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Firefighting is like combat. We’re
fighting to save lives, control the
incident, and conserve property.
We try to do this as safely and as
efficiently as possible. To
accomplish that, we need a team
that works as one; a team working
toward the same objectives; one
with the knowledge, skills, and
abilities to apply the tactics
needed.

Company officers should prepare
their teams for combat before the
battle begins. They should stress
the basics and ensure that every
firefighter in their team is
comfortable with the operation of
their own personal protective
equipment and the tools and
equipment carried on their
apparatus. Everyone should
understand the potential
strategies that can be utilized on
the fire ground (rescue, exposure
protection, confining the fire,
extinguishing the fire, overhaul,
ventilation, and salvage) and
practice the various tactics to
accomplish them (forcible entry,
hose line deployment, search and
rescue, ventilation). The scene of
an emergency is not the place to
learn or practice a skill; Be
prepared for the unexpected
before the battle begins.

Billy Schmidt is a District Chief
assigned to the 5th Battalion with
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue
(Florida). He's an adjunct
instructor for the department’s
Training and Safety Division and
has a bachelor’s degree in Human
Resource Management and an
associate’s degree in Fire
Science.

New Company Officers:
"10 Things You Need to Do"
The Kitchen Table:

Food for thought about leadership All your preparation, experience and hard
work have paid off, and you've become a company officer. Congratulations!
Now what? Beyond being in charge at emergency scenes, what do you really
need to do now to increase your competence, confidence and credibility in the
new role? Consider the following:

1. Train Assertively and Fearlessly. Just because you're an officer now
doesn't mean you know everything. Quite the contrary. You are in a new role,
even when dealing with familiar situations. Allow yourself to be a beginner
again. Seek out training both individually and as a member of your crew. Use
training as an opportunity to really learn something, not as a way of showing
off. In other words, don't be afraid to make mistakes or admit that you
don't know something.

2. Develop Conflict Resolution Skills. Don't think you are naturally good at
this. Few people are. You will need these skills, and probably sooner than you
think. So prepare yourself. Take classes. Read articles and books on the
subject. Talk through situations with others. Learn how to confront problems
early. Your ability to function as a member and a leader of a team depends
on these skills.
3. Learn About Political Realities. This knowledge applies not only to your own
organization, but also to the governing jurisdiction you serve. What are the
budget constraints currently facing your department? What organizational
pressures do your supervisors and departmental leaders face? What is the
history of relations between your department and other agencies you work
with on a regular basis? A company officer does not exist in a vacuum, but
rather as a part of the greater whole.

4. Know Your Equipment and District Better than Your Crew Does. Okay, if
your driver is a diesel mechanic, or your firefighter is a paramedic and you're
not, maybe there will be some exceptions to this rule. But in general, you
need to maintain the knowledge base you worked hard to develop as a
firefighter regarding equipment on the rig. Don't allow yourself to get
complacent in this area just because you have other new responsibilities that
are putting demands on your time. Make it a habit to pull out some piece of
equipment nearly every shift, just to look at it. As for your district, get out
and see it. Get off the rig and walk around. Knowledge gained from the
experience of being there will be retained much better than what is learned
from studying maps alone.

5. Set Clear Expectations. This applies to the emergency scene, but
especially to the vast majority of the time you spend not responding to calls.
What do you want your firefighter to do first at a car fire? Where should
the driver plan to position the rig at a vehicle accident? When will
housecleaning be done, and who does what? Will firefighters be able to work
out during their shift, and if so, when? What forms of address should people
use, both off and on the emergency scene? What about use of computers and
phones on duty? There will always be exceptions, but setting clear
expectations in a general sense will go a long way to prevent problems and
misunderstandings.

6. Lead By Example. If you sit around in sweats doing e-mail on the computer
for three hours every morning, you're sending a clear message to your crew
about what is acceptable for them as well. Be the firefighter you want to
work with. Be generous with praise and share credit for accomplishments. Be
honest about your own mistakes. Demonstrate appreciation for being part of
the team.

7. Write Carefully. Many firefighters lack confidence and skill in writing.
Just because you are now an officer, you did not magically acquire those
abilities. As an officer, what you write really matters. Get the help you need
to write well and understand the consequences of not attending to this
important skill.

8. Have a Career Plan. It has been said that luck is the result of
opportunity and preparation. So be prepared. Look at the big picture even if
you think now that you will always want to stay right where you are. Make
yourself indispensable in the organization. Try new things. Keep your
certifications current and seek out new ones.

9. Remember Where You Came From. Treat others, and especially your
crew, with respect. Do not try to lead through fear or intimidation. Don't
overreact to mistakes. Be a mentor and look for ways others can mentor you.
Make it a goal to make your crew feel safe, no matter what they are doing.

10. Relax. Enjoy your new role. Anxiety and fear lead to bad decision
making. Know and accept yourself as you are with your own unique strengths
and weaknesses. Work toward continual improvement of yourself and your
team. And never forget to sit back at times, appreciate where you are, and
say "Good job!" to your crew, and to yourself.

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