firemoose827

Well, I would never take advantage of you guys, I would wine and dine you first at least...
I do have a large support group here, bigger than in my own department which makes me feel better and I appreciate all of the support and advice from you all.
Thank you!!

Well, I would never take advantage of you guys, I would wine and dine you first at least...
I do have a large support group here, bigger than in my own department which makes me feel better and I appreciate all of the support and advice from you all.
Thank you!!

Well, I would never take advantage of you guys, I would wine and dine you first at least...
I do have a large support group here, bigger than in my own department which makes me feel better and I appreciate all of the support and advice from you all.
Thank you!!

Well, its official. Last night I was voted into the position of First Assistant Chief...but it doesnt feel right to me still. I didnt want to be the one to "fill the vacancy" because no one else was qualified...
It feels as if the new chief does not respect me as a firefighter or officer.
Last night at our regular officers meeting before the elections I brought up stuff about air quality monitoring for fireground operations, and our communities ISO rating and he looked at me like I was a retard...
But, I guess I have a year to make some changes and work to improve the department and at least start to catch us up to the rest of the world. We'll see how far I can get and how much support I will have.
Anyone have a used red dash light for sale cheap or they want to get rid of? The only thing they have to lend is a huge bar light removed from an old utility truck that would stick out either side of my car by a foot and I dont want to look like the rest of the wackers in my county!

Well, its official. Last night I was voted into the position of First Assistant Chief...but it doesnt feel right to me still. I didnt want to be the one to "fill the vacancy" because no one else was qualified...
It feels as if the new chief does not respect me as a firefighter or officer.
Last night at our regular officers meeting before the elections I brought up stuff about air quality monitoring for fireground operations, and our communities ISO rating and he looked at me like I was a retard...
But, I guess I have a year to make some changes and work to improve the department and at least start to catch us up to the rest of the world. We'll see how far I can get and how much support I will have.
Anyone have a used red dash light for sale cheap or they want to get rid of? The only thing they have to lend is a huge bar light removed from an old utility truck that would stick out either side of my car by a foot and I dont want to look like the rest of the wackers in my county!

Well, its official. Last night I was voted into the position of First Assistant Chief...but it doesnt feel right to me still. I didnt want to be the one to "fill the vacancy" because no one else was qualified...
It feels as if the new chief does not respect me as a firefighter or officer.
Last night at our regular officers meeting before the elections I brought up stuff about air quality monitoring for fireground operations, and our communities ISO rating and he looked at me like I was a retard...
But, I guess I have a year to make some changes and work to improve the department and at least start to catch us up to the rest of the world. We'll see how far I can get and how much support I will have.
Anyone have a used red dash light for sale cheap or they want to get rid of? The only thing they have to lend is a huge bar light removed from an old utility truck that would stick out either side of my car by a foot and I dont want to look like the rest of the wackers in my county!

Well, its official. Last night I was voted into the position of First Assistant Chief...but it doesnt feel right to me still. I didnt want to be the one to "fill the vacancy" because no one else was qualified...
It feels as if the new chief does not respect me as a firefighter or officer.
Last night at our regular officers meeting before the elections I brought up stuff about air quality monitoring for fireground operations, and our communities ISO rating and he looked at me like I was a retard...
But, I guess I have a year to make some changes and work to improve the department and at least start to catch us up to the rest of the world. We'll see how far I can get and how much support I will have.
Anyone have a used red dash light for sale cheap or they want to get rid of? The only thing they have to lend is a huge bar light removed from an old utility truck that would stick out either side of my car by a foot and I dont want to look like the rest of the wackers in my county!

