Texas Fire Chief - Spring/Summer 2008 - (Page 17)

None of us can deny the benefits of service. Whether you are at the giving or receiving end of the act, all involved walk away with a renewed sense of hope. The act of selfless giving of your time and/or resources leaves you with a sense of pure gratification that cannot be bought or earned. This feeling is a gift that is exchanged at the emotional level of human interaction. This emotion is hard to describe but occurs without conscious thought or effort. When I was a young boy, I enjoyed watching westerns on television. What I enjoyed most was to see the good guy come to the rescue and right the injustice. The idea of being the hero with the white hat always appealed to me. Now in the fire service, I find myself wearing the white hat. In poll after poll, we see that the people trust and respect firefighters beyond any other profession. We are the good guys. We wear the white hats. The nation needs to believe in us. What better way to reinforce and validate this trust than to seek out opportunities to serve? The following are a few suggestions on how to create that environment in your department: • Walk the talk. If you are going to share this vision with your department, then you as a chief officer must commit yourself to the cause. Personally seek out opportunities to serve at all levels. This includes your internal and external customers. • Honor and recognize achievements by personnel within your department. The ceremony does not have to be elaborate but must be sincere. If there is one thing a firefighter will sniff out, it is insincerity. • Foster a positive relationship between the fire department and the firefighters association. A joint effort that is based on the common purpose of service provides not only good labor/management relations but also provides a good foundation for negotiations and conflict resolution. Also, working together makes sense largely because working against each other does not. The firefighters association has resources that both financially and organizationally will result in a more comprehensive approach to service. • Share this philosophy with your company officers. Promote opportunities to serve at the point of delivery by sharing your commitment to and vision of a service-based department. Share the benefits of the positive organizational effects that will resonate within the department when the identity of the department is based on a commitment to serve citizens and each other. • Finally, access other service organizations within your community and network for the common good of the people who need your help. This can assist in funding for and awareness of action-based service. There are always needs in your community. Seeking out those in need and providing that service can and will provide benefits both personally and to your department. Are you up to the challenge of service above self? TEXAS FIRE CHIEF Spring/Summer 2008353313_IFSTA.indd 1 17 11/15/07 3:17:13 PM http://www.ifsta.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Texas Fire Chief - Spring/Summer 2008

Texas Fire Chief - Spring/Summer 2008 Contents Executive Director’s Report Region Realignment Map Above and Beyond 2007 Conference Highlights ‘Service Above Self’ Texas Commission Implements Southwest Fire Rescue Conference Program Membership Application Who Are Those Guys? Alarms for the Hearing Impaired Recent Calls Index to Advertisers

Texas Fire Chief - Spring/Summer 2008

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