With the New Year comes those recently elected to office assuming the roles to which they were elected. This is often a time of celebration as we focus on fresh starts; however, if the vote didn’t go your way, it may be a time of concern. Like most things in life, politics is what we make it.
Let me encourage you to make it positive! Reach out early to your newly elected policy makers with a card or via social media just to say congratulations and let them know you are willing to work together to serve the citizens. Begin the dialogue with a simple gesture, letting them know you want to be involved.
Make a difference
Regardless whether you are a recruit firefighter, company officer, fire marshal, fire chief or paramedic, politics can be influenced in a positive manner. National elections may feel far removed for some of you and the fire company election that seems so close may be frustrating, but rest assured, you can make a difference if you are informed and involved.
I recently relocated to New York just in time for the recent elections, and I had the opportunity to cast my vote in the national elections as well as my volunteer fire company. I took the time to learn as much as I could about the system and the candidates seeking office. I cast my vote, and now it’s time to show my support! Before I offer my support, I have to establish contact, continue to learn about them and remain aware of the issues. My advice to you, identify the issues that you feel will best serve the citizens you’re sworn to protect! Make the connections with them and be a leader.
A good example of this at the national level is the FIRE Act grants. The FIRE Act is something at the federal level that has bipartisan support and makes a difference to every political leader at the federal, state, local and individual level. If history holds true, it’s time for the national fire service groups to get together and begin working on what’s next. Is there life after grants? Will the U.S. Fire Administration ever get funded as recommended in America Burning? As a firefighter who has been hired compliments of a SAFER grant, have you read America Burning, America Burning Revisited or onto Vision 20/20 (www.strategicfire.com)? If not, why not? It’s time to get informed and help mold the future of the fire service.
An example of an issue that we don’t necessarily all agree on or participate in as much as we should are the codes and standards process. Are you a member of NFPA and ICC? If not, you should be because they have a process where we get to campaign, vote and support! We want the fire apparatus we ride on and the PPE we wear to meet a standard; why shouldn’t our fire stations, our homes and the other buildings in our community also comply with the code? I encourage you to get involved in the codes process because firefighter safety, as well as citizens safety depends on it. Visit www.nfpa.org and www.iccsafe.org for more information.
Let’s learn and let’s lead. The fire service has some of the greatest people in the world and we should be actively engaged in the political system.
Unfortunately, many of our thoughts and attitudes toward political issues have oftentimes been controversial and in the recent years we’ve allowed our emotions to overshadow our servant hearts and cooperative spirit to make a difference. I am also concerned that we aren’t engaging with our elected officials as much as we should be. The key to success is to support one another, sit at the table and have civil dialogue with our allies as well as our adversaries. We have to learn and understand the current economic and political environment and plan our strategy accordingly. We can do it! We know how to lead and we can bring people together by sharing our vision.
Get involved! Participate from your local community to your state legislature, to Washington DC. The best way to start is your local county firefighters and chiefs associations (go to the meetings and join a committee). Also, please get involved at the state level with your fire service associations; it isn’t about what you get, it’s about what you give, that is what associations were founded for.
Speaking of getting involved, there is one national political event annually in our country. I challenge you to not only attend this event, but to invite at least two people to go with you – first a fellow fire service leader and second an elected official. Bring these people to the Congressional Fire Services Institute Seminars and Dinner on April 15-16, 2015. This makes a difference! Schedule meetings with your Congressmen and Senators – just stop by and say hi, share the good, be positive and be grateful for their help on past fire service legislation. Let them know that you appreciate them helping you make a difference in the community or district you serve.
To each of you, I hope 2015 is a productive, healthy and INVOLVED year that sees you challenge the status quo while becoming part of the solution! Until next time, serve well, stay safe and stay informed!
pull quote:
The fire service has some of the greatest people in the world and we should be actively engaged in the political system.
SHANE RAY has been a volunteer firefighter since 1984 and a career firefighter since 1994. He has also served as a mayor for six years and the Tennessee Fire Chief’s Legislative Chairman for 12 years. Ray’s love for politics started as fire chief of the Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department in Tennessee, where he served 13 years. He then served under Governor Nikki Haley in South Carolina as Superintendent and State Fire Marshal. He currently serves as the Executive Vice President of the National Fire Sprinkler Association and a volunteer firefighter in Dutchess County, NY. Throughout his career, he has been committed to public service with a “Do It Different” mentality and that all stakeholders are important.
Connect with Shane
Twitter: @ChiefRayS
Facebook: facebook.com/ChiefShaneRay4
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/pub/shane-ray/6/278/9b8
