Leadership

I had the distinct honor over the years in my fire protection career while serving in the United States Air Force (USAF) to be in a leadership position/role as a Crew Chief, Station Captain, and Assistant Chief. My role as a leader in the fire protection service was a developing one that put me in the position to lead other fire fighters on the fire ground. You have to have the confidence in yourself to take on the important task of a leader. Now of course, I had the leadership development classes and courses which are good building blocks to being a good leader. These classes helped greatly in shaping me into a leading then and continues to this day. Developing leadership abilities is an on going process for one who leads. More then ever, and in my opinion, a leader never forgets the path he/she traveled in life, as well as never gets that perverbial “big head” that you know there all to know just because your in a leadership position. The corner stone of any leader will be his or hers Integrity.

The Essence of Leadership:

“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He or she does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of his/her actions and the integrity of his/her intent. In the end, leaders are much like Eagles… They don’t flock, you find them one at a time”

You have to understand you can’t just do a few things when in the position as a leader, then say you’re an Eagle, and thus that makes you a good leader. It’s more then just simple talk, it’s walking the walk when doing the talk as a leader.

Leadership involves combinations of a variety of outlooks and views. One could say there's a lot to being "In Charge." I found over http://www.fireleadership.gov/values_principles.html an outline or sort of some very good and to the point Values and Principles.

Let’s take a look and review the Values and Principles to Leadership…

Duty

Duty is how you value your job. Duty begins with everything required of you by law and policy, but it is much more than that. A leader commits to excellence in all aspects of their professional responsibility so that when the job is done they can look back and say "I couldn't have given any more."

Be proficient in your job, both technically and as a leader

* Take charge when in charge.
* Adhere to professional standard operating procedures.
* Develop a plan to accomplish given objectives

Make sound and timely decisions

* Maintain situation awareness in order to anticipate needed actions.
* Develop contingencies and consider consequences.
* Improvise within the commander’s intent to handle a rapidly changing environment.

Ensure that tasks are understood, supervised and accomplished

* Issue clear instructions.
* Observe and assess actions in progress without micro-managing.
* Use positive feedback to modify duties, tasks, and assignments when appropriate.

Develop your subordinates for the future

* Clearly state expectations.
* Delegate those tasks that you are not required to do personally.
* Consider individual skill levels and developmental needs when assigning tasks.

Respect

Respect is how you value your co-workers. Respect for the individual forms the very basis for the rule of law in America. This value reminds you that those who follow you are your greatest resource. Not all of your followers will succeed equally, but they all deserve respect.

Know your subordinates and look out for their well being

* Put the safety of your subordinates above all other objectives.
* Take care of your subordinate’s needs.
* Resolve conflicts between individuals on the team.

Keep your subordinates informed

* Provide accurate and timely briefings.
* Give the reason (intent) for assignments and tasks.
* Make yourself available to answer questions at appropriate times.

Build the team

* Conduct frequent debriefings with the team to identify lessons learned.
* Recognize individual and team accomplishments and reward them appropriately.
* Apply disciplinary measures equally.

Employ your subordinates in accordance with their capabilities

* Observe human behavior as well as fire behavior.
* Provide early warning to subordinates of tasks they will be responsible for.
* Consider team experience, fatigue, and physical limitations when accepting assignments.

Integrity

Integrity is how you value yourself. You cannot be in charge of others unless you are in charge of yourself. People of integrity separate what is right from what is wrong and act according to what they know is right, even at personal cost.

Know yourself and seek improvement

* Know the strengths/weaknesses in your character and skill level.
* Ask questions of peers and superiors.
* Actively listen to feedback from subordinates.

Seek responsibility and accept responsibility for your actions

* Accept full responsibility for and correct poor team performance.

* Credit subordinates for good performance.
* Keep your superiors informed of your actions.

Set the example

* Share the hazards and hardships with your subordinates.
* Don’t show discouragement when facing setbacks.
* Choose the difficult right over the easy wrong.

This list of Values and Principles to Leadership was and still is something that I apply as a leader over the years. The list acts as a guide to follow with the corner stone being Integrity.

