Dennis Rubin

Tip of the Spear

Dennis Rubin is the principal partner in the fire protection consulting firm DL Rubin & Associates. In his more than 35 years in the fire service, Rubin has served as a company officer, command-level officer and fire chief in several major cities. Rubin holds a bachelor's degree in fire administration and an associate's degree in fire science management, and he graduated from the National Fire Academy's EFO Program and the Naval Post Graduate School. Rubin has taught at several universities and colleges as well as at the National Fire Academy. Rubin's two textbooks are available at ChiefRubin.com. He recently published his third book "D.C. Fire." Connect with Rubin on LinkedIn.

Full list of Dennis Rubin results

Fire chief: When to say no to mutual aid
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Politics, egos or funding is never a reason to deny a fire department mutual aid
Grow fire service leaders with a military playbook
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The military's methodical approach to identifying and developing leaders can help the fire service raise its leadership game
Tip of the fire helmet: Kip Cosgrove
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His support of the Canadian fire service has improved fire departments and firefighting in immeasurable ways
3 ways fire chiefs can salvage their careers
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You've done the unthinkable and are wondering if there's any saving your career; there might be if you do these three things
2 ways fire chiefs are incompetent
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Incompetence can be part of the learning curve, or it can betray a lack of ability that will crush a career and damage a department
A fire chief's big mouth can crush his career
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A chief with mouth shut and ears open, especially around the boss, is most likely to avoid a career-crushing verbal suicide
How political ambition can end a firefighting career
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There are two ways to play politics: one gets jobs done and the other may spell the end of your job
Want to flame out your fire service career, tell lies
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Years of building public and political trust can be squashed small cover-up fibs, as will your career
Predictions: 6 things to look for in 2015
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From the easy to the slightly outrageous, albeit needed, here's a look at what to expect in the coming year
Fire chief career crusher: A toxic relationship with the boss
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When personal relationships between fire chiefs and their bosses reach irreconcilable differences, the chief can start packing
Fire chiefs: Break the law, lose your career
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Even the perception of illegal activity can be enough to bring down a fire chief; exercise good judgment and hire those with a solid character
Ignoring technology will power-down a fire chief's career
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Falling asleep at the technology wheel will stifle your fire department and eliminate any chance of you being a visionary leader
Poor firefighter health: Risk with no reward
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Bad food, exercise and lifestyle choices will shorten your career and your life; keep on top of all three early
How arrogance can ruin a fire chief's career
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A fire chief who succumbs to arrogance and a sense of self-importance will take actions not aligned with the department's goals
All the fire service is a stage; act accordingly
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Bad behavior either on or off fire department time will be found out, and it can quickly crush a promising career
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