Lead from the front or lead from the back? It doesn’t matter as long as there’s a leader

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In today’s world, there is a strong need for leaders to emerge. Some will go to work and do their usual 9 to 5, go home, go to sleep and do it all over again wondering if their manager will ever recognize their strengths and honor their accomplishments. Unfortunately that isn’t the case when we speak about managers. Managers will be there to oversee work and make sure the work gets completed but that’s as far as it goes. Why? Because that’s their job and that’s what they are paid to do. They are results driven based on objectives and don’t have time or take the risks to go beyond that. This goes for all professions across the board. Not all professions have leaders in managerial roles and they aren’t expected to because that’s not what managers are there for. This is part of the reason the fire service has been as strong as it has been since its inception in the United States by a great man known as Benjamin Franklin.
It has been known for many decades that the two things that resonate deep in the fire service is family and respect for our fellow firefighters and our customers; in this case the residents of the community we are sworn to protect. Firefighters want leaders to lead them when the bell goes off and the same goes for those outside of the fire service but how does this happen? 

Simple!

Be your own leader. 

We can all have a manager driving us each day to produce the results they want for their company because in the end all companies have a goal they need to complete. For us in the fire service it’s saving lives and protecting property. For those in the corporate world, it’s producing the numbers to make a profit and working long hours away from family to produce those numbers is what a manger will push their subordinates to do in order to meet those deadlines. 

So why do I say be your own leader? I say this because if you can’t lead yourself you’ll never lead anyone else or go beyond your limits of expectation. It shouldn’t matter where you are in the organization, from the newbie to the most experienced, a leader knows how to build a following regardless of title. The following are my 4 traits to being an effective in and out of the firehouse.

1.    Be Honest. Nothing says leadership than honesty. Building a solid foundation based on honesty not only builds trust between you and those you work with but also keeps them inspired to want to work with you. 

2.    Inspire Others. In order to do this you, yourself must be inspired to excel in your role. If you’re not enthused about what you do others won’t be either. This is another way of leading by example.

3.    Stay Positive. There will be times things will be tough and throwing your hands in the air swearing sometimes natural happens. That’s ok, stay calm and stay positive. The more positive you look the better off everyone around you is during chaotic times. The best chiefs are the ones who remain calm on the radio despite all the chaos around them. Listen to radio transmissions of other departments and take notes on how each officer speaks on the radio. Take the calm ones and keep them in memory to try and emulate their calmness. Also, do the same for the ones who are frantically screaming and tell yourself to try and avoid that as much as possible. This will all come with experience and many years of practice for most.

4.    Be Committed. Be committed to yourself first. Then be committed to your job and your crew. This starts with training. Keeping your skill fresh and sharpened says a lot about you as a person as it does as a leader. People tend to flock to those who are committed to the job and take pride and excellence in it. You don’t need to be the officer to the guy who starts a training session. We are all in this together. 

There they are. My four traits to being a leader. Take these and use them in your life to grow and inspire those to work with and meet on a daily basis. 

Being a manager comes from a title promotion. Being a leader comes from within.

Until next time; work hard, stay safe and live inspired.  

About the Author

NICHOLAS J. HIGGINS is a firefighter with 14 years of service all within departments in Piscataway, NJ. Nick has held the ranks of Lieutenant and Captain as well as being a township elected District Fire Commissioner for 1 term (3 years) in Piscataway, NJ. He is also a NJ State certified level 2 fire instructor. He holds a B.S. in Accounting from Kean University working in Corporate Taxation and is the founder/contributor of the Firehouse Tribune website.

Respect

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As many of you have probably heard the line, “the fire service was here before you and will be here after you.” It doesn’t get much simpler than that now does it? So while we are here, one of the most important things we can do is RESPECT it. When in the firehouse or out, always conduct yourself with respect for your fellow firefighters, the station and the job. Respect and be thankful to those who have been in the service before you because as we all know they are the ones teaching you what you are learning and play a role in your growth and success. Show them you want to follow in their footsteps when it’s time for them to step aside. Make them be confident that you can lead, teach, inspire and make sound fire ground decisions. Show up ready to work and be expected to work hard and get dirty. Be willing to learn as much as you can and become proficient at what you have learned. 

Always carry a level of professionalism as well because we are always a direct representation and reflection of not only our department and the fire service as a whole but to our families. Most importantly remember one thing; the name on your helmet represents your department. The name on your coat represents who raised you. Do them both justice. 

