Fire & EMS Leader Pro The job of old firefighters is to teach young firefighters how to become old firefighters!
By: Henry Hux, Guest Blogger and Chief Fire Marshall
What I’m about to talk about is nothing new for most of you, unfortunately it isn’t new to me either. In just over 27 years of this life [Of publice service] I voluntarily chose, looking past the day-to-day “job” there is something that continues to become clearer as the years tick away.
Most everyday can only be described as “chaotic” in public safety, no matter your certification level, and regardless of the geography; We are all quick to drop the “brother this” and “sister that” in our daily life. While I’m [may] not the first to tease your brain with this, my take makes sense to me, so maybe it will make some sense to you.
As “leaders” in public safety we signed up for quite the hefty role, right? I guess it depends on your take, but I suppose I approach mine as the “parent” within the “household”:
- Is everyone fed – Do you empower, institute growth, and create a positive environment for your “family” to thrive daily?
- Are you feeding the healthy appetites for the relevant roads they want to travel for the betterment of the family?
- Is everyone clothed in a coat of armor – Do you allow for everyone to make mistakes without trepidation? Do they get to complete their shift knowing that no matter what happened that shift that you’re still standing there as a layer between their potential mistakes and the bureaucracy?
I’m not saying allowing them to run ramped without correcting negative behaviors or gross negligence. I’m asking, do you allow them room for making mistakes while being there to guide them down the other proverbial fork in the road, all while making them feel protected while gaining a sense of confidence?
Is the roof of the organization strong enough to weather the storms? We all know there will be storms. As the leader, have you ensured you have the right people in the right places to stand guard from the dangers? Do you have the right people within that share a unified vision for the family? We will always have brotherly and sisterly differences of opinions, but are the bones strong enough to keep the house from falling?
Guidance with confidence and patience – Does the “family” know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the “parent” [You] is there for them, no matter what is going on? More than anything, I really mean the trying times here. The good times, well they are just that – easy. Do they feel comfortable enough to come to you when they are experiencing issues without fear of being ignored or you becoming frustrated?
We live in a drastically different public safety world in 2024 than when I began my career. The evolution of mental health for responders and how important it is for every single one of us should be foremost here. Does the daily environment make it so that anyone from within can explicitly verbalize to someone without fear or judgment? Do your polices allow for true “mental health days?”
The irony here is that most everyone [In public safety] has two “families,” and a bad day with one can create a scenario where our second family can pick us up, or accidentally push us down. While a healthy home isn’t only about mental health, physical and financial wellbeing should remain in the sight line as a close second and third, respectively.
While this may be nothing more than “wordy food for thought” on the Labor Day “holiday” for some, sometimes the reminder about the journey of leadership is something we all need to be successful.
About My Guest Blogger
William “Billy” Hux currently serves as the Chief State Fire Marshal in Virginia, overseeing the Budget and Operations of the Virginia State Fire Marshals Office and the Virginia Fire Marshal Academy. Billy began his fire service career as a volunteer firefighter at the age of 16 in Chesterfield County, Virginia, eventually taking a part-time position within the department.
Hux began his career with the State Fire Marshals Office as Deputy State Fire Marshal-I and has progressed through the ranks, serving in every position within the agency prior to becoming the Chief State Fire Marshal. Billy is driven by common sense leadership principles, not becoming stagnant, and he is truly passionate about the individual success of his staff – at all levels.
In his off-duty life he enjoys making memories over coffee with his wife – no matter the city or museum, nerf battles with their four children, and all things music.
