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Younger chiefs/officers
Had something happen in our county that raised a few eyebrows and figured I would throw it out and see what the emotions are. Recently, a company in the area elected a 21-year-old chief. I had heard (nothing factual, just strictly hear-say) that some of the members had issues with this. Many of them, of course, being the older and more experienced members. I am not sure if they are upset about being outranked by a younger, less experienced individual or reasonably feel that he is incapable. Just curious to see what everyones opinion is on the situation.
I am a young officer myself. I was 21 when I was appointed to the fire sergeant position. I am confident in my abilities, both on scene and in station, as are the members under me. Our system is designed so the fire chief is elected in December and takes office in January (one year term). The chief then chooses his officers and presents them for approval of the company at the January meeting. The chief of course has his own opinions and courses that he feels an individual should have before being placed in the position. Of course, no chief would place anyone in an officer position if he/she were not comfortable being represented by this individual or having this individual making decisions be it on the fireground or in the station. I would hope that the general membership electing a chief, no matter how that particular stations system is designed, would abide by the same guidelines. I feel that as long as the individual has the knowledge (station workings, incident stabilization, personnel issues, etc.)and maturity and has demonstrated such, then age should not be an issue.
I am a young officer myself. I was 21 when I was appointed to the fire sergeant position. I am confident in my abilities, both on scene and in station, as are the members under me. Our system is designed so the fire chief is elected in December and takes office in January (one year term). The chief then chooses his officers and presents them for approval of the company at the January meeting. The chief of course has his own opinions and courses that he feels an individual should have before being placed in the position. Of course, no chief would place anyone in an officer position if he/she were not comfortable being represented by this individual or having this individual making decisions be it on the fireground or in the station. I would hope that the general membership electing a chief, no matter how that particular stations system is designed, would abide by the same guidelines. I feel that as long as the individual has the knowledge (station workings, incident stabilization, personnel issues, etc.)and maturity and has demonstrated such, then age should not be an issue.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Troy on
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Nothing replaces experience. I know nothing about being "voted in". Where I come from you test against others for the position and provided you meet the minumum score the best person for the job is appointed. Being voted sounds pretty flimsy to me. Nobody really knows what others think of their performance. In a large department you know because engineers and firefighters will not bid into your house unless you know what is going on and prove it. Both of you seem to think your stuff doesn't stink.
Troy
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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Bristol on
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If he was eleceted then that means that he has all the quailfications for that position at least i would think
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Permalink Reply by Donald Fringer on
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Im 40 years old and have been in now for 25 years
I have noticed some of "older"guys really dont feel they need to keep up on training. Most do but as with anything you have the few who think they are the best
My house now has a 30 something Captain running for Deputy and a 50 something asst chief running for the same
the older guys really dont like the idea of the capt running but I for one am voting for him
he is a paid firefighter and has alot of training and the "new" way and ideas
I have no problem if you have to skills and the right attitude to vote for a younger line officer
Im new to this house been here a year
I was a lt at my old house and a capt before this so I have the time to have personally watched alot
and again have to say age doesnt matter as long as you can mentally handle the task at hand be it a call or in house duty
FF1 D Fringer
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Permalink Reply by Lt.leatherhead on
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huh, well honestly being a young firefighter myself I really don't see how someone my age would be able to have enough experience to handle this giant task of running a fire department. I'm a multi department firefighter and feel as if I am very good at what I do but I could never take a position of chief at this age even if it was offered to me due to the fact that I simply don't have enough years in the service. I don't know maybe i'm mistaken and i honestly wish this fellow firefighter the best of luck. oh and for a few of you that find the need to puff out your chest and tell us all how smart you are and how everyone turns to you for the right ideas it'd be nice if you'd give it a rest. Do you ever wonder why young firefighters get the reputation we do. thanks by the way
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Permalink Reply by Moose on
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Thank god others are trying to talk sense to this brother. I sincerely hope he listens to you brother and doesnt get him or others hurt because of his ignorance and pride.
We tried.......
Stay Safe all
Moose
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Permalink Reply by msfirefighter0 on
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Way to much time on your hands. You both should should go into politics, minus the profanity. Are you forgetting why you are firefighters?
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Permalink Reply by Allen Wahlstrom on
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OK this is a forum...it is a place where ideas are exchanged, and hopefully a place where there is some thought put into the responses.
I have never once forgotten why I became a firefighter, and every morning when I put on the uniform and kiss my family goodbye I remember why I do this.
Now as a senior firefighter I feel it is my duty to pass on knowledge and sometimes put a younger firefighter in check when they get too big for their 21 year old britches. I was blessed with firefighters who did the same for me and Im alive today because they did.
If my choice of words offends I apologize, but sometimes "bad" just doesn't get the point across. And if you are ever caught in a flashover, you'll fully understand my choice of words.
Young guys get LOTS of certificates and they looks great on a resume, however "certified" most definatly does not make one "qualified". And that was the point I was trying to make.
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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on
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Please excuse me while I turn to the right and talk to the wall.
Art
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Permalink Reply by ee779 on
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Ok, here's my take.....we have some younger officers in our company and some are good leaders, some are not. but, in a volunteer organization you're going to have some degree of favoritizim in the company (cliques, if you will) that's what it sounds like every time I hear that someone has been elected that may not have the qualifications for the office. Putting a 21 year old in a lieutenant position might be ok, depending on the amount of training and calls they've been on. But, personally I think the company might be on a fast moving downward slope if they elect someone as chief or even capitan if that person doesn't have the training,experience or maturity to handle EVERY situation that may come his or her way!
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Permalink Reply by Captain Hays on
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Knowledge, Maturity, Age, Guidelines, SOP, or SOG all these items apply to us as Firefighter's, Lt's Captain's, BC's and even the Chief.
My only thought is not based on if this young man is qaulified, or his age. Don't get me wrong, 21 is still young. And i only say because when i was 21.. I was young. So i can only talk in regards to myself. I really didn't see life and it's problems untill i joined a fire department, and became a father. I was reasponsable for lives of my fellow firefighters, my partner on the end of that hose. My young wife and children open my eye's to the other side of life.
My point is this, as the IC of a emergency incident, you are reasonsable for lives. Ask this young man if he is prepaired to stand before a mother or a father, and explain why their son or daughter will not be returning home from a fire or any other emergency that threatens the lives of responders every second of this job. Is this young Chief prepaired to risk a lot to save a lot. The IC makes the hard choices, and has to live with everyone of them. In my opionion being IC is not about age, it's about being the most qaulified person on the fire ground, because the life of my brother's, sister's and the public depend on them!!!
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Permalink Reply by Ron Graner on
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I would strongly urge the department and this young chief to get a copy of my book The Fire Chief's tool box available from Fire Engineering books and videos at http://store.pennwellbooks.com
There are a lot of things that anyone, career or volunteer must know to become a successful fire chief. I wish this young man well in his new position and caution him about the pitfalls that do exist.
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Permalink Reply by Wendy Neumeyer on
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You know with all these courses you have taken by the age of nineteen, it's amazing you have any energy left to run calls. I'm certain if you received all those certifications that you have some knowlege and a certain level of intelligence. Speaking from experience, I know it takes a while to translate what you learn in a book, or a scenario to a live fire incident. Fire is a living, breathing entity just waiting for you to slip up. If you forget something, or encounter something new, and you have to hesitate, all it takes is a few seconds and its got you. There is no substitute for experience.
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