The Fire Chief's Toolbox

Book excerpt: This is not another book about how to put the wet stuff on the red stuff. The Fire Chief's Tool Box presents a clear view of the personal and professional issues affecting a new fire chief and offers tools to address the issues successfully. The Fire Chief's Tool Box will provide readers with: - Realistic insight into the knowledge, skills and abilities that every fire chief must have to succeed. - Guidelines for long-term career preparation. - An understanding of the job search and selection process. - A fundamental plan for assuming command. - An understanding of the importance of the chief's role as a politician, educator, salesperson and marketer to assure career success. - Guidance for spouses and families of those who seek to become The Chief. - A reminder that the primary job of every fire chief is the safety of his or her personnel. As a future or current chief of any fire department, you will: - Benefit from the practical, straightforward and common sense advice. - Discover the thought processes needed to meet the challenges that face every chief. - Gain insight that will help your family cope with the stresses your job as fire chief will bring to their lives.