As most of you know there's one annual fire service ritual that has the greatest impact on the community. I'm not talking about the annual "Come Meet Santa Claus" parade and party at the fire station. And I'm not talking about the once-a-year chicken barbeque or pancake breakfast.
I'm talking about the annual changing of the guard that takes place in most volunteer fire departments around our county and across our nation. For the most part, fire chiefs are elected annually and to a minimum term of 1-2 years. And, for the most part, this ritual of electing a new fire chief and officers takes place every December.

Some fire departments have term limits for their chief officers while others elect for as long as the chief serves at the pleasure of the membership.

This is the time of the year when each volunteer fire company entrusts its faith in either the same person who has been leading the department for one or more years, or they will elect to replace him or her with a new leader.

Will they vote for consistency and continuity, or will the vote for change? Will they elect a true leader or "just a fire chief?" Who's right for the fire company? More importantly, who's right for the customer?

These are the very questions that are being asked and debated right now inside almost everyone of the 94 volunteer firehouses in our county.

There's one fire chief in our county who has decided his work is done, his time well spent, his efforts successful - at least to a degree he can comfortable and live with. It's time to step down and let a new leader take charge.

I met this young firefighter several years ago, in fact I can't actually tell you how long ago it was. But I can tell you that he made an immediate impression on me.

He demonstrated a passion and a clarity for doing what's right for, and in the volunteer fire service. He's dedicated his life to serving others. He shares the right values of family first, the fire company and community next, and after that, what else really matters?

Like many of today's volunteer firefighters, he's a family man, raising two young children with the help of his caring and supportive wife who shares his passion for helping others. She's an emergency room nurse and a leader in the local volunteer emergency squad.

In his spare time, he coordinates an annual firefighter ski race that benefits the "Kids Escaping Drugs" program and has helped raise thousands and thousands of dollars for that organization. And that's just one of the ways he also gives back to the community.

Like many volunteer firefighters, his faith in God and his fellow man has been tested many times as he faces the dark realities of our business and those that touch our personal lives. But the darker the moments get, and the faster and more furious they come, his faith and his resolve to help others becomes stronger.

He has demonstrated true leadership in more ways than he knows. His impact on his local community has been strong and deep, yet while he is certainly outspoken, he is a quiet icon, always deferring credit to his team.

He rose through the ranks of his fire company, patiently waiting his turn out of respect for those who lead before him. He took charge when things needed to be taken charge of. He made decisions and statements that needed to be made. He empowered his people to be good followers because he was a good leader for them. He recognized and praised them, all the while appreciating the challenges they too faced in volunteering.

On January 1, 2008, the fruits of his efforts will come forth. A new team of leaders which he cultivated will take the helm.

Anyone can get elected to the office of fire chief. He was chosen to be their leader and has fostered leaders in the making. He has faith in them - as they had faith in him. He was proud to lead them and will be proud to serve under their command.

He has served the fire company and the community well. His contributions will be evident for years to come. Now, more of his time will be devoted to his well deserving first loves: his wife, his children and his family.

However, you won't have to look far to see his continued active participation in his fire department and his community. He'll still be there, mentoring others, teaching them to be good followers, and training his replacements.

Chief Sean Crotty, I'm proud to call you my friend, my brother and a true fire service leader. Congratulations to you on all of your accomplishments and successes in making the North Boston Fire Company the quality organization that you and everyone can be proud of.

And to Jenny, thank you for sharing Sean with his fire company and your community. Anyone who knows anything about being a firefighter, knows that you and your family were the ones making the real sacrifices. The missed meals and family events were all just opportunities for Sean to do more of what he loves. I'm sure you know he's far from done serving, but please know that your contributions to his success are recognized and appreciated by his peers.

Sean, as you embrace this next step in your young fire service career, the only advice I can offer you is: "Rest up. We have other plans for you."

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This blog was originally posted by me at www.buffnews.com/yourhub/southtowns.

To learn more about Sean, who he is and what he stands for, check out his profile at: www.firefighternation.com/profile/foghorn811. Read his blog, follow his discussions. He gets it.