Well, its official. Last night I was voted into the position of First Assistant Chief...but it doesnt feel right to me still. I didnt want to be the one to "fill the vacancy" because no one else was qualified...
It feels as if the new chief does not respect me as a firefighter or officer.
Last night at our regular officers meeting before the elections I brought up stuff about air quality monitoring for fireground operations, and our communities ISO rating and he looked at me like I was a retard...
But, I guess I have a year to make some changes and work to improve the department and at least start to catch us up to the rest of the world. We'll see how far I can get and how much support I will have.
Anyone have a used red dash light for sale cheap or they want to get rid of? The only thing they have to lend is a huge bar light removed from an old utility truck that would stick out either side of my car by a foot and I dont want to look like the rest of the wackers in my county!

Well, its official. Last night I was voted into the position of First Assistant Chief...but it doesnt feel right to me still. I didnt want to be the one to "fill the vacancy" because no one else was qualified...
It feels as if the new chief does not respect me as a firefighter or officer.
Last night at our regular officers meeting before the elections I brought up stuff about air quality monitoring for fireground operations, and our communities ISO rating and he looked at me like I was a retard...
But, I guess I have a year to make some changes and work to improve the department and at least start to catch us up to the rest of the world. We'll see how far I can get and how much support I will have.
Anyone have a used red dash light for sale cheap or they want to get rid of? The only thing they have to lend is a huge bar light removed from an old utility truck that would stick out either side of my car by a foot and I dont want to look like the rest of the wackers in my county!

As much a I hate to admit it this is true. EMS is treated like a second class citizen in the FDNY but it is still better then when we were under HHC ( based on what I've been told). There are some old timers who swear up and down on HHC but the majority say it's better under FDNY. We've gotten better pay/ benefits, as well as a much better budget for EMS. The ambulances used to be barebones you were lucky to be part 800. Now most of our buses are overstocked and the stations have plenty of extra to restock. However as I mentioned you are a second class citizen. Many people get frustrated that when EMS does something they refer to you as " FDNY members " or " Firefighters" and very rarely mention EMS. Also the changing our of supervisors mentality has changed drastically in even the 4 years I've been there. I wish our bosses were like the bosses for the Firefighters, but ours would rather write charge packets, for the same thing they were doing a year ago before they got their bar. This is where the whole Sandy thing comes into play. Unlike what the Commissioner says units were ordered to stay at their cross street locations ( not in shelter) during the storm, and station supervisors were ordered to stay in quarters until the water was so many many people lost their cars because it was too late to evacuate. Had these same Chiefs been out in the field ( there is usually only 1 to 2 EMS chiefs on at night and they're basically ghosts who only appear when something big happens) they would have seen how fast the conditions deteriorated and how much danger the crews were in. Putting the crews in danger jeopardized the citizen's we are here to protect because we became focused on trying to save each other and therefore took longer to respond to emergencies. Many member unnecessarily lost possessions and their vehicles because of the lack of preplanning and the lack of orders issued. This is a job to be proud of, and a honorable job where people look up to you. However I believe it is unacceptable to sit back and simply take abuse which can endanger you, this isn't a rant by someone who is burnt out, this is a rant by someone who loves his job however wish it was managed much much differently.

No F'ing way!?!(Sorry nothing else seemed to say what was needed!) Anyone who'd do that outside of a joke would be in the drink at best... That kind of abuse of personnel is not wholly admin's fault, stuff has had to have been let slide far too much for anyone to think that could be remotely OK. We have a great Union/Admin relationship and I'm certain our people would have tripped on a "manhole".

