“Does the Jerome Township Division of Fire know what our community expects from us?”
That is the question at the core of nearly all conversations within the fire department. Lt. Sam Parsons thought it was such an important question, he decided to make it the theme of his capstone project for the Ohio Fire Executive (OFE) program.
Parsons, who has been with the Jerome Township Division of Fire for more than 13 years, is one of the department’s three shift lieutenants and serves as the township fire marshal.
“This is what I have wanted to do since graduating high school,” Parsons said.
He also hopes to be a fire chief someday. That’s where the OFE program comes in. Before retiring, former Fire Chief Scott Skeldon identified Parsons as a leader within the department, and current chief Doug Stewart agrees with that assessment.
“Sam is a young officer, the youngest of the three officers we have, but he has great potential,” Stewart said. “The program builds leadership and this is the kind of leadership that will determine where our department will go.”
The Ohio Fire Executive program was created and administered by the Ohio Fire and Emergency Services Foundation through the Ohio Fire Chief’s Association.
The program was developed as an executive development program meant to assess, enhance and refine the leadership qualities of fire chiefs around the state. According to the organization, the program also, “develops ‘bench strength’ in high potential senior officers who can move into positions of greater responsibility.”
“The completion of the OFE program by the participant can benefit the community, organization and the individual,” according to program information provided by Parsons.
Program officials say the curriculum includes 22 different learning modules, and with instructors who are “nationally recognized experts from academia, the corporate sector, private consulting organizations and fire service leaders.”
“The content and processes of the program were chosen to support the acquisition of improved leadership capabilities,” according to the program information. “It is envisioned that the program will have an impact on participants in five domains: knowledge acquisition, self-awareness building, perspective change, skill development and behavior change.”
The OFE program lasts two and a half years. Twice a year, participants gather for a week to go through the classes.
“The intervals provide time for reading assignments, completing assigned projects and immediately applying leadership concepts covered in class,” according to OFE information.
At the end of the program, each participant is required to complete an applied research project. Parsons said that as the program progressed, it became clear that most fire departments do not know what their community expects from them.
“Fire service has to operate like a business,” Parsons said. “Without the support of our community, we cannot continue to grow as an organization.”
As part of the project, Parsons surveyed residents, property owners and community business members, as well as other knowledgeable people.
“It was enlightening to see,” Parsons said. “We need to improve how we communicate all the other things we do as firefighters.
Parsons said many people do not really understand what a fire department does.
“There is plan review for new buildings, code enforcement, community education,” Parsons said. “There is so much activity that goes on in a fire department and being a firefighter anywhere, let alone in an area like Jerome Township, outside just answering 911 calls.”
Additionally, Parsons said he wants to give members of the public “a seat at the table in determining their fire department’s future.”
He is in the first stages of creating a community driven strategic plan for the department.
Stewart said Parson’s knowledge makes him an important person at the table as well.
“When it comes to budget time, his input will be valuable in deciding where we will allocate our money and where we won’t,” Stewart said.
The chief said he would like to have other members of his department prepared for leadership.
“Ultimately, I want all of them (the three shift lieutenants) to go through this or another similar program,” Stewart said.
Parsons said leadership is vital because the fire department “needs to be a cornerstone organization in our community.”
He said the fire department is “the first-line of defense for a myriad of things within your personal life.
Parsons said firefighters who respond need to be professional and understand. He added that nearly anytime the fire department is called, regardless of the type of emergency, it is a big moment for a person.
“It really is a great responsibility, but we also have an opportunity,” Parsons said. “That is the challenge for us.”