Side Alpha Leadership Side Alpha Leadership

This month I sit down with my boys RJ and Sam. we talk tactics, learning new things, keeping your emotions in check and dealing with the dreaded word, change! It was great to just freestyle the conversation.

This month I speak with Steve Jones. Steve retired from Montgomery County MD as the Operations Deputy Chief. Steve and I have known each other for many years. We both started as High School Cadets for the fire department. Steve talks about his career in the fire service and what he learned along the way. He used what he learned as he progressed through the ranks to the number 2 spot in the county. 

Steve has the old school mentality when it comes to firefighting and lives by the simple philosophy, treat people how you want to be treated. 

Steve shows no signs of slowing down. He accepted the position, Fire Administrative Manager in Dover Delaware. Steve will be the first career leader in this new combination system.

In this episode I talk with Battalion Chief Rafael Gibson. Chief Gibson is  assigned to the Training Academy in Montgomery County Maryland.
As chiefs we demand our people to train every day and be the best. Your people expect you to be equally trained to be the best.
Chief Gibson discusses the new line officers training program, the advancements in command officers command competency program and continuing professional development. 
For more information on these programs contact Chief Gibson at Rafael.gibson@montgomerycountymd.gov 

In this episode I sit down with my dad Mike Kerr. We discuss the fire service back in the day and how it has changed. My dad tells his story about his love of the fire service as a kid and how he got started as a volunteer in Prince Georges County in Greenbelt, to becoming a career firefighter with the DCFD as a Tillerman at T12. 
Our family moved from Prince Georges County to Montgomery County, where he became a volunteer with the Burtonsville Vol. Fire Dept. He moved through the volunteer ranks and eventually became the longest serving chief. He honed his leadership skills and became a respected Chief through the county. 

This month I had the pleasure to speak to Asst. Chief Siddiq. We discussed a lot of topics.
Change in the fire service is hard and you will be met with resistance if you try to go big right away. The key is to start small, get buy from those closest to you. Be honest with your reason for change.
Making decisions will come easier through training. Members will gain confidence with their skills and feel at ease making decisions. Let you firefighters plan and run drills.
Finally, as a senior member of your organization you need to train you subordinates to one day move into your position. This new generation will want to know the reasons why we do the things we do. Take the time to explain and be patient, remember you were the new guy once.

This month I have Stephnie White back on the show. We discuss the new firefighters coming into the service. Are they too soft or are we projecting our rookie time onto them and is that fair?
We discussed station members' expectations of seinor staff and vice versa. 
if station members run for cover when the chiefs come to the station, the chiefs have a huge communication issue. we discussed how to overcome that communication gap.