5. FSTFSR 07-18-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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---- - -c--, "fit ' Firehouses are not unlike every other type of workplace in that their ., "' Si imembers put a premium on being treated well and fairly(Shutlerstock.com) - ti ,, LYN - �ar ry 2 i7 4 'a. _, ' , +3:l 'fi• cN_NE� -P '^.•�i, � +3 >�� $ EN it s =tFE bEPt Organizational : leadershi p . for ;volunteer fire departments - By JODI MAGALLANES that the most common firehouse complaints •The station's organizational vision The Municipal haven't changed much over the last 50 •A mission statement years. Take away the challenge of fighting Is it the physical challenges? The instantaneous, amateur, www. coverage • The station's goals, both professional danger? No. The biggest frustrations and commentary about fire service calls, and internal volunteer firefighters encounter involve and it's the same six issues that have been •Objectives interpersonal relations. chipping away at departments'morale and • Additional policies as demanded by In April, Municipal Fire Protection effectiveness for two generations. unique situations Consultant Harry Carter polled several As a former career, military and dozen volunteer firefighters from around volunteer firefighter, Carter has seen "Lead them there," Carter said. "But, the country who gathered in Indianapolis problematic situations of those ilks, and remember that Moses didn't go into the for FDIC. During a leadership seminar for others — including the "do it all" type of Promised Land. But you can create a volunteer departments, the fire officers leader who ultimately gets overwhelmed framework that ensures stability for the shared their top irritations,which were: and winds up leaving things undone; and future." • Lack of people what he called the "closed club crew,"that He suggests p p ggests establishing a vision makes sure anyone who's not like them of the station's identity and what its staff • Laziness doesn't feel comfortable on the job. perceives its role to be — as well as • Low pay Like most organizations, volunteer fire what the leadership wants it to become. • Inexperienced officers departments find success in consistency. Focus groups can contribute to a • Dumb people A written definition of the organization's comprehensiveness and durability of that mission and of the role of management vision and give firefighters ownership of •Harassment is the place to start, because an effective the vision, if they're composed of a cross- •Social media organization manages expectations from section of members and not a group the top down.The checklist of policies that of buddies. The mission statement, he After listening and agreeing with all of should be included in a station's personnel continued, should explicitly and concisely them, he gave a not-so-startling judgment: manual are: re-state the station's reason for 26 • THE MUNICIPAL • JULY 2012 •