Yes, our current order is Chief, 1st a**, 2nd a**, 1st Capt, 2nd Capt, 1st Lt, 2nd Lt...and no, the "assistant" abbreviation is no typo, some of them have been like...donkeys...so to speak.
And yes, for a small department we have WAY too many officers positions. We can barely get people to respond to calls and they keep 7 officers...I wanted to change that too and only have the 3 chiefs and a captain.
I am willing to take the position, but this was not the way I wanted it to go down, I was kind of hoping to have someone nominate me because they felt I was worthy and experienced enough, and not because I am the only one qualified...kind of takes the pride out of it. Like one of my old departments, I found out they picked the recipient of the "Firefighter of the Year" award based on if they ever got it before or not...not because of what they accomplished during the year or if they did anything above and beyond.
I dont know of anything being done illegal or dangerous, the only reason I asked was because of the officers just leaving all of a sudden like that...that concerns me especially since they were both gung ho and die hard firefighters, living and breathing the firehouse everyday of their lives with family that supported them 100%, and now they just up and leave? With no warning or reason?
I decided, based on your advice (all of you) that I am going to accept the position and work to change things for the better. You can all count on a lot of these posts from me in the next year as I look for advice and guidance from my peers and senior firefighters! I hope you dont get sick of me.
Thank you all for the advice, and the personal messages I received from a couple of you, I will return them as well.
The current Chief (ex-chief just quit) was actually kind of forced into the spot herself 8 years ago, when there was no one that wanted the position or had the time to devote to it they made her assistant for the required year, then chief. She has been chief ever since and has done a fine job of it. She is a great firefghter and I have taken quite a few classes with her. Which is whats so puzzling about her sudden resignation...she even turned down exempt status and a leave of absence option...just quit everything. THATS what bothers me.
But, I will take it and do my best to make changes and bring the department up to par with the rest of the departments and State Standards. The toughest thing to handle now will be the change of going from interior operations to standing outside at the CP with a radio and white hat, trying to get over that will be hard, but maybe I can still slip past the chief and go inside with the crew every now and then...LOL. I will keep my black helmet in the car so no one will see me...
Thanks again to all of you, if you have any more advice please let me have it!
Moose

Yes, our current order is Chief, 1st a**, 2nd a**, 1st Capt, 2nd Capt, 1st Lt, 2nd Lt...and no, the "assistant" abbreviation is no typo, some of them have been like...donkeys...so to speak.
And yes, for a small department we have WAY too many officers positions. We can barely get people to respond to calls and they keep 7 officers...I wanted to change that too and only have the 3 chiefs and a captain.
I am willing to take the position, but this was not the way I wanted it to go down, I was kind of hoping to have someone nominate me because they felt I was worthy and experienced enough, and not because I am the only one qualified...kind of takes the pride out of it. Like one of my old departments, I found out they picked the recipient of the "Firefighter of the Year" award based on if they ever got it before or not...not because of what they accomplished during the year or if they did anything above and beyond.
I dont know of anything being done illegal or dangerous, the only reason I asked was because of the officers just leaving all of a sudden like that...that concerns me especially since they were both gung ho and die hard firefighters, living and breathing the firehouse everyday of their lives with family that supported them 100%, and now they just up and leave? With no warning or reason?
I decided, based on your advice (all of you) that I am going to accept the position and work to change things for the better. You can all count on a lot of these posts from me in the next year as I look for advice and guidance from my peers and senior firefighters! I hope you dont get sick of me.
Thank you all for the advice, and the personal messages I received from a couple of you, I will return them as well.
The current Chief (ex-chief just quit) was actually kind of forced into the spot herself 8 years ago, when there was no one that wanted the position or had the time to devote to it they made her assistant for the required year, then chief. She has been chief ever since and has done a fine job of it. She is a great firefghter and I have taken quite a few classes with her. Which is whats so puzzling about her sudden resignation...she even turned down exempt status and a leave of absence option...just quit everything. THATS what bothers me.
But, I will take it and do my best to make changes and bring the department up to par with the rest of the departments and State Standards. The toughest thing to handle now will be the change of going from interior operations to standing outside at the CP with a radio and white hat, trying to get over that will be hard, but maybe I can still slip past the chief and go inside with the crew every now and then...LOL. I will keep my black helmet in the car so no one will see me...
Thanks again to all of you, if you have any more advice please let me have it!
Moose