Until next time; work hard, stay safe and live inspired.  

About the Author

NICHOLAS J. HIGGINS is a firefighter with 14 years of service all within departments in Piscataway, NJ. Nick has held the ranks of Lieutenant and Captain as well as being a township elected District Fire Commissioner for 1 term (3 years) in Piscataway, NJ. He is also a NJ State certified level 2 fire instructor. He holds a B.S. in Accounting from Kean University working in Corporate Taxation and is the founder/contributor of the Firehouse Tribune website.

I’m a Firefighter, So Now What?

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I would first off like to start by welcoming and congratulating you all into a very special family and thank you for making a commitment to protecting and serving others.  We all start out as “rookie” firefighters not knowing what to expect when making the decision to enter into such a commitment as the fire service but we all know there’s a reason deep down in each of us that is calling us to this service.  Just like anything else we start off as a blank slate ready to learn with a ton of ambition and drive to succeed.  

In the beginning we feel scared, our nerves are eating at us and we don’t want to make anyone think we can’t do this while the pressure is mounting but we are determined not to be defeated.  Being in this situation is a scary task and feeling as if you are alone is a real experience.  Because of this, here is a list of 10 ways to grow as a firefighter, stay motivated and have a great fire service career:

1. Respect and honor the fire service.  Guys who were here before you paved the way for you to be in this today.  Respect their sacrifices and honor their legacies.  Not everyone can follow in the firefighting tradition.  Consider it an honor. 

2. Stay humble.  Egos are only as big as front door and should be left outside the house.  Cockiness is a firefighter killer and there is no room for it in the firehouse or on the fire ground.  

3. Show respect.  The words “please”, “thank you” and addressing chief and company officers as such goes a long way to a long respective career (volunteer or paid).  Showing signs of professionalism at all times is a key to success that will leave a lasting impression on the guys you are working with and will ultimately earn you a level of respect. Remember, treat others how you yourself would want to be treated. 

4. Strive for excellence.  Have a “can do” attitude.  Come in each and every day with the attitude of a winner, show initiative, work hard and dedication and you may impress even the most experienced member of your department.  Excellence is a habit. Not a goal.

5.  Know your crew members.  Getting to know the men and women you serve with is a great way to build a working relationship and develop teamwork.  Do this through simple conversation, training and on scene teamwork. But remember, what you do on the fire ground will positively or negatively impact your crew and you won’t be judged individually but as a whole.  We are a TEAM in and out the firehouse.       

6. Know your PPE.  You were given the PPE for a reason and shown in the academy how to wear it properly, again for a reason.  This isn’t a fashion show and no one cares how silly you look as long as you come home safe and in one piece.  We aren’t indestructible.

7. Know your apparatus.  The better you know your apparatus, the better you know your skills and know what’s expected of you when assignments are given. 

8.  Educate yourself.  Training and education doesn’t end the day you’re certified through the state as a firefighter.  Firefighting, like anything else takes years of dedication to be proficient at.  Training doesn’t come just inside the firehouse with your crew.  Self-studying, training and continuous education is the key to staying mentally sharp and promotes growth. 

9.  Complacency Kills.  No two fires or alarms are the same and SHOULD NOT be treated as such.  Always strive for more and never stop wanting to be better than you were yesterday.

10. Look to the future.  Sooner than later the term will go from “rookie” or “probie” or even “FNG” (we can all fill in the blanks on that one) and will become experienced firefighters and for some of us, even have a company officers rank but don’t ever forget how you got there.  Always remember you were once the “new guy on the block” and how hard work, discipline and dedication got you to where you are today.  Share the experiences and knowledge with the new generations as they come on because one day those boots you grew into will be passed on to the next.  The best way to leave your mark is quoted by the Dalai Lama “Share your knowledge.  It’s the best way to achieve immorality”. 

Speaking from experience, this is a very long and daunting task that takes years of dedication to accomplish and I challenge all firefighters to take these words, step up and complete the lifelong challenge.  

Until next time; work hard, stay safe and live inspired. 

About the Author

NICHOLAS J. HIGGINS is a firefighter with 14 years of service all within departments in Piscataway, NJ. Nick has held the ranks of Lieutenant and Captain as well as being a township elected District Fire Commissioner for 1 term (3 years) in Piscataway, NJ. He is also a NJ State certified level 2 fire instructor. He holds a B.S. in Accounting from Kean University working in Corporate Taxation and is the founder/contributor of the Firehouse Tribune website.