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The New Company Officer: 01.01.10 The First Day
It is hoped that you achieved your new found rank and title under the right conditions of merit and worth based upon credentials, knowledge, experience, education, training, skills, leadership and preparation and that popularity alone didn’t drive your promotion, appointment of election. You worked hard, studied diligently and proved yourself under both combat fire suppression operations and within the station environment under non-emergency conditions.
Regardless of the traits or circumstance that manifested themselves and gave you your new title and badge; you are now a Company Officer, a first-line supervisor and someone your brother and sister firefighters, your company and your department will look to for leadership and actions. To many of you today; 01.01.10 is the first day, the first step in what may prove to be your most rewarding, memorable and gratifying period in your fire service career. Serving as a Company Officer carries tremendous responsibilities that at times may have life and death implications based upon your decisions, actions or directives.
Recognize that it isn’t about the number of bars or collar brass bugles you have on your collar, the color of your helmet, or the “title” you have. What it is all about is being capable to do your job; competent and fully understanding, having the knowledge, skills and abilities to lead and operate in situations that demand the highest caliber of abilities in situations that may be very unforgiving based upon your errors, omissions or deficiencies. Take the time today to reflect on what has brought you here today and how prepared you are for the job ahead throughout the year before you. Identify and recognize your strengths and weakness, work hard to further enhance those strengths through training, experience and education and at the same time to overcome, reduce and eliminate those perceived or actual weaknesses and gaps.
Above all maintain the right perspective and outlook; respect your firefighters, but be a supervisor and enforce those requirements everyone is held to; maintain the balance of risk management, measured undertaking s and aggressive tactical deployments- You are not Superman, Ironman or Batman; you are Human, and with that are vulnerable. Promote Safety through Leadership and have the Courage to be Safe. Be an Officer, act like an officer and understand your role; you have the ultimate job before you and there are many who now are looking to YOU for answers, direction, guidance and leadership. Welcome to one of the greatest jobs in the world and with it immense responsibility, obligation, duty and accountability: You can Do it!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on
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While the subject matter and prose are very well written, I think you just might be pushing the envelope when conforming to the FFN rules posted at the bottom of the page. I hope that this is an exception because all of the information that have shared is right on Chris.
Note: The link to the twenty (20) suggested activities or initiatives for you to consider in 2010…. whoa!!! this is a must read for everyone for 2010. Everyone reading this, please take the time to click this link: http://commandsafety.com/, your life may depend on it...
Good luck with your future endeavors and have an awesome 2010!
Stay safe, CBz
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Permalink Reply by Frank Manza on
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Thanks for the link i'm sending to my peers. (promoted to Capt 9/10/09)
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Permalink Reply by Rick Westerman on
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Thanks Mr. Naum, for sharing your experiences and knowledge with us on FFN. There is no greater gift to your brothers and sisters than wisdom earned as a combat firefighter.Helping to educate those around the country who may be fighting a fire right after reading your posts can directly benefit from your words. Thank you for loving the job so much that you spend time sending out challenging yet thought provoking scenarios, that bring into focus the challenges that may present themselves at the sound of the next alarm.
I just wanted to say THANKS Brother,
Fraternally,
Rick Westerman
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Permalink Reply by Christopher J. Naum, SFPE on
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Rick;
Thanks for the kind words brother...stay safe
Chris
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Permalink Reply by Tommy Lewis on
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Great advise!
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Permalink Reply by Padre Pete on
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Excellent Chris,
Permit me to submit my own most basic version of 2nd Lt. 101 that I always share with some new officer at this time of year.
It is an advantage of the volunteer system that we are afforded the opportunity to elect those by whom we wish to be led.
You were not elected to give us more chances to watch you do what youv'e been doing. You were elected to lead us. If you are chasing around a scene getting little tasks done, while we are there and available to do them, you are failing in your responsibility.
We are trained and knowledgeable specialist. Your task is to assure us every opportunity to practice our skills. It is no longer a matter of you saying "Bring me an axe so I can breach this wall." It must now be "Bring your axe. We need you to breach this wall." Huge difference that will assure job security.
Thanks for the chance. Happy New Year. Keep The Faith.
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