Yes, our current order is Chief, 1st a**, 2nd a**, 1st Capt, 2nd Capt, 1st Lt, 2nd Lt...and no, the "assistant" abbreviation is no typo, some of them have been like...donkeys...so to speak.
And yes, for a small department we have WAY too many officers positions. We can barely get people to respond to calls and they keep 7 officers...I wanted to change that too and only have the 3 chiefs and a captain.
I am willing to take the position, but this was not the way I wanted it to go down, I was kind of hoping to have someone nominate me because they felt I was worthy and experienced enough, and not because I am the only one qualified...kind of takes the pride out of it. Like one of my old departments, I found out they picked the recipient of the "Firefighter of the Year" award based on if they ever got it before or not...not because of what they accomplished during the year or if they did anything above and beyond.
I dont know of anything being done illegal or dangerous, the only reason I asked was because of the officers just leaving all of a sudden like that...that concerns me especially since they were both gung ho and die hard firefighters, living and breathing the firehouse everyday of their lives with family that supported them 100%, and now they just up and leave? With no warning or reason?
I decided, based on your advice (all of you) that I am going to accept the position and work to change things for the better. You can all count on a lot of these posts from me in the next year as I look for advice and guidance from my peers and senior firefighters! I hope you dont get sick of me.
Thank you all for the advice, and the personal messages I received from a couple of you, I will return them as well.
The current Chief (ex-chief just quit) was actually kind of forced into the spot herself 8 years ago, when there was no one that wanted the position or had the time to devote to it they made her assistant for the required year, then chief. She has been chief ever since and has done a fine job of it. She is a great firefghter and I have taken quite a few classes with her. Which is whats so puzzling about her sudden resignation...she even turned down exempt status and a leave of absence option...just quit everything. THATS what bothers me.
But, I will take it and do my best to make changes and bring the department up to par with the rest of the departments and State Standards. The toughest thing to handle now will be the change of going from interior operations to standing outside at the CP with a radio and white hat, trying to get over that will be hard, but maybe I can still slip past the chief and go inside with the crew every now and then...LOL. I will keep my black helmet in the car so no one will see me...
Thanks again to all of you, if you have any more advice please let me have it!
Moose

Yes, our current order is Chief, 1st a**, 2nd a**, 1st Capt, 2nd Capt, 1st Lt, 2nd Lt...and no, the "assistant" abbreviation is no typo, some of them have been like...donkeys...so to speak.
And yes, for a small department we have WAY too many officers positions. We can barely get people to respond to calls and they keep 7 officers...I wanted to change that too and only have the 3 chiefs and a captain.
I am willing to take the position, but this was not the way I wanted it to go down, I was kind of hoping to have someone nominate me because they felt I was worthy and experienced enough, and not because I am the only one qualified...kind of takes the pride out of it. Like one of my old departments, I found out they picked the recipient of the "Firefighter of the Year" award based on if they ever got it before or not...not because of what they accomplished during the year or if they did anything above and beyond.
I dont know of anything being done illegal or dangerous, the only reason I asked was because of the officers just leaving all of a sudden like that...that concerns me especially since they were both gung ho and die hard firefighters, living and breathing the firehouse everyday of their lives with family that supported them 100%, and now they just up and leave? With no warning or reason?
I decided, based on your advice (all of you) that I am going to accept the position and work to change things for the better. You can all count on a lot of these posts from me in the next year as I look for advice and guidance from my peers and senior firefighters! I hope you dont get sick of me.
Thank you all for the advice, and the personal messages I received from a couple of you, I will return them as well.
The current Chief (ex-chief just quit) was actually kind of forced into the spot herself 8 years ago, when there was no one that wanted the position or had the time to devote to it they made her assistant for the required year, then chief. She has been chief ever since and has done a fine job of it. She is a great firefghter and I have taken quite a few classes with her. Which is whats so puzzling about her sudden resignation...she even turned down exempt status and a leave of absence option...just quit everything. THATS what bothers me.
But, I will take it and do my best to make changes and bring the department up to par with the rest of the departments and State Standards. The toughest thing to handle now will be the change of going from interior operations to standing outside at the CP with a radio and white hat, trying to get over that will be hard, but maybe I can still slip past the chief and go inside with the crew every now and then...LOL. I will keep my black helmet in the car so no one will see me...
Thanks again to all of you, if you have any more advice please let me have it!
Moose

