11/15/2025
We LOVE to see phenomenal leadership perspectives like this… it’s absolutely tragic that ours lacks this so severely, it appears to be a dying bread these days.
I’ve been a Battalion Chief for a year and some change now. So, what have I learned so far? Here goes:
Let company officers be company officers. You are not there to run their stations. You’re there to help them form their teams and work through team dynamics if needed, but you’re not the captain anymore.
Set expectations! I’ve always believed in setting expectations at every level that I’ve been at as an officer and now Chief. Not only does it let people know where you’re coming from, but allows them to understand what you value, and to understand commanders intent. Having all of this, it will empower them to make their own decisions. 

Ask for input. I don’t know it all and I screw things up all the time. Not sure how a policy will impact them, ask them about it. Not sure how this decision will affect the battalion, ask them about it. It’s OK to ask for help and take the poll of your battalion. It doesn’t show weakness, it shows you listen and you care.
Share information. In fact, overshare information. Share as much as you possibly can. Share what you hear in staff meetings, share information around the kitchen table. If the rumor mill is getting out of control, this is a completely normal thing. Just understand that it’s people trying to make sense of things and that is your opportunity to provide them the right information and provide clarity.
Don’t like a policy or procedure that just came out? That’s OK, don’t BS people. It’s OK to not like every single policy in your organization. You do, however, have to be good at explaining why we have it and why we need to follow it. Now, If it’s something that’s hard to explain or justify by multiple people at your level, it might just be a bad policy or procedure. 
Don’t jump to conclusions or be quick to assume. Firefighters and Company officers deal with situations in real time. Whether it’s a personnel problem taking place in a firehouse or a conflict between a firefighter and a member of the public, they are the ones dealing with the emotion, the anger, and the frustration. By the time you find out, it’s usually when everything is calming down and you probably find out in the form of a letter. Dont forget that when it’s time to take corrective action if necessary.
It’s easy to get complacent. You get your nice little office, maybe a bigger bedroom, nice big locker, etc.. You aren’t in your gear as much, maybe you haven’t worn that SCBA in a while, the list goes on and on.  Don’t allow yourself to get too comfortable. Your people will see it.
Give them breathing room. Let firefighters be firefighters. Let them pop their relief valves by having fun in the firehouse, playing practical jokes, busting on each other, and more. Don’t be the Chief thats constantly up their ass.
Be good at the admin stuff too. Yes, the fire ground is a lot more sexy. I love it too!! Nothing makes me happier than going to a structure fire; however, if you neglect your administrative responsibilities, that wont make you a good chief. Just screw up somebody’s pay once and you’ll find out all about that!
Relationships matter. Take the time to get to know people in your battalion. The chain of command is important, but it’s relationships that will get things done. 
Engage with your crews. Make your rounds and see their faces more than just once every couple of weeks. Participate in training they have arranged and stop in for lunch every now and then.
Get in your gear! If you get to the point where you forgot what it was like to wear an SCBA on your back, you’re headed down a bad path.
Don’t take things too personal. It’s very easy to do. They’re not always mad at you personally. It can feel that way sometimes, but they might just mad at the system. Again, over share information and help them. 
Sometimes….it WILL be your fault. You’re going to make mistakes. Be self aware enough to know you have made them and admit when you’re wrong. It will gain you more respect. (P.S. they will know you’re wrong anyway so just say it.)
Don’t be afraid to say I don’t know. 
Keep your sense of humor. Nobody wants to work for a stick in the mud. Be able to laugh at yourself and allow them to poke fun at you as well. It will keep you humble and it will keep you grounded. 
Lastly, lead from the front. If there’s one thing I hope people say about me, it’s that I will never ask them to do something that I haven’t already done, or I’m willing to do alongside them. Credibility matters!!
I’m still failing and learning every day, but I figured I’d pass this along for now. 
