fire-department-cornerstone-leadership

The “Fire Department Cornerstone Leadership” workshop led by Lieutenant Mike Mason (Downers Grove (IL) Fire Department) on Tuesday offered a look into the world of leadership for fire department firefighters, company officers, captains, and chiefs and provided insights on leading firefighters on and off the fireground. The presentation offered an in-depth look into managing and leading on and off the battlefield from the philosophies and actions of those who have been there within the military as well as the fire service. Mason offered wisdom from prominent leaders in the military such as Col. David Hackworth, Lt. Gen. Hal Moore, General Colin Powell, and others.

Mason said the key to motivating firefighters is through compassion, trust, a sense of duty, courage, and commitment while keeping them safe on and off the fireground.

“Leadership starts with you, no matter what the rank,” Mason said. Spirited leadership is leading from the heart, with a genuine concern with your members’ safety and well- being. It’s not transactional leadership (i.e., this for that), nor is it coercive leadership that operates based on intimidation.

A spirited leader is worthy of trust, and you must be able to trust your leader in all situations. “If we can’t trust someone at the firehouse, we can’t trust them on the fireground.”

The safety of his personnel is paramount for a spirited leader, according to Mason. “He would never follow an order that would put his members in harm’s way. A leader who is not safe is a traitor to his men.” He will challenge those who need to be challenged about personnel safety.

Leaders must remember that there is no three-strikes-and-you’re-out rule in life or on the fireground, said Mason. “There’s always one more thing you can do to influence the situation in your favor.” A true leader is persistent in looking for that one thing.

For the sake of his troops, a leader, no matter what the situation, nevertheless must maintain his composure, and not betray any lack thereof by his tone of voice or facial expression. “Would you follow someone who loses his composure at the firehouse into the fireground?”

Mason also addresses the key issues regarding fire departments and their chief officer’s recognition and understanding of the true cornerstone of the fire service, the company officers. They are the make-or-break figures in the attaining of fire department goals, following operating guidelines, and maintaining their communities’ perception of their protectors. The presentation outlined the decision making processes of fireground company officers, battalion chiefs, and chiefs regarding tactical and strategic applications in offensive firefighting and the protection of their crews from the first in to the last out. Mason also reviewed the critical thinking and decisions making characteristics of leadership needed in high stress dynamic environments. Other areas he discussed included mentoring and training, which he tied into motivation and the desire to succeed and prevail under stress.

Lieutenant Mike Mason is a 28-year veteran of the fire service He is a senior staff instructor as well as the director and founder of the not-for-profit RICOFIRERESCUE INC.