While it’s clear that the role of the company officer can make a break the success of a crew, station or organization-it may be more critical now than ever.
Be it amplified in the national news where the role of a company officer is now making national and world headlines, or day to day where a company officer does the right thing-ensuring a successful incident…it can be argued (and won!) that the most critical role in any fire department are the company officers.
First due fire or incident size Up? Always.
Initial tactical command? Absolutely.
First due in sizing up your crew before the run? Always.
Being the first to deal with firehouse personnel issues? Absolutely.
There are few situations that don’t land on the Chief’s desk or in the city attorney’s office that weren’t first encountered by a COMPANY OFFICER.
Company officers often feel caught between competing priorities. They must care about and advocate for the needs of their crew. But they must also hold members accountable to achieve shift, station and department goals. It can be quite a balancing act and often the scales fall hard.
Promoting and developing a company officer that a Chief can trust and can count on-and a company officer who the members of the crew can also count on….is very possible and helps everyone “sleep better” at night. Leaders and specifically company officers don’t have to choose between being a good “people/company person” or a “department person”—both are essential for effective leadership – and can be accomplished.
We’ve spent time working on solutions for chiefs in developing solid company officers-and ideas for company officers to be able to be part of their crew-but yet be a successful “boss” as well…and one person who has some very successful real world ideas is Dr. Ed Sherman,
A ONE HOUR LEXIPOL WEBINAR FOCUSED ON FD COMPANY OFFICERS – NO COST
Join Dr. Ed Sherman (Psy.D) for this kitchen table conversation with me exploring how company officers can do the right thing for their people but also ensure the work gets done.
Ed is a veteran firefighter & officer with a lifetime of public safety experience. His entire focus is the “human factors” in leadership and has some great insight on why things go the way they do-and what we can do to support company officers in making things go in the needed direction.
On Thursday, February 16 – 1300-1400 Eastern please join us at no cost for some great insight and some immediate takeaways that can make tough situations go better-and good situations grow and improve. There are few better investments for a fire department than in their first line supervisors-our company officers. And there are few who have spent a lifetime studying this subject that Dr. Ed Sherman.
This opportunity won’t cost the organization a dollar but will be an excellent way to invest in your company officers.
FIRE DEPARTMENT COMPANY OFFICERS WILL LEARN:
-How to draw boundaries that convey support but also ensure the work gets done.
-Strategies for enhancing communication with firefighters to more effectively address issues.
-Critical “people skills” for fire service leaders.
-The importance of asking for help—and knowing when and who to ask.
-Strategies for enhancing communication with firefighters to more effectively address issues.
-Critical “people skills” for fire service leaders.
-The importance of asking for help—and knowing when and who to ask.
REGISTER HERE:
https://info.lexipol.com/ webinar-company-officer- dilemma-tslThursday, February 16 | 1 pm Eastern [60 minutes]
https://info.lexipol.com/