Editor’s note: We welcome Chief Shane Ray, Executive Vice President of the National Fire Sprinkler Association, and Kevin O’Connor, Assistant to the General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), as our new alternating Fire Politics columnists.
When you think of fire, what comes to mind?
Do you think fire and emergency service are great organizations serving at the local, state and federal levels? Do you recognize these groups as made up of caring people and progressive leaders focused on serving their community, their state and their country?
When you think of politics, what comes to mind?
Do you think of public service in action, great government serving at the local, state and federal levels? Do you recognize those groups as made up of caring people and progressive leaders focused on serving their community, their state, and their country?
OK! I know the politics part was a stretch because many do not view politics in a positive manner. So what does that mean if we try something different?
Our common cause
Fire is a destructive force that takes away lives and property when unmanaged and allowed to burn out of control. Politics can be a destructive process that takes away resources and impacts people’s way of life when unmanaged and out of control. Let’s not view the negatives of fire or politics. Let’s find the positive and know we have a common cause that is service oriented and that we care about those we serve and those we serve with.
Many times, we are able to make it positive due to the positive influence of those who have gone before us. We are grateful for the legacy of those who brought fire politics to life with this column. The perspectives expressed by Hal Bruno and Chief Dennis Compton that impact all aspects of the fire and emergency services have made a difference to us over the years – from the newest recruit to the most veteran fire chief, in a large, medium, small, urban, suburban or rural fire department. From an industrial fire brigade to an EMS organization, to our state or federal military fire departments, from the largest fire apparatus and equipment manufacturer, supplier or sales company, to the entrepreneur with the next new product, fire politics is involved and so should we be. Now, let’s build on their legacy.
What an honor it is to be afforded the opportunity to write about two things I am very passionate about and have been very blessed to participate in. What a challenge to follow two great fire leaders and political influencers as Hal Bruno and Denny Compton, and I do so with a humble heart ready to continue the difference making.
I was blessed to not only read Hal Bruno’s column since having a subscription to Firehouse® Magazine at age 13, but to have also interacted with him at the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial and at Congressional Fire Services Institute events. I was also blessed to serve as a college intern in the Phoenix Fire Department when Chief Compton was assistant chief. These great leaders taught me a lot about fire, about politics and about fire politics.
Fire Politics in Firehouse® will afford me the opportunity to share some thoughts and information that hopefully encourages you to embrace and engage, in a positive manner, regardless of your title or position in the fire and emergency service. We hope to share with and engage the overall fire and emergency service. By this, we mean those active in the fire department or retired, sworn, civilian, career, volunteer, elected official, fire equipment and apparatus sales or concerned citizen. Involving, engaging and embracing all the stakeholders is a political trait that serves well when concerned about outcomes that improve quality of life for those we serve. We need to participate at all levels to make what could be negatives for some become positives for all.
Speaking of positives, sharing this column with a respected colleague who is a much more seasoned veteran at fire politics will enhance the scope of this column. Kevin O’Connor, Assistant to the General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), will share with you every other month and my hope is that we will provide a good balance between career and volunteer perspectives. I have been honored to work with Kevin on issues in Washington, DC, for over a decade and I look forward to that here at Firehouse®. We have long recognized that many, if not most, issues are relative to both the career and volunteer fire service. We certainly know we need to be a united fire service, respectful of each other and focused on service.
Serve on and let us hear from you! Let us know what you’re thinking, what you’re feeling and what you’re facing – that’s Fire Politics!
We will not run out of issues we face and politics will always be involved! Make it positive and serve well. Stay safe and stay informed!