You have a guide or flight plan but what about some rules to follow as a leader. Something I carried over the years in my old day planner I have was a little list of rules for a leader that I cut out of a Parade Magazine. Everyone back then had a day planner. lol You see one ever once in a while. The list that I still have to this day was from an article on General Colin Powell. The list was the “13 Rules of Leadership.” I’ll end this blog entry with a YouTube of Colin Powell’s “13 Rules of Leadership.” Write them down and make your own list to refer to. Here’s the video…

Now that you have your list of Values and Principles to Leadership and the list of the 13 Rules of Leadership, it’s time to be a leader of action.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

September is Campus Fire Safety Month

September is Campus Fire Safety Month

Campus fire safety has become an important issue across the nation. Now in its fifth year, governors across the nation are signing proclamations designating September as Campus Fire Safety Month in their states and resolutions have been introduced in both the U.S. Senate U.S. House of Representatives. Schools across the country will be holding events to educate and inform students about what they can do to help ensure they are not the victim of a preventable fire.

Campus Fire Safety - UL Safety Tour

New York State Fire Marshal's Office Student Fire Safety

More than 10 million young adults between ages 18 and 24 are heading to college after Labor day. Will they be ready to face an emergency situation such as a residence hall or apartment fire? Unfortunately, tragedies seem to happen every academic year, mostly in off-campus housing such as apartments, rental homes, or Greek housing, places where more than three-fourths of all college students live. What's worse, most of these fires could be prevented.

September’s "National Campus Fire Safety Month" launches a public awareness campaign to remind parents and students about the need for better fire safety when heading to college. The organizations will reach out to local, state and national media as well as contact college media. Focus will be on basic fire safety prevention, and address the four common factors seen in campus-related fires: lack of missing or disabled smoke alarms, careless disposal of smoking materials, alcohol consumption, and lack of automatic sprinkler systems.

How can you help? Campus-related fires impact everyone in a college community, not just students. Help raise the awareness of this important safety message in your community. Please visit the following web sites for Life Safety and Fire Prevention facts and practices…

http://www.campusfiresafetymonth.org/

http://www.campus-firewatch.com/tellastudent.html

http://www.igot2kno.org/

http://www.campusfiresafety.org/home

http://www.campusfiresafety.org/uploaded/Aug09.pdf

Lets be Fire Safe this month and Stay Fire Smart! Don’t Get Burned!

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

Fire Protection Training: Ropes & Knots

How Is That Knot Tied? I have to admit I’m far from the best or most knowledgeable at tying a simple knot. Ropes and knots are an important tool fire fighters may have to use when on the fire ground. It benefit’s the fire fighter to make it a monthly practice to review various knots that might be needed on the emergency scene. Using the correct knot could be the difference of a quick operation being completed or one where there is a delayed because a “Mickey Mouse Knot” was used. A knot that is tied which is a what ever I can tie that looks like a knot but will have to do for the moment could hamper and make for additional danger added to an already dangerous operation. Just like using the right tool for the work at hand, the same can be said about knots. Use the right knot for the operation at hand when utilizing ropes.

Some of the basic firefighting rope tying knots I’ve learned over the years and seem to always be reviewing are the Square, Clove Hitch, Bowling, Figure 8 Bite, and the Butterfly. Could say I wasn’t a Boy Scout in my younger day and if I was I probably be taking awhile to get the merit badge for knot tying. Thus the importance of training and reviewing knot tying on a regular bases.

Lets review and learn to tie some fireman’s knots you may have to use with that rope…

A Square Knot is a quick knot that can be tied two different ways….

A proper Clove Hitch looks like a pretzel….

The Bowline is a self-tightening knot that can be used for many things….

A Figure Eight Bite is a common way to attach objects to rope….

The Butterfly Knot forms a locking loop in the middle of a rope….

On the fire ground, fire fighters may have to hoist tools up with a rope to another fire fighter at a higher level. Tools that are tied to a rope need to have the correct knots used so they don’t create a fall hazard.

Here’s how a Fire Axe is tied onto ropes using the Bowline….

A Halligan tool is a fireman's tool used to pry, twist, punch or strike. Here’s how a Halligan tool is tied onto ropes using the Figure Eight Bite….

There is a great amount of reference material on the internet today to help home in on the skill, as well as use as a resource for tying knots correctly. The above YouTubes videos by Fire Fighter Captain Joe Bruni are readily available to help fire fighters know how to tie a particular knot correctly. This information resource should be used when ever training. Especially, when there isn’t a knowledgeable instructor available. To build that knowledge base so the job can get done when call upon to do so.

