Fire Chief Jason Caughey discusses the importance of leading by service rather than image. He reflects on the proud history of the fire service and stresses the importance of balancing passion and pride with genuine community service. Caughey raises essential questions about understanding community needs and aligning them with firefighter goals, urging leaders to focus on service-oriented leadership rather than getting distracted by external symbols of the profession.
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More from Chief Jason Caughey
New skills require repetition; established skills demand realistic scenarios, sound decisions and measurable performance
How to control emotions, use technology and “practice perfect” to enhance fireground communications
Reviewing benefits and risks of volunteer fire department mergers — and how to start the merger process for a smooth transition
The real discussion should focus on controlling what we can control in an uncontrollable environment
From application difficulty to funding competition, many barriers are more perception than reality