Every department has its own issues, EVERY department, paid or volunteer the issues exist. My advice to you, after having being in your shoes one point or another, is to run, take the position, and do what you can possibly do with it. Put your heart into what you do, train, take many classes and try to the best of your ability fix the current and your past issues. Treat people with repect and you WILL get repsect in return. Adress the problems at hand and try to repair them, your membership will be thankful...eventually. If you take heat, take it, use it as a learning tool while resolving what ver the issue at hand is.
Talk to other department heads, ask for help, guidance and you will come up with a solution. Make deciscions, make then as wise as you can and when you make a poor one, own up to it. Do not look for a scape goat, only you can admit to the unadmitable. Work with everyone, as a team, socialize as a team, do things together as a family. I am not telling you to go to someones home, that you wouldnt normally go to, but when you guys do something social, include who ever you can. Make the people that have "issues" feel included. Asking for outside help makes you a better person, doesnt make you unknowledgeable, makes you wise to realize you need additional help.
Good Luck!

I was wondering if I could please ask all of you to help me out and maybe guide me in the right direction with something that I am a little worried about in my department. Advice and pointers are welcome, but slaps in the head and talking me out of it is ok as well.
In last months meeting (our nominations) we had a few things happen; our chief of the past 6 years suddenly up and quit the entire department, and the only explanation was she was having multiple family issues she needed to deal with. Secondly; Our current 2nd assistant chief (past chief of a neighboring dept with over 30 years experience) dropped out of running from anything, stating he is tired of the issues we face as a dept and he only wants to be fire police. Leaving us with only 2 people qualified to be a chief officer; our current 1st assistant, and myself currently serving as 1st Captain.
They nominated me as 1st assistant chief. (not what I wanted, but the dept has no one else so I am running, unopposed as of last months meeting, but we still accept nominations before we vote in December)
My question/concern is this; should I be worried that 2 officers are jumping ship and not telling me much of anything? Our department is small, with 23 active members, 9 interior qualified firefighters with Firefighter I or higher, and an average of 150 calls a year. I do not want to take office as a chief officer and find out 2 months later OSHA is coming in for a spot inspection or something due to a unanimous complaint called in from an un-identified member of our community...
Whats the worst that can happen to me as a newly appointed chief officer who just transferred to this department 3 years ago? Should I decline the position or run for it? If you say to run, does anyone have some advice or tips for a new chief officer based on your experiences? Besides the two years experience as Junior Fire Department Lieutenant and Captain, I have served one year as Lt and 2 as Captain in the fire service and have 23 years experience serving my 4th department.
Im just concerned about the circumstances that brought me to this and if I should be worried or not. Im ready to be assistant chief and willing to learn everything I can, but I do not want there to be some underlying problem that coule side swipe me and ruin any chances at being chief officer again. Am I paranoid or do I have a justifiable reason to worry???
Im hoping all of the salty dog ex-chiefs and current chiefs chime in on this one and give me some well respected advice, I want to do this but I want to do it right being I might only have one chance to do it.
Thanks in advance.
Moose

