Lieutenant Gabe Acquilla attended Company Officers Leadership Training by the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs at Berkshire Fire Department this weekend. Over the course of the 2 day leadership training participants had the opportunity to learn from seasoned members of the fire service in New York State.
Lectures included:
“Lessons From the Street”
Lieutenant Robert Pressler (FDNY)
The company officer is the backbone of the American fire service. The actions taken on a daily basis, both in the firehouse as well as on the fireground, set the tone not only for the company, but also many times for an entire operation. Starting from a time before a firefighter decides to become an officer to when he or she walks into the firehouse at the start of the tour or arrives for drill night, this program will cover many of the issues a new officer will encounter. Topics addressed ranged from personnel issues to fireground operations using real-life occurrences in both small and large fire departments.
“Leadership on Fire: From the Probie to the Chief”
Commissioner/Chief Michael Lombardo (Buffalo F.D.)
The basic unit in the fire service is not the firefighter, but rather, the fire company. The people who make up that unit and those in charge of that unit, the company officer, are vital at the fire scene and in the firehouse. This program will helps firefighters, company officers, and aspiring company officers to be prepared for the challenges they will face. It also helps prepare them for higher level command positions, both on the fireground and in the department. Topics discussed include being the new (positive impact) firefighter and how to prepare for that big leap to company officer. Regardless of your route to promotion in a career department or a volunteer unit, you need to be ready. Knowing what to expect when you take command, as well as how you can transition from being the new officer to training your company and having ownership of the unit, will be reviewed. Why we are all here and how to operate aggressively, effectively, and safely on the fireground will be addressed.
“Company Officer Leadership: From Responding to the Fire Floor and More!”
Lieutenant Michael Ciampo (FDNY)
Making the transition from firefighter to fire officer is a tremendous undertaking and one that requires a great commitment on behalf of any individual. Unfortunately, some of us have never been given training or insight into the ways of becoming an effective company officer. Sure, we can take management classes and learn that workers have a hierarchy of needs or how to delegate and make managerial decisions. However, we all know that the decisions on the fireground aren’t made on a spreadsheet with four different colors of print. Many things must happen prior to studying and being promoted or voted into an officer position. As a firefighter, you should strive to learn and train on every aspect of the job that you can. Being a well-versed and educated firefighter only makes it easier to become a competent officer and leader. In this program, they look at “tidbits” of leadership advice to make you a better boss.
