照片由John Gregson。
By David DeStefano
像任何组织一样，消防服务由成员组成，以共同goal. As a result of membership, firefighters expect fulfillment on one or more levels while working to achieve the goal(s) of the organization. The path to fulfillment is paved by personal desire, hard work, and the guidance of a strong leader.
在消防服务中概述的领导者“组织表”特色标题，如中尉，上尉ain或者是酋长。但是，在指挥链中没有持有此类冠军的成员仍然对凝聚力运作和消防局文化和职业道德的持续增长产生巨大影响。这种至关重要的作用可以被“没有标题的领导者”填补。
Each member is part of the formal chain of命令. However, firefighters belong to an informal group that may be just as influential as the authorized rank structure in many organizations. The seniority, age group, academy class, company affiliation, or social network to which firefighters belong may hold tremendous sway in the attitude, performance, and ethics of an individual and the department as a whole.
Firefighters who rise to the挑战of leadership are a diverse group in almost every way except one: Their desire to improve the fire service. Regardless of rank, firefighters may exemplify important leadership traits every day. These firefighters knowingly or unknowingly accomplish some of the most important missions in the structure of their fire departments by setting positive examples or fostering a culture of dedicated service in which all members may participate.
Given the existence of the informal network of领导, what attributes and actions can firefighters of any seniority display that will create a positive impact on those around them?
Embrace Traditions and Champion Useful Change
很少有努力享受丰富的消防历史和传统。引导200年的行动的价值观和伦理继续提供卓越服务的道路。领导人将拥抱我们的服务遗产，了解我们的历史，并有决心接受新想法。这些新的想法是适应扩大的消防任务的必要条件。任务应对我们历史上最广泛和最复杂的事件，所有职位的领导者必须准备好转发解决我们核心核心目标的有用思路生活and property.
用来激励和支持
Members who maintain official or unofficial authority over others in their departments should use theirstatusto support the betterment of the fire service. Leaders working toward improved policies, training, and firefighter safety do a tremendous service to their peers and the organization as a whole. Members of any rank or position can work to follow safe practices and train continually. Providing a positive role model and supporting proper policies within the department will improve the individual AND the entire department when the initiative to learn, train, and pass on the knowledge grows.
Personal and Group Fulfillment
在消防服务中的少数人想要存在于恒定的动荡中而没有适当的方向。当一名成员迈起来引导他与之接触的消防员时，他会在目睹他周围的增长和整个部门的进步时，他会发现很多人们满足。使用消防服务的遗产作为未来进展的基础，任何级别的领导人都可以使用他们的官方或非官方的权力来激励他人推进他们的knowledge和乐队在一起。这一强烈的动机个人将有助于前进的组织，在此过程中，享受奖励和履行的职业生涯。
决定取决于你。您是否会迎接领导您的消防员为消防服务的挑战？
David DeStefano是北普罗维登斯（ri）消防部门的26年的老将，他担任梯子有限公司的队长。他以前被分配为梯子1和发动机3和梯子的消防员。他有一个master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in fire science. He is an instructor/coordinator for the Rhode Island Fire Academy and teaches a variety of fire service topics throughout Southern New England. He can be reached atdmd2334@cox.net.