I was wondering if I could please ask all of you to help me out and maybe guide me in the right direction with something that I am a little worried about in my department. Advice and pointers are welcome, but slaps in the head and talking me out of it is ok as well.
In last months meeting (our nominations) we had a few things happen; our chief of the past 6 years suddenly up and quit the entire department, and the only explanation was she was having multiple family issues she needed to deal with. Secondly; Our current 2nd assistant chief (past chief of a neighboring dept with over 30 years experience) dropped out of running from anything, stating he is tired of the issues we face as a dept and he only wants to be fire police. Leaving us with only 2 people qualified to be a chief officer; our current 1st assistant, and myself currently serving as 1st Captain.
They nominated me as 1st assistant chief. (not what I wanted, but the dept has no one else so I am running, unopposed as of last months meeting, but we still accept nominations before we vote in December)
My question/concern is this; should I be worried that 2 officers are jumping ship and not telling me much of anything? Our department is small, with 23 active members, 9 interior qualified firefighters with Firefighter I or higher, and an average of 150 calls a year. I do not want to take office as a chief officer and find out 2 months later OSHA is coming in for a spot inspection or something due to a unanimous complaint called in from an un-identified member of our community...
Whats the worst that can happen to me as a newly appointed chief officer who just transferred to this department 3 years ago? Should I decline the position or run for it? If you say to run, does anyone have some advice or tips for a new chief officer based on your experiences? Besides the two years experience as Junior Fire Department Lieutenant and Captain, I have served one year as Lt and 2 as Captain in the fire service and have 23 years experience serving my 4th department.
Im just concerned about the circumstances that brought me to this and if I should be worried or not. Im ready to be assistant chief and willing to learn everything I can, but I do not want there to be some underlying problem that coule side swipe me and ruin any chances at being chief officer again. Am I paranoid or do I have a justifiable reason to worry???
Im hoping all of the salty dog ex-chiefs and current chiefs chime in on this one and give me some well respected advice, I want to do this but I want to do it right being I might only have one chance to do it.
Thanks in advance.
Moose

I was wondering if I could please ask all of you to help me out and maybe guide me in the right direction with something that I am a little worried about in my department. Advice and pointers are welcome, but slaps in the head and talking me out of it is ok as well.
In last months meeting (our nominations) we had a few things happen; our chief of the past 6 years suddenly up and quit the entire department, and the only explanation was she was having multiple family issues she needed to deal with. Secondly; Our current 2nd assistant chief (past chief of a neighboring dept with over 30 years experience) dropped out of running from anything, stating he is tired of the issues we face as a dept and he only wants to be fire police. Leaving us with only 2 people qualified to be a chief officer; our current 1st assistant, and myself currently serving as 1st Captain.
They nominated me as 1st assistant chief. (not what I wanted, but the dept has no one else so I am running, unopposed as of last months meeting, but we still accept nominations before we vote in December)
My question/concern is this; should I be worried that 2 officers are jumping ship and not telling me much of anything? Our department is small, with 23 active members, 9 interior qualified firefighters with Firefighter I or higher, and an average of 150 calls a year. I do not want to take office as a chief officer and find out 2 months later OSHA is coming in for a spot inspection or something due to a unanimous complaint called in from an un-identified member of our community...
Whats the worst that can happen to me as a newly appointed chief officer who just transferred to this department 3 years ago? Should I decline the position or run for it? If you say to run, does anyone have some advice or tips for a new chief officer based on your experiences? Besides the two years experience as Junior Fire Department Lieutenant and Captain, I have served one year as Lt and 2 as Captain in the fire service and have 23 years experience serving my 4th department.
Im just concerned about the circumstances that brought me to this and if I should be worried or not. Im ready to be assistant chief and willing to learn everything I can, but I do not want there to be some underlying problem that coule side swipe me and ruin any chances at being chief officer again. Am I paranoid or do I have a justifiable reason to worry???
Im hoping all of the salty dog ex-chiefs and current chiefs chime in on this one and give me some well respected advice, I want to do this but I want to do it right being I might only have one chance to do it.
Thanks in advance.
Moose

