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Chief 8 responding to this- chief 8 responding to that
In a couple of days we will have new officers and new chiefs. I'm asking for new chiefs to stop and think a minute. What is your job as chief. Now this is for volunteers mostly. Is it to run every incident or prepare others to run incidents.
I remember a couple of years agho hearing one chief respond to a house fire, accident and grass fire within 30 minutes and several where just put under control. I'm thinking you have 3 stations and you don't have any officers that can handle a field fire or accident.
While my company isn't perfect I had the chance to run alarms while a captain. Once even as an LT. What happens is the chief or deputy comes to firehouse. If thier is another officer under him the higher officer will drive and the Jr officer will ride the seat. Now while we run mostly assist the officer may be in charge of a sector or something. This gives them the experience to be prepared for the moment they are in charge.
So remember even if your not there your still responsible. So wouldn't be it better to give them a chance on the small runs and learn so they can handle that house fire while your at work.
I remember a couple of years agho hearing one chief respond to a house fire, accident and grass fire within 30 minutes and several where just put under control. I'm thinking you have 3 stations and you don't have any officers that can handle a field fire or accident.
While my company isn't perfect I had the chance to run alarms while a captain. Once even as an LT. What happens is the chief or deputy comes to firehouse. If thier is another officer under him the higher officer will drive and the Jr officer will ride the seat. Now while we run mostly assist the officer may be in charge of a sector or something. This gives them the experience to be prepared for the moment they are in charge.
So remember even if your not there your still responsible. So wouldn't be it better to give them a chance on the small runs and learn so they can handle that house fire while your at work.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
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Not at all sure what your saying Bro?
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Permalink Reply by Brandon on
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DEPENDS AT SAME TIME YOUR RIGHT. BUT SOME PLACES THE CHIEF IS PAID EVEN ON A 100% VOLUNTEER. SO HE MAY BE REQUIRED TO RESPOND. AND OR MAYBE THE SOP'S SOG'S OF THAT DEPT OR AREA MAY HAVE MADE IT LIKE THAT YEARS AGO AS A REQUIERMENT TO HOLD OFFICE WHO KNOWS BUT YOUR RIGHT ITS A CATCH 22 SITUATION ALSO
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Permalink Reply by Just Plain Craig Moyer on
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What I'm saying is that as a capt or Lt when do you get a chance to run an alarm. Why does the chief have to respond to everything. Is he afraid that the officers he/she has are imcompatent (sic) or that they will do such a good job he won't be needed.
I remember our current chief was going in as a LT. He was under the impression that he didn't have to do anything or have worries because he was low man on the pole. I sat him down and explained the dozen things I think about just on a engine assist, What men I have, what can they do, where am I going, I do I get there, what other way can I get there, where is the primary hydrant, secondary hydrant, What stations are respondomg, what is the history of thier manpower during this time of day, who has gotten out yet etc etc. Then I told him what if its at 9am on a monday during the summer and since he is still in school & out for the summer and no officer responds. What if its an engine assist and he is on the first engine in? He is in charge and has to think of all the things I just told him.
But lets put it in district and he is used to the chief responding to EVERY run. But this one time the chief isn't there and he is in charge. Then what? What history does he have of being in charge. Fire School..we all know the difference between life and fire school.
The first time I was in charge of a scene was a large gas leak. Luckily there was a past chief there and I literily (sic) grabbed him by the arm and didn't let go until we were getting on the engine to go back.
I guess I was luckily because I had chiefs coming up that weren't afraid to teach because they were taught not to be afraid of the next guy coming up. And I think thats one thing missing from alot of Companies. And it hurts not only the company but the community.
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Craig, ahhh now I got you. I respond on all calls not because I have to, not because I take command, not because I'm not sure my Officers will not do the job. I respond on all calls because its what keeps me excited about what I do. If all I did was take care of the Admin I would have cashed in my chips some time ago. My goal is to respond on the call, assist my Officers if needed, get my hands dirty and help clean up afterward. Of course I will help direct if necessary but primarily I am there to help deal with what we were dispatched to. I am sure there are Chiefs who are what I call white shirts. That may be what is expected of them or their prerogative. My Officers and firefighters know what is expected of them and do a great job. I instill in them that knowledge, confidence and ability to make decisions. Let them do it.
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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Yeah, I see no problem if the chief is going to respond, it doesn't mean the company officer can let their guard down.
It also helps to remember that just because the chief has arrived, doesn't mean they have to take command.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Rocke on
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There are always the chief haters..lol. My CCIO class at the NFA, I was opened to how much some departments (much larger than mine) work on the CHAOS theory. When the chief arrives, it all goes to hell. I wish I could be lucky enough to be a chief like that. My turnouts get just as dirty as my guys.
I understand what you mean by wanting the chief to let the officers run the job. It is necessary. Be thankful that you have enough people that your Chief can make 3 runs in 30 minutes. If that was my department, I would have been tied up at the first job running it and would have to turf the other 2 to mutual aide.
Be glad you have the resources you have.
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Permalink Reply by Todd on
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Just because the Chief responds doesn't mean he has to take over.
One of my former Chiefs responded to almost everything. When we already had command established and things seemed to be running smooth he'd get out of his car, put on his gear, walk up to the IC and say "You need anything?" if the IC said they were fine he'd say "I'll go over to the manpower pool then."
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Permalink Reply by Smoke Eater on
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I understand what you're saying man. Our Chief responds on everything when he isn't at work. He lives litteraly right around the corner from the station and has to announce over the radio that he is enroute to the station. I have never understood this practice. Another problem I have is that he normally drives the engine or rescue then upon arrival announces over the radio that he is in command. If you drive, how can you be IC? Especially on a large incident. If another officer does have command, he usually lets us keep it but kinda sneaks in to become command later in the incident.
TCSS everyone
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Glad to hear how a Capt feels about that. We had a chief one year that even gave responding on assist which drove me nuts
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Man I'm no stranger to it, let me tell ya. He told me one time that he goes enroute over the radio so dispatch knows he's on his way. Why? Couldn't he just assume command on scene? I can't complain much about the taking over command thing. It's a habit for him as our last officers never wanted it. I have no problem asking him for guidance if I don't know how to handle something, he has 26 yrs. in the service. But you're right, I don't think the Chief should go enroute to every call, especially if you have 2 or 3 going on at once.
TCSS brother!!!
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