jdacbfd@aol.com
John is the Assistant Fire Chief with the City of Brookfield Fire Department, located at 2100 N. Calhoun Road, Brookfield , WI 53005. His office telephone number is 414-782-8932.
Since first entering the fire service in 1976, John's goal was to achieve, through systematic planning, a chief officer position which would allow him to function as a more effective change agent. As he progressed up through the ranks, he was able to introduce his personnel to effective leadership/management styles, use delegation processes, promote accountability, foster effective supervisory practices, and help other personnel in achieving their career goals. John holds a BS in Fire Science Management from Southern Illinois University, is a graduate of the NFA Executive Fire Officer Program, and a graduate of the U.W. Madison Certified Public Manager Program.
My philosophy is simple. Share your vision, involve others and allow them to do their best. Plan and prepare for the future through continual improvement, seek opportunities and challenges that will develop and refine needed skills.
At the time of her award, Elizabeth was the Public Education Officer and EMS Trainer with the Pacific Grove Fire Department in California, responsible for public education, EMS training, and drill coordination. In addition to these duties, Elizabeth was a company officer part time and on call for the Carmel Highlands Fire District where she also taught EMS for volunteer drills and maintained all personnel in defibrillator proficiency. It was through her direct involvement that the District purchased a semi-automatic defibrillator in 1994, and that the personnel became committed to advance their training in its use. Elizabeth holds an AA in Fire Science, a BS in Political Science, and at the time of her award was completing her BS in Fire Administration while entering her master's program in Public Administration at Golden Gate University.
Leadership is a critical skill for today's fire service professional. I have experienced many forms of leadership because the fire service offers much variety: from the progressive, personal motivation type leader to the older "let's not get excited until we see the whole picture" practical type leader. It is my personal goal to continue to incorporate, from these examples, the best of all that I have admired and to create my own view with a genuine concern for individuals and a commitment to solid management techniques. We must all do our part. Each of us committing to our own educated vision of leadership will naturally raise the standard of the organization as a whole and by extension raise the standard of the fire service profession.
Lance began his career as a fire fighter in 1973 and worked his way up the ranks in the Syracuse Fire Department. As District Chief at the time of his award, Lance developed an effective and reliable information management system that placed "all relative information at the command of those individuals who need it, when then need it, in a readily useable form." At that time, Lance was also preparing his Masters Thesis at Syracuse University Maxwell School, which included a critical analysis of FEMA from an organizational and leadership perspective.
An effective leader is a strong role model for his or her subordinates. He or she must possess specific skills; a comprehensive knowledge of the field is essential, but not sufficient. The effective leader must have the ability to inspire a shared vision of purpose, provide an environment which enables others to act effectively, demonstrate to others that their commitment can and does make a difference, and provide the emotional rewards that promote commitment and dedication. Finally, I sincerely believe that anyone who would be a skilled leader must first recognize his or her own limitations and be prepared to be an equally skilled follower.
Bernie is a Deputy Fire Chief with the Philadelphia Fire Department, located at 240 Spring Garden St., Philadelphia, PA 19123. His telephone number at work is 215-686-1367.
Bernie has been described as a well-rounded, seasoned professional fire officer, serving as a staff chief in the Research and Planning Unit, as Philadelphia's Deputy Fire Marshal, and at the time of his award, Deputy Chief in charge of Communications, Management Information and the computer-assisted dispatch project. Bernie was actively involved in writing the Philadelphia Incident Command System. He holds an AAS in Fire Science with the Community College of Philadelphia, a BS in Marketing with St. Joseph's College, and at the time of his award was completing his Master's in Public Safety.
I have a simple philosophy of leadership: treat everybody as I would like to be treated, listen to your people, set the example, let subordinates make decisions, but be ready and willing to make the hard decisions. I don't know everything nor is my way the best way all the time, so I make sure I listen to someone else's ideas and suggestions. On the same token, I do realize that I have 19 years of experience in line and staff units so I may know a better way. However, it's important that I present this to my subordinates in a fashion that does not denigrate their confidence or enthusiasm. I encourage new ideas, I try to challenge people and I think they respond accordingly.
David was 24 years old when he was awarded the YLD Scholarship. At this time he held an AAS in Fire Protection Technology and a BS in Technical Education from the University of Akron, Ohio, and had held several academic positions, including a full-time teaching position with the Illinois Fire Service Institute. As an Assistant Training Officer with the Savoy (OH) Fire Department, David not only was responsible for the Breathing Apparatus Specialists School and Structural Weekend Classes, but also held line and staff functions with management and emergency response. He also volunteered as an advisor to a Scout Explorer Group.