I was wondering if I could please ask all of you to help me out and maybe guide me in the right direction with something that I am a little worried about in my department. Advice and pointers are welcome, but slaps in the head and talking me out of it is ok as well.
In last months meeting (our nominations) we had a few things happen; our chief of the past 6 years suddenly up and quit the entire department, and the only explanation was she was having multiple family issues she needed to deal with. Secondly; Our current 2nd assistant chief (past chief of a neighboring dept with over 30 years experience) dropped out of running from anything, stating he is tired of the issues we face as a dept and he only wants to be fire police. Leaving us with only 2 people qualified to be a chief officer; our current 1st assistant, and myself currently serving as 1st Captain.
They nominated me as 1st assistant chief. (not what I wanted, but the dept has no one else so I am running, unopposed as of last months meeting, but we still accept nominations before we vote in December)
My question/concern is this; should I be worried that 2 officers are jumping ship and not telling me much of anything? Our department is small, with 23 active members, 9 interior qualified firefighters with Firefighter I or higher, and an average of 150 calls a year. I do not want to take office as a chief officer and find out 2 months later OSHA is coming in for a spot inspection or something due to a unanimous complaint called in from an un-identified member of our community...
Whats the worst that can happen to me as a newly appointed chief officer who just transferred to this department 3 years ago? Should I decline the position or run for it? If you say to run, does anyone have some advice or tips for a new chief officer based on your experiences? Besides the two years experience as Junior Fire Department Lieutenant and Captain, I have served one year as Lt and 2 as Captain in the fire service and have 23 years experience serving my 4th department.
Im just concerned about the circumstances that brought me to this and if I should be worried or not. Im ready to be assistant chief and willing to learn everything I can, but I do not want there to be some underlying problem that coule side swipe me and ruin any chances at being chief officer again. Am I paranoid or do I have a justifiable reason to worry???
Im hoping all of the salty dog ex-chiefs and current chiefs chime in on this one and give me some well respected advice, I want to do this but I want to do it right being I might only have one chance to do it.
Thanks in advance.
Moose

I was wondering if I could please ask all of you to help me out and maybe guide me in the right direction with something that I am a little worried about in my department. Advice and pointers are welcome, but slaps in the head and talking me out of it is ok as well.
In last months meeting (our nominations) we had a few things happen; our chief of the past 6 years suddenly up and quit the entire department, and the only explanation was she was having multiple family issues she needed to deal with. Secondly; Our current 2nd assistant chief (past chief of a neighboring dept with over 30 years experience) dropped out of running from anything, stating he is tired of the issues we face as a dept and he only wants to be fire police. Leaving us with only 2 people qualified to be a chief officer; our current 1st assistant, and myself currently serving as 1st Captain.
They nominated me as 1st assistant chief. (not what I wanted, but the dept has no one else so I am running, unopposed as of last months meeting, but we still accept nominations before we vote in December)
My question/concern is this; should I be worried that 2 officers are jumping ship and not telling me much of anything? Our department is small, with 23 active members, 9 interior qualified firefighters with Firefighter I or higher, and an average of 150 calls a year. I do not want to take office as a chief officer and find out 2 months later OSHA is coming in for a spot inspection or something due to a unanimous complaint called in from an un-identified member of our community...
Whats the worst that can happen to me as a newly appointed chief officer who just transferred to this department 3 years ago? Should I decline the position or run for it? If you say to run, does anyone have some advice or tips for a new chief officer based on your experiences? Besides the two years experience as Junior Fire Department Lieutenant and Captain, I have served one year as Lt and 2 as Captain in the fire service and have 23 years experience serving my 4th department.
Im just concerned about the circumstances that brought me to this and if I should be worried or not. Im ready to be assistant chief and willing to learn everything I can, but I do not want there to be some underlying problem that coule side swipe me and ruin any chances at being chief officer again. Am I paranoid or do I have a justifiable reason to worry???
Im hoping all of the salty dog ex-chiefs and current chiefs chime in on this one and give me some well respected advice, I want to do this but I want to do it right being I might only have one chance to do it.
Thanks in advance.
Moose

