're just another and more experienced firefighter.

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Permalink Reply by Melissa Eastwood on June 4, 2009 at 12:12pm

It is not very hard at all. All of our officers are willing to listen to suggestions or concerns that we may have. If we see something that is not safe, all we have to do is tell them and they will take action. The thing for everyone to remember is that we, as a department, are one big family. We need to look out for each other.

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