Firehouse Leadership

[StudentLeader]

I am active duty military and I am working on a leadership degree. I am currently researching leadership of both military units and fire departments. The research hypothesis is that leadership in both types of organizations is related to Servant Leadership Theory. This theory proposes that the leader serves the follower to mutually accomplish a higher goal. Any fire fighter that would like to help me with my studies and make an input to this research can simply click on the link below and take a short survey. It is my hope that I can document the servanthood nature of your proud profession. Thank you for your time and what you do for us all each day.


https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?...l8DiwH2w_3d_3d

[ScareCrow57]

I will say that many top notch organizations also use this model. The job of the manger is to enable the employee to do their job. The manager is to get you the tools and the training you need. Come to think of it, this was something I learned in the Managing people and Technology class I took. The course focused on "geeks". Introverted folks who tend to work on their own. When leading these types of people it is best to let them do their work and you enable them or guide them as needed.

[gunnyv]

Your link is going to the home page. Fix it and folks will help you out.

With my experience on both sides, fire and military, I would say you are on the right track. For an interesting take on the similarities, here's an article from the former Marine Corps Commandant, Gen Krulak.

http://firechief.com/mag/firefightin...ss_management/

[cheffie]

Thanks for posting that link Gunnyv. Outstanding article.

[StudentLeader]

Scarecrow57, Gunnyv & Cheffle,

Thank you for your replies, the article and the heads up on the URL. I copied the URL again. Hopefully it will work now. Otherwise the webpage may have some kind of screen.


https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?...l8DiwH2w_3d_3d

[ScareCrow57]

Took your survey, as wiht many surveys I oftne have a problem with some questions
I took the time to show my problems here

8. My leader talks more about followers’ accomplishments than his or her own.
My leader talks about the accomplishments and services of the group. It isn't about him or the individual, it is about the team and the service.

15. My leader understands that serving others is most important.
Subjective here. I would say that in our case serving our own needs first, others second. Reason being if I don't fulfill my needs then there is no way to serve others.

18. My leader gives of his or her self with no ulterior motives.
There are always ulterior motives. Be it the motivation of the employees, the direction of the organization or satisfying the customer.

29. My leader understands that service is the core of leadership.
I don't believe this statement to be true. The core of leadership is to provide direction and enablement.

[CaptOldTimer]

I will say that many top notch organizations also use this model. The job of the manger is to enable the employee to do their job. The manager is to get you the tools and the training you need. Come to think of it, this was something I learned in the Managing people and Technology class I took. The course focused on "geeks". Introverted folks who tend to work on their own. When leading these types of people it is best to let them do their work and you enable them or guide them as needed.

I think the OP wanted "firefighters" to respond to his survey!!

[ScareCrow57]

I think the OP wanted "firefighters" to respond to his survey!!

I am.

However, leadership is leadership, doesn't matter what the job function is.

[haligan155]

Hate to say it, but scarecrow is right. My Principle of Management class, which focused on private sector business very much mimicked the management style of the fire service. Terms may be different, but objective is the same. Get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible.

[Rice09]

Are there any differences in the military and civilian firefighting tactics? I'm sure there is. Just wondering.

[gunnyv]

Certainly are, depending on circumstances. The likelihood of explosive ordnance often has an effect. There are even differences between the services way of doing things. For example, in my experience, Marine crash crews fight aircraft fires more aggressively than the Air Force. We have smaller apparatus (more easily deployable) with less water but more manning (single role crash crew vs crossmanning structural pumpers). We will spot on the aircraft and deploy handlines earlier to concentrate on a rescue path to the pilot vs circling the a/c while extinguishing with turrets. They are not wrong, they just have more water to use. Of course, this tactical method might have something to do with the innate aggressiveness that comes with being a Marine.

[VinnieB]

Are there any differences in the military and civilian firefighting tactics? I'm sure there is. Just wondering.

Yes, there are a-lot of differences. First and fore most, as firefighters, we know how fire will move, we can predict the fires travel and the same tactics work fore the most part. Stretch a line, go through unburned section, open the roof...etc etc. In military tactics...there are TOO many variables....combat is a chess game. Your enemy is not as predictable as fire. There are Western and Eastern mentalities of fighting. For instance; Firepower(Siege)[Western Style] vs Mobile Warfare [Eastern Style]. If a combat commander does not learn to balance his capabilities then he is doomed...well...his men are doomed. The combat commander has more to loose than a fire chief. Granted, they both can loose men...butm the combat commander WILL loose men and worse that can happen is loose a nation, the chief...will loose a building.....worse...is loose men.

Even within the US Military there are even more complex differences. US Army Infantry fight different then US Marine Infantry. The reasons can be attributed to man power, TO&E, tactics, training, warrior ethos, and esprit de corps. Marines are far more aggressive than any other service out there. Its helps us and it hinders us.

Military Tactics trade lives for rel estate. Firefighting tactics trade rel estate for rel estate. Watch the movie 300 and you'll get what I mean. As a platoon Sgt, I made my Marines read the book before we deployed to Iraq. Then they started to understand why I am such a fanatic.

[LaFireEducator]

Hate to say it, but scarecrow is right. My Principle of Management class, which focused on private sector business very much mimicked the management style of the fire service. Terms may be different, but objective is the same. Get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible

Another reason why fire department operations is much closer to a business than most would admit, and shy fire service leaders should be required to obtain business degrees before taking command positions.

[haligan155]

I agree, but the Public Administration degree is a much more well suited program than business, as it mixes business, political science and government principles into a Baccalaureate and eventually a Masters.

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

Hate to say it, but scarecrow is right. My Principle of Management class, which focused on private sector business very much mimicked the management style of the fire service. Terms may be different, but objective is the same. Get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Even a stopped clock is right twice a day...

[LaFireEducator]

Public administration would also be a good fit. It would cover areas that a business degree would not, though there are areas of a business degree that I feel are important which are not covered in Public Admin.

The bottom line is that the days of the "street firefighter" advancing through the ranks and being promoted to a position as a member of the command staff should be long gone if we are to be taken seriously as professional service run by professionals.

They simply do not have the skills to handle the business end of the fire department.

IMO a Lt in a career department should have a minimum of 30 college credits before promotion and a Captain should have a minimum of 60. Any divisional Chief position - Training, Prevention, Communications - or Battalion or District should have completed a minimum of 90 hours and any Deputy, Assistant or Chief of department should have completed a BS program before eligible for promotion to that position.

[VinnieB]

IMO a Lt in a career departmen

No one cares about your opinion.....Firemen are talking...sit in the corner and raise your hand when you want to speak.

[LaFireEducator]

Nope, but I do hear dinosaurs grunting.

[ThNozzleman]

No one cares about your opinion.....Firemen are talking...sit in the corner and raise your hand when you want to speak.

BAM!!!!

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

Posted by LAFireEducator

IMO a Lt in a career department should have a minimum of 30 college credits before promotion and a Captain should have a minimum of 60. Any divisional Chief position - Training, Prevention, Communications - or Battalion or District should have completed a minimum of 90 hours and any Deputy, Assistant or Chief of department should have completed a BS program before eligible for promotion to that position.

This drivel is coming from someone who feels that covering all of the aspects for firefighter 1-2 isn't necessary for his FD...

Opinions are like anal sphincters. Everybody has one, some of them are full of fecal matter and are extremely malodorous.