Another good and one of the best online sites for learning & referencing knot tying that I came across is…

Grog's Search & Rescue Knots Index

The www.animatedknots.com/ web site shows a step by step way to learn how to tie various knots. As a fire fighter it’s “Better to know a knot and not need it, than need a knot and not know it.”

You cannot plough a field by turning it over in your mind ~ author unknown

The same applies to training in the fire protection field, you just can’t think about training and the training magically happens. Training must be explained, shown, have practical “hands on,” actual showing & doing, and displaying confidence in doing what is being taught. This is the training process, a multi-step process of “how” something is done. Just thinking about training is not going to make the grade, the actual doing is going to get you across the finish line.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

Ten Fire Safety Tips:

Here are 10 fire safety tips that will help keep you and your family safe from fire, please read through them and discuss them with your family.

1. Install and test smoke detectors

Working smoke detectors can alert you to a fire in your home in time for you to escape, even if you are sleeping. Install smoke detectors near each sleeping area, it is best if you install one inside your sleeping area as well. Test detectors every month (always follow the manufacturer's directions) and replace batteries once a year, or whenever a detector "chirps" to signal low battery power. Never "borrow" a smoke detector's battery for another use - a disabled detector can't save your life. Replace detectors that are more than 10 years old.

2. Plan Your Escape From Fire

If a fire breaks out in your home, you have to get out fast. Prepare for a fire emergency by sitting down with your family and agreeing on an escape plan. Be sure that everyone knows at least two ways out - including doors and windows - from every room. (If you live in an apartment building, do not include elevators in your escape plan.) Decide on a meeting place outside where everyone will meet after they escape. Have your entire household practice your escape plan at least twice a year.

3. Keep An Eye On Smokers

Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths in North America. Smoking in bed or when you are drowsy could be deadly. Provide smokers with large, deep non-tip ashtrays and soak butts with water before discarding them. Before going to bed or leaving home after someone has been smoking, check under and around cushions and upholstered furniture for smoldering cigarettes.

4. Cook Carefully

Never leave cooking unattended. Keep cooking areas clear of combustibles and wear clothes with short, rolled-up or tight-fitting sleeves when you cook. Turn pot handles inward on the stove where you can't bump them and children can't grab them. Enforce a "Kid-Free Zone" three feet (one meter) around your kitchen stove. If grease catches fire in a pan, slide a lid over the pan to smother the flames and turn off the heat. Leave the lid on until cool.

5. Give Space Heaters Space

Keep portable heaters and space heaters at least three feet (one meter) from anything that can burn. Keep children and pets away from heaters, and never leave heaters on when you leave home or go to bed.

6. Remember: Matches And Lighters Are Tools, Not Toys

In a child's hand, matches and lighters can be deadly. Use only child-resistant lighters and store all matches and lighters up high, where small children can't see or reach them, preferably in a locked cabinet. Teach your children that matches and lighters are tools, not toys, and should be used only by adults or with adult supervision. Teach young children to tell a grown-up if they find matches or lighters; older children should bring matches or lighters to an adult immediately.

7. Cool A Burn

Run cool water over a burn for 10 to 15 minutes. Never put butter or any grease on a burn. If the burned skin blisters or is charred, see a doctor immediately. Never use ice.

8. Use Electricity Safely

If an electrical appliance smokes or has an unusual smell, unplug it immediately, then have it serviced before using it again. Replace any electrical cord that is cracked or frayed. Don't overload extension cords or run them under rugs. Don't tamper with your fuse box or use improper-size fuses.

9. Crawl Low Under Smoke

During a fire, smoke and poisonous gases rise with the heat. The air is cleaner and cooler near the floor. If you encounter smoke while you are escaping from a fire, use an alternate escape route

10. Stop, Drop And Roll

If your clothes catch fire, don't run. Stop where you are, drop to the ground, cover your face with your hands, and roll over and over to smother the flames.

Using prevention techniques will greatly improve your chances of never having to escape from a fire. Don't be fooled though, you never know when or where a fire will break out--always be ready! Be Fire Safe!

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)