David DeStefano looks at the necessary requirements the modern fire officer needs to create a more successful and relevant fire service as we head into this new era.
Just as firefighters must orient themselves on the fireground, an officer must maintain orientation of their priorities to succeed and grow. David DeStefano considers a method for conceptualizing four factors that are crucial in staying focused.
The ability of first-arriving officers to rapidly assess the scene and set an initial action plan into motion will have a tremendous effect on incident outcome.
The fire service has a rich history of mentoring firefighters at every step of their career path. David DeStefano writes about the need to focus on the firehouse learning environment to help train probationary firefighters.
Firefighters need to keep a "Plan B" in their minds if their initial course of action on the fireground fails. David DeStefano runs through several examples for truck and engine operations.
Just being good has never been our goal. Every firefighter, officer, and chief must strive for perfection each day, writes David DeStefano, and in so doing we may obtain excellence.