Our Chief came up through the ranks of our department and has made his bones to sit back and delegate to the Officers, IC, and of course us old timers. :)
The Chief and the Assnt. Chiefs still fight fire with us. I for one like seeing them working out there and I like woking with them. You can learn alot by fighting fire beside a Chief.
Hey Chief...Now I am going to give you a lesson........Don't ever apologize for being yourself......an honest man who never forgot where he came from.......Stay safe and always Keep the Faith.....Paul
How are they going to learn if they aren't given the chance to lead....? Asst Chiefs can and often do act as IC....All I am saying is that IC doesn't HAVE to be the Chief....Granted not many Chiefs want to bust their asses on a fire...there are days I don't want to do it...LOL...But as long as Command is transferred properly there isn't any reason he can't do it.....Not saying it is right or wrong...But it CAN be done.....
For the most part in this area the 1st due chief has command and does not fight the fire. However if the need arises for the man power and another chief is on scene to take command instead of going to work then 7 outta 10 will transfer command.
What you don't realize where ever you are from is that the Chief has to bargain EVERYTHING that happens in the sand box that the city owns. In Washington FF own their work the chief does not.