A Message from President Murray Gordon
Who is a leader in our industry? Is it the brave chief working tirelessly alongside their firefighters in the wake of unimaginable tragedy? Is it a chief who steps down to ensure the fiscal stability of their department? Is it the chief who took the extra time and effort to develop better communication skills? Or is it all of the above?
This year the Washington Fire Chiefs will be exploring Leadership within the conference theme of “Strength in Relationships”. As part of the conference, you will receive the latest challenge coin from the Washington Fire Chiefs, challenging your skills as a leader. The inscription reads:
Leadership:
Proficiency
Action
Relationships
Proficiency:
To lead in any industry you must be proficient at your craft. As firefighters we train endlessly to ensure we master the skills necessary to save lives. It should be no different in our positions as Fire Chiefs. The skills needed to lead are very different from those to follow. We should take the time to grow our communication, motivation and listening skills, just as we spent hours on the fireground practicing. Leadership requires proficiency in Leading as well as Firefighting!
Action:
Proficiency in leadership and firefighting will help you know when to act, and how to act, but courage will help bring strength to your actions. A leader must be able to act; acting with confidence and decisiveness. Wise actions will affect perceptions and reinforce the credibility of your leadership.
Relationships:
The time we take to build relationships can determine the resources and support we may have available in our time of need. Networking, building strong border relationships, and strong internal relationships with labor and elected officials can determine your effectiveness and sphere of influence. To a chief in crisis, these types of relationships can be a lifeline.
At this year’s WFC Conference, take a coin, and take the leadership challenge. Step up and develop your Proficiency, Action and Relationships through the 2014 WFC Conference Agenda, and throughout 2014 as you demonstrate your Proficiency as a Fire Chief.
Haven’t registered for the Washington Fire Chiefs Conference yet?
Click here to register or find out more about this exciting opportunity!