: Fire 2020 :: Monthly E-Newsletter Issue No.5 :

October 2008

	Focus on Leadership Leading a Culture Change
		Robert A. Creecy has 26 years of service with the Richmond Fire Department and has been Fire Chief since 2005. He’s also a change agent. According to Wikipedia, a change agent “is someone who intentionally or indirectly causes or accelerates social, cultural, or behavioral change.” Barron's Educational Series, Inc. defines a change agent as “a person whose presence or thought processes cause a change from the traditional way of handling or thinking about a problem.” What’s motivating Robert to lead a culture change in his department? Read more >>
	“We’re a college town. Bar overcrowding was a problem. In the old days, we would go to a bar or two and then calls would be made to warn the rest that the fire marshals are out tonight. Now, with a fire marshal and five assistants, three of the assistants are put on shifts so we have a 24-hour prevention presence. Those three frequently stop into the local watering holes in the evenings and at night. They kibbutz and ask about business and make sure the limits are being observed. Because they’ve developed relationships with the managers and bouncers, the bars are much more diligent about overcrowding.” Chief Daniel Jones, Chapel Hill, North Carolina Chief Daniel Jones, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
	This Month's Articles
	Mastering Change in The Fire Service^TM: A Workshop for Fire Chiefs and Command Officers “The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew.” Abraham Lincoln Talk about unsettling times! Recruiting and retaining a qualified, diverse, inclusive and safe Fire/EMS workforce. Meeting the needs and challenges of an aging population and growing multicultural communities. Bringing prevention to the forefront. Natural and man-made disasters with far-reaching operational and financial ramifications for the fire service. When change is this monumental, we have two choices: It can drive us, or we can lead it. FIRE 20/20 is proposing that fire service leaders can master change. And we are promoting a workshop that provides the insights and tools for how that’s accomplished.

	In-kind sponsor, DiversityInc, publishes a monthly magazine and has an website that “provides news, resources and commentary on the role of diversity in strengthening the corporate bottom line.” While we're from the non-profit, public service world, we have found new learning and pearls of wisdom and had ah-hah moments! Take advantage of a FIRE 20/20 sponsored electronic subscription—at no cost—to DiversityInc magazine at http://www.diversityinc.com/fire2020.

	Visit us online, anytime at http://www.fire2020.org Copyright © 2008 FIRE 20/20. All rights reserved.

Recent and Upcoming Events

Fire Marshal Roundtable
Spokane, Washington
October 22, 2008

Larry Sagen and Jan Doherty will present and facilitate an interactive conversation titled, Prevention Out-Of-The Box: Customers as Partners.

Mastering Change in the Fire Service^TM
Montgomery County
Fire Rescue Training Academy
Rockville, Maryland
November 11th and 12th

Mastering Change in The Fire Service is a two-day workshop that provides fire chiefs and their command officers with the insights and tools for mastering change.

The workshop has been structured to have three-person teams from fire departments participate.

The $2,400 fee for a three-person team includes materials, lunches, snacks and beverages.

If you would like to have a workshop conducted in your area and for more information, contact us: info@fire2020.org.