FireFighterNation

Company officer leadership has always been integral to FireRescue magazine. When Chief Jim Page first founded FireRescue, he drew a bull’s-eye on the wall, and in the center, he wrote “Company Officers.” He wanted to emphasize the significant impact that company officers have on how a department serves its community. That’s why each year, FireRescue magazine demonstrates its commitment to company officer development and recognition through the Company Officer of the Year Award.

Taking care of your people can mean many different things, but as Ray Gayk explains, in the fire service it involves four key items. Ray discusses two of those items, future focus and responsibility, and provides advice on how to accomplish both of them the right away.

A review of the NIOSH firefighter fatality reports shows that a contributing factor to many of these tragic deaths was an ineffective use of a personnel accountability system—or no system at all! Here, Dennis Reilly addresses the four keys to a successful accountability system: selecting the right system, a clear set of operational guidelines, effective training and guideline enforcement.

Ray Gayk discusses the fact that sometimes, company officers have a distorted view of how to properly care for their crew. At times, it means making difficult decisions that their crew may not agree with. Gayk also discusses the elements involved in properly caring for and leading a team.

A North Charleston (S.C.) firefighter says he doesn't think his fire department took a close call seriously enough - an accusation that fire officials strongly deny.