I believe in setting the example for the others to follow and try to emulate and surpass. I believe that a leader should work with others in all aspects of the job. One has to fully understand what the job is, what the limitations are so his or her expectations are not so high that the goal is unreachable. I do however, expect the most. If I can strive to be the best and the people around me see that I practice as I preach, a positive atmosphere is created. I look after the ones who work for me because they get the job done and can make all the difference in the world.
Mike is a Lieutenant and Training Instructor with the St. Lucie County (Florida) Fire District, located at 2400 Rhode Island Avenue, Fort Pierce, Florida 34948. His telephone number at work is 561-462-2311.
In addition to his duties to provide fire and EMS training for the department, Mike has been the Lead Instructor for the Indian River Community College Fire Science Program since 1984. He has an AS in Fire Science and AA in Business Management with the Indian River Community College, and at the time of his award was completing a BA in Organizational Management at Warner Southern College.
Management begins with communication. Developing effective communication skills is my primary concern. The ability to motivate people toward goals achievement, the ability and knowledge to earn the trust of others, having foresight and vision toward the future, leading by example, fairness, tolerance and strong ethics in business and in my personal life are qualities that I strive to keep developing in order to have an impact on the the most important resource at our department, our personnel. In aiding their development, anything is possible for our department, our community, the personnel, my family, and me. Everyone wins.
Todd is a fire fighter with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, located at 4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030. His telephone number at work is 703-246-2126.
At the time of his award, Todd was a member of the Berwyn Heights Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, where he achieved the rank of lieutenant in only two years. As a member of the department's successful "resident program" for college students, Todd carried a demanding scholastic workload as he worked toward completing his BS in Fire Science at the University of Maryland University College. He was involved in training classes and received numerous emergency response awards.
Being a leader is a very difficult role to fill in the fire service. A leader must encompass a wide range of knowledge in fire safety operations, as well as in human and public relations. Because a leader has such a great responsibility in the fire department, I believe a good leader should never stop learning. It is also my philosophy that an operation works best when the people in the organization feel that their work is needed and appreciated.
Jeffrey is the Chief Fire Marshal with the Kansas City Missouri Fire Department, located at City Hall, 414 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106. His office telephone number is 816-274-2120.
Jeff began his career as a firefighter with the Kansas City Fire Department in 1986. Within 10 years he progressed through the ranks to became the Chief Fire Marshal, directly responsible for a budget of nearly 1 million dollars and the supervision of 13 fire inspectors, four fire investigators and one assistant fire marshal. Jeff holds an associate's degree in fire science with the Pennsylvania Valley Community College, and is currently pursuing bachelor's degrees in public administration and social psychology.
The true definition of a great leader is that he never has to tell his or her organization that he or she is the leader. In other words, a leader is one that is respected by their organization for not only their knowledge and achievements in the fire service, but for their personality as well. My current supervisor (Rick Brisbin) once told me that a great leader never has to lead, only to steer. So to explain my definition of leadership, a leader is a person who stands in support of his organization, always providing growth opportunities for employees. I believe that instinctively people strive for more responsibility and will seek it out. I believe a leader needs to know when to be visible and when to stand behind his or her staff. The two most important traits of a leader are to provide a good example for people to follow, and to build avenues of professional achievement for their employees.
Tori is now a graduate student at Colorado State University.
At the time of her award, Tori was a Paramedic/Captain with the City of Littleton Fire Department in Colorado. She joined the department in 1984 as a Fire Cadet, and worked her way up the ranks to her promotion to Captain in 1995, making her the first female officer in her department. Tori also served as lead instructor at the South Metro Fire Training Academy, was an activist for physical fitness, and served on numerous department committees. A the time of her award, Tori was completing a BA at the University of Colorado.
Leadership, in my opinion, is a service that encourages employees to succeed in their career, to gain confidence at job tasks, and achieve future career goals. Fundamental to the leadership equation is an individual who thoroughly understands him or herself. Good leaders place the needs of their employees first. By placing employees first, a good leader can create a safe, efficient, and professional work environment.
Learn about other YLD Scholarship Award Recipients!
If you have any questions about the application process or award criteria, please contact Mike Hildebrand at yld@chesapeake.net