Roles and Expectations of a Company Officer Flashcards
- Analyze the problem or situation
- Determine the root cause
- Determine legitimacy
- Try to remain neutral
- “Maintain an even strain”
- Consider the 3 sides to every story
- Think through recommendations or solutions prior to forwarding up the chain
- Always consider the unintended consequences of your solution (there is not always a simple fix)
Problem Solver
•You will now play a greater role as a ‘gatekeeper’ of information as it is passed up and down the chain
•Be aware of how you frame messages going up or coming down. It’s very easy to place one’s own opinion in these communications which contributes to the inconsistency of the message being delivered
Be aware that what you write could be viewed not only throughout the Department, but also by other divisions of the City and beyond.
•This applies to memos and emails
•Watch out for the ‘Reply to All’ demon
In a nutshell, be professional in content and
appearance (format, spelling, grammar, etc.).
Communicator
Values of the Department
- Integrity
- Service
- Excellence
- Professionalism
- Teamwork
- Safety
Have and foster loyalty to the organization!
•Regardless of the perceived faults of management, COT, etc.
•Keep in mind the overriding ideal of what the Department is here for
Uphold all policies of the organization.
•Whether you agree or not, this is your obligation
•If you don’t agree, work within the system to
change it
Do the right thing for the right reasons.
•May not always be the popular course
Integrity
Understand who we really work for.
•Provide good customer service and expect this from your crew
•Go the extra mile
•Be a customer advocate and expect this from your crew
Make decisions with the needs of the customer foremost in mind!
Remember you work for your people as well.
Service
- Know your job
- Do your job
- Make sure your crew knows and does their jobs
- Establish expectations for your people and hold them accountable
Excellence
- Protect and enhance the image of the department at all times
- Represent (Be in proper uniform)
- Know your job
- Consider your correspondence
- Emails, memos, evaluations, etc.
Professionalism
- Drill, drill, drill
- Take an interest in your crew’s professional development
- Mentor your people
- Delegate to create buy-in
- Set company goals as a group
- If you are not willing to get your hands dirty, are you leading by example?
Teamwork
Primary expectations are that you care for your people’s physical and mental health.
•Make solid decisions on the fireground; do not freelance
•Be in full turnouts and be with your crew on the fireground
•Monitor your people’s well-being
•Schedule accordingly
•PPE inspections/meaningful safety meetings
•Helmet tags
•Workout
Safety
What makes an effective Company Officer?
- Set goals for yourself
- Write them down
- Periodically review
- May allow you to refocus on your priorities
Nine Words to Live By…
Do your best
Do what’s right
Treat others accordingly
And remember, your people are looking at you as more of a leader than as a friend.
Controls/reduces risk on a daily basis through…
•Emergency operations
•Day-to-day operations
And does so while ensuring his or her personnel’s:
•Safety
•Exposure (limiting)
•Welfare
Numerous deadlines to meet…
•Evaluations, safety meetings/PPE inspections, etc.
Completed staff work…
•Be thorough, accurate and complete
•Don’t make your BC have to follow up on your work
Be organized (but flexible)…
•Schedules
•Drills, C.E., personnel
Manager
What position in the Department has the most influence?
Company Officers
- Leads by example
- Demonstrates and expects great work ethic
- Takes care of his or her people
- Takes care of the TFD and the City
- Motivates
- Becomes engaged
- Attempts to see the larger picture
Leader
