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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on October 7, 2009 at 9:48pm

Yeah, I was wondering why a crew would go into a potential dust explosion area.
I had two friends nearly killed by one when I worked in Chattanooga.
There's no building in the world worth it.

I'm thinking that should probably have been recognized by another chief prior to your arrival, or by a company officer on a previous rotation, but at least you caught it and stopped it.

Strong work.

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Permalink Reply by Rick on October 8, 2009 at 1:42am

I have to say that this ( per the original topic) it has to do with experience, respect and credibility. I was fortunate as a back step firefighter to have good if not great officers until I got promoted. I can think of a couple that the only thing worse than not doing your assignment or failure would have been letting them down. As an officer now and understanding dept. politics very well I can tell you that in the current fire service alot of officers are promoted for different reasons some for experience, some for education and some to satisfy the politicians. If you have a minute on the job and any common sense you will be able to tell the competent chief officers from the ones that want to hit every item on their check off list just to satisfy their superiors. Remember that at any rank its your responsibility to question ignorance, especially if safety is involved, I usually do this starting with " sir can I recommend....."

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Permalink Reply by Rich Garrett on October 9, 2009 at 9:10pm

I agree with the prvious statement here. I would also like to add that I think some of the people who posted here got too drawn into a side debate over PPE. A truely good "leader" regardless of rank or title will stand out long before the alarm sounds. Good leaders step up and show themselves prior to the promotion process starting. They demonstrate a desire to learn more about the profession they are in. They strive to be the best every run, every call, and during training sessions. They know when to shut up and listen and when to throw their two cents in. They will voluntarily start or take over a project for the department, or take a more junior firefighter or the FNG under their wing to show them the way things should be done. Real leaders lead from the front not the rear. They do not ask anything of anyone that they themselves would not be willing to do in the same circumstance. And lastly and most importantly they do not ever forget where they came from and hw they got where they are. That is how a good leader builds and earns the trust and respect that will allow him/her to lead his crew to hell and back.

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