5 Ways to Deal with Politicians

In order to become the master, the politician poses as the servant. ~ Charles de Gaulle

AP Photo/Robert Galbraith

By Jay Lowry  

During tough economic times, the fire service is often the first target for budget cutters. The hazards are numerous; reduced staffing, loss of benefits and layoffs result from a reckless approach to slashing spending. One fatal error is putting too much trust in any single politician.

Elected officials serve to get reelected. While during one campaign, or indeed over the years, a politician may be a fire department's best friend, it can change rapidly with firefighters wondering what happened after a catastrophic cut occurs.

This shouldn't happen because each issue should be approached with an open, objective outlook. A budget slasher one week may decide to help restore funding the next week if given the facts. Writing someone off is a mistake because all is fair in war and politics.

The real destruction occurs when firefighters lean on one politician to solve their problems. Usually friendships have been established and the firefighter looks at the politician as a friend and not someone who may potentially, for political expediency, turn on firefighters with one vote.

Even more difficult to accept, some firefighters will go back to the politician with the same open arms. Make no mistake, you don't shut the person off but you listen to them with your fingers crossed. Don't buy in to everything said because the term "political friend" is an oxymoron.

Here is some advice on dealing professionally with politicians:

1. Trust, but verify.

2. Never get in to a situation where you are on a first name basis. It is a professional relationship only. First names lend credence to the feeling of friendship. This is about protecting the public, not making friends

3. Get it in writing. Verbal promises, even in a public forum, means zero. If it is not written down, nothing exists.

4. Don't talk to other firefighters and advocate for any politician. Present firefighters the facts and they will figure out the angle.

5. Politicians come and go so. Staking your claim with just one is a massive mistake.