I was wondering if I could please ask all of you to help me out and maybe guide me in the right direction with something that I am a little worried about in my department. Advice and pointers are welcome, but slaps in the head and talking me out of it is ok as well.
In last months meeting (our nominations) we had a few things happen; our chief of the past 6 years suddenly up and quit the entire department, and the only explanation was she was having multiple family issues she needed to deal with. Secondly; Our current 2nd assistant chief (past chief of a neighboring dept with over 30 years experience) dropped out of running from anything, stating he is tired of the issues we face as a dept and he only wants to be fire police. Leaving us with only 2 people qualified to be a chief officer; our current 1st assistant, and myself currently serving as 1st Captain.
They nominated me as 1st assistant chief. (not what I wanted, but the dept has no one else so I am running, unopposed as of last months meeting, but we still accept nominations before we vote in December)
My question/concern is this; should I be worried that 2 officers are jumping ship and not telling me much of anything? Our department is small, with 23 active members, 9 interior qualified firefighters with Firefighter I or higher, and an average of 150 calls a year. I do not want to take office as a chief officer and find out 2 months later OSHA is coming in for a spot inspection or something due to a unanimous complaint called in from an un-identified member of our community...
Whats the worst that can happen to me as a newly appointed chief officer who just transferred to this department 3 years ago? Should I decline the position or run for it? If you say to run, does anyone have some advice or tips for a new chief officer based on your experiences? Besides the two years experience as Junior Fire Department Lieutenant and Captain, I have served one year as Lt and 2 as Captain in the fire service and have 23 years experience serving my 4th department.
Im just concerned about the circumstances that brought me to this and if I should be worried or not. Im ready to be assistant chief and willing to learn everything I can, but I do not want there to be some underlying problem that coule side swipe me and ruin any chances at being chief officer again. Am I paranoid or do I have a justifiable reason to worry???
Im hoping all of the salty dog ex-chiefs and current chiefs chime in on this one and give me some well respected advice, I want to do this but I want to do it right being I might only have one chance to do it.
Thanks in advance.
Moose

We all know what this job is about. This is one place that tradition comes into play in a meaningful way, and I don't care to hear from the naysayers and that "200 years of tradition uninterrupted by progress. I'm not talking about tactics and strategy, fog vs. straight, PPA. Those things are not tradition. A firefighter''s helmet is a symbol of who he is or who he was. Whatever style of helmet he wore is not the operative here. The symbolism here is that it is HIS helmet. Wearing this helmet he has accomplished things that the average person could not ever fathom. He has seen life and he has seen death. He calls anyone who wears similar headgear his brother because he knows where that person has been. If a firefighter meets his death on the job, it is his helmet that leads him to his funeral service.
My father passed away, non-LODD, when I was 15 years old. His helmet was solemnly and ceremoniously presented to me by one of his brothers. When my first son got on the job, I presented him with that same helmet. When my second son got on the job, I presented him with my old helmet. Those helmets are kept in places of honor in their homes. Why? Because that helmet says "That's who we are."
Politicians, City Managers, the general public, and unfortunately, some firefighters don't understand the symbolism. As for the rest of us, "You can leave this job, but you can't leave this job behind"
So, then, is that stinky, strange-looking hat worth $100?

Being a neutral observer in this discussion I would like to add another thought on the matter. But first, let me get one thing straight; I believe the brothers/sisters in FDNY have EARNED the right to keep their lids based on the work they do day and night for the city, and shouldnt have to pay for them. So the following is just an additional thought to add to the discussion;
I feel its an accountability thing for the city. They probably want to allow their firefighters to keep the lids, but there is the chance the member will put their newly issued helmet on the shelf in the closet and continue to use their old ones. What happens to the city if that/those firefighter(s) get hurt while wearing the old helmet? I feel the city simply wants the paper trail to prove they have 1) Issued the new helmet to the member, and 2) Received cash payment for the old helmet with a receipt in hand and legal jargon plastered all over the page saying the member understands the old helmet they are purchasing is not to be used any more and the city will not be held responsible if they continue to use them and get hurt/killed.
That is the only logical explanation I can think of for the $100 fee to keep the old ones.