Focus on Leadership
Advocating the Business Case for Diversity

Adam Thiel is the fire chief for the City of Alexandria, Virginia. Adam is a thought leader—one who enlivens old processes with new ideas.

The qualities that make Adam a thought leader were acknowledged by Governor Mark Warner back in 2002, when he appointed Adam—then a 27 year-old lieutenant with Fairfax County Fire and Rescue—to lead the Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) through a critical post-9/11 transition and state fiscal crisis.

“Initially it was surreal. Mark Warner had just become governor. I was asked if I would ever consider a gubernatorial appointment. I sort of laughed and said, ‘Right, whatever.’ Then lo and behold, a few months later I was offered the Executive Director position. In April of 2002, I got out of a fire engine’s front seat, changed out of my uniform, put on a suit, and drove to Richmond.”

Do not let Adam’s down-to-earth comment misrepresent his accomplishments. He transformed VDFP—modernizing systems, adding capacity, and enhancing capabilities.

Adam is also on the front lines advocating diversity in the fire service.

Let’s first start with Adam’s story of how he became a firefighter and the early years of his career.

Read more >>

About Recruiting & Retaining Diversity in The Fire Service^TM

FIRE 20/20 will conduct the first of ten free regional pilot training sessions of Recruiting & Retaining Diversity in The Fire Service on February 4, 2010 at West Metro Fire-Rescue District’s Training Center in Lakewood, Colorado.

The one-day training sessions present an overview of the strategies, tactics and practical aids that departments can use to more effectively recruit and retain a qualified, diverse, inclusive and safe workforce that respects, represents and reflects the communities they serve.

A Must Read Book | The Difference: How the Power of Diversity Creates Better Groups, Firms, Schools and Societies by Scott E. Page (Princeton University Press, 2007)

Scott E. Page, a professor of complex systems, political science and economics at the University of Michigan, has written a book that’s all about proving the value of diversity. This claim is backed up with math models he created. An interview published in The New York Times on January 8, 2008 highlights the books’ compelling insights and findings.

In-kind sponsor, DiversityInc, publishes a monthly magazine and has a 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 © 2009 FIRE 20/20. All rights reserved.

Sponsor Spotlight

Motorola Foundation
Awards FIRE 20/20
A $50,000 Grant

Motorola Foundation has awarded FIRE 20/20 a $50,000 grant to support the delivery of ten, free, one-day Recruiting & Retaining Diversity in The Fire Service pilot training sessions in 2010.

The development of Recruiting & Retaining Diversity in The Fire Service has been supported by Lion Apparel, Scott Health & Safety, PBI Performance Products, Inc., and TenCate Southern Mills.

FIRE 20/20 thanks our sponsors for their generous support and their commitment to diversity in the fire service!

Recent and Upcoming Events

2009 Equity-Diversity Conference
October 15-16
The George Washington Masonic Memorial
Alexandria, Virginia

Larry Sagen will be presenting. The title of his presentation is: Diversity Recruitment: Lead,
Join or Get Out of the Way.

Texas Fire Marshals’ Conference
October 19 – 23
Crowne Plaza, Austin, TX

Larry Sagen will present a one-hour session titled: Prevention Out of the Box—Customers as Partners.

Washington Fire Chiefs and the Washington State Council of Firefighters No Secrets:
Labor Management Symposium
October 26 – 28
Murano Hotel, Tacoma, WA

Larry Sagen and Hanley Brite will
present an overview of the workshop, Mastering Change in The Fire Service Workforce.

First Regional Session of Recruiting & Retaining Diversity in The Fire Service
February 4, 2010
West Metro Fire-Rescue District Training Center, Lakewood, CO

West Metro Fire-Rescue District will be hosting the first regional session of Recruiting & Retaining
Diversity in The Fire Service. Additional dates and locations are being scheduled. If your department is interested in hosting a session, contact: ff@fire2020.org.

Learn more information about the training..