“Over the past 20 plus years, the fire service has significantly increased the emphasis placed on the health and safety of firefighters. This includes training more effectively, providing consistent and effective Incident Command, developing and following standard operating procedures (SOPs), providing proper equipment and complying with regulations and standards. In addition, health evaluations, emphasizing psychological – emotional – physical wellness, tracking chemical and medical exposures and utilizing safety officers have also contributed to the health and safety of firefighters. Even with all of this in place, those who occupy positions of leadership are critical and must accept and act out their responsibilities every day…no matter how difficult or unpopular those actions might be. This may be easier said than done, but lots of fire department leaders regularly (and effectively) do it.”
In a recent Firehouse column, Dennis Compton, chairman of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Board of Directors, offered some tips on leadership attributes needed to help minimize the risk of firefighters operating at emergency scenes.
To access Chief Compton’s complete commentary, please visit:
Firehouse: Assessing What They LACK: L is for Leadership
Background information:
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
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