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Need Your Input: Power-Hungry Chief
I'm a member of a volunteer fire and rescue dept. We have aprox. 20 members and approx. 15 explorers. Here is our problem we have a chief who thinks that he is the absolute final say so on every decision even if our sog's say otherwise . i guess what i'm saying is that he thinks he is god almighty. and the rest of us think he's just an idiot. When he first became chief every thing was ok however now he has became power hungry. What is your opion.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Thad Rather on
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Mike,
Everyone had good advice but one thing that I read stuck out to me. "When he first became chief every thing was ok however now he has became power hungry." If he was ok at first that would make me believe he may have some sence. Have to tried to talk to him about it. Being a Chief or Asst Chief there is a lot that we have to deal with and our decisions can effect everyone. You have to really think about the right way to do this in order not to offend him. The best leaders need to listen to input but they don't have to do what their people suggest. Just my thought as an Asst Chief. By the way, Have you spoke with the chain of command yet?
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Permalink Reply by FF Nick on
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Our department, the Chief writes the SOG/P's and they are final which gives him the so called "absolute final say". When the chit turns south it's the Chief that's gonna be the one answering questions and if it turns really south, he's going to be the one in jail. Could you say that you'd let everyone else run the show when you have to be the one that answers to it?
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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on
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No Mike...as Chief you are solely responsible for the leadership, training and everything that happens in the Department whether you are on scene or not....So actually he doesn't have to listen to input....He may ask for it...but it can't be forced upon him....
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Derek...if his Chief reads this post I seriously doubt he will explain anything to him....He, more than likely will no longer be in the Department....it is called insubordination...and everywhere I have been it is grounds for dismissal.....again my friend...time to bail out of this one.......before a flashover occurs and you get burned.
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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on
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He's Chief isn't he? I interpret that as being the final say does stop with him....
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Permalink Reply by Fabulous Heather Days of Summer on
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btw from time to time we all get pissed off at each other, our officers, our chiefs, and pretty much anyone else doing something we do not like - it sucks - but human nature and the right to personal choice means everyone is not a robot and will not always make decisions that we like... Many of us have had it out with others on our departments, internal department (or even district) issues of conflict are more common than you may know - but people keep them quiet within their district or department so as not to bring shame to the industry or to their colleagues.
We all feel your pain... I hear voodoo dolls work for those days when words are not appropriate.
This commonly happens in other work settings as well in all walks of life... and may i remind, the fire service is para-military and thus consider how many soldiers have wanted to hang their superior officers, but realized that was not the best approach in the military.
And as you noticed - just like people can quit their jobs - and sometimes do it in groups - the company will still continue and others will be hired to take their positions in the company... life moves on... and we are all replaceable.
There is a saying "First Seek to Understand... then Seek to Be Understood" try to understand where people he is coming from, what he is thinking, and what is influencing his change in behavior or attitude...
Maybe something happened (personal or professional) that has caused the change in him.
Live to Fight another day !!! You have to be very careful, especially in this industry to pick your battles. Since you can't just go to the next fire house over and expect them to welcome you in, since you will have to work alongside the person you are having conflict with on the neighboring department. They EXPECT you to work it out - since their life and yours depends on it.
just some more of my thoughts... which will only cost a penny in this thread... all other threads > they are the price of a gold bar
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Permalink Reply by Al Williams on
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The Fire Chief is the final word. If you have a problem with how he administers his department then you should gather a group of representative together and talk with him about your concerns. If you are not satisfied then go talk to the mayor about your concerns. If the mayor sides with the Chief then you last resort is the people you protect.
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Permalink Reply by Derek R. on
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Oh, I knew that, Paul. I was going for sarcasm with my comment.
I do agree that this should be a post deserving of a quick tap on the "delete" button.
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I got your sarcasm... hypothetically speaking, he could leave this for his chief to see... LOL
but i see why paul felt the need to drive the point home - insubordination is grounds for immediate dismissal... just incase there was a gray area by which someone thought that leaving this for the chief to see would at all help cool the situation... and make him fly right
hypothetically...
... as in ... hypothetically if God Almighty was bored one day... and came down to this lowly Planet... and decided to piss some humans off... he would not come in a lowly stable in Bethlehem... he would become a fire chief... since that is really the job GOD wanted all along... he is bored with angels and harps and misses the firey action that Hell encompasses - but since he can't make up with Satan... and still save face as "Saving the World"... then he must suffer in heaven - as a fire free zone - subsequently, hypothetically, I could see why he would need to "get out" from time to time and spice up his life with a little Volunteer Chief Action !!!
One could speculate...
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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Just wondering if you all realized this topic was posted over 2 years ago.
Things could have changed.
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Nope - never read that stuff. BUT ... the point is still true - once written it stays in cyber space FOREVER, unless some removes it. He should be covering his tracks.
If not, at least others will learn from our little chit-chat together today.
But thanks for pointing such an important issue out - I HOPE things have changed a few years later !
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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
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Contrary to what some seem to think or maybe dont think, you do not live in a vacuum here. What is posted here on the internet is there for all to see and pass on.
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