#55 "Show Them The Way" with Anthony Rowett (Port City Fire Training)

Summary The conversation revolves around the importance of leadership and accountability in the fire service. The hosts discuss the need for officers to identify and address issues within their crew, as well as the importance of creating an environment where firefighters feel comfortable admitting their mistakes and asking for help. They also emphasize the role of senior firefighters in mentoring and guiding younger firefighters, and the importance of separating personal opinions from professional standards. The conversation highlights the need for continuous learning and improvement, and the value of allowing firefighters to work together and develop their skills. In this conversation, Mike Nasti and Anthony Rowett discuss the importance of leadership and trust in the fire service. They emphasize the need for officers to let their crew members take the lead and make decisions, even if they already know the answer. They also highlight the significance of being supportive of the primary mission and the role of officers in providing guidance and making decisions. The conversation touches on the impact of mistakes and the importance of owning them and learning from them. They also discuss the value of training and the development of trust and confidence among team members. Takeaways Leadership is crucial in the fire service, and officers must be able to identify and address issues within their crew. Creating an environment where firefighters feel comfortable admitting their mistakes and asking for help is essential for growth and improvement. Senior firefighters play a vital role in mentoring and guiding younger firefighters, helping them develop their skills and passion for the job. It is important to separate personal opinions from professional standards and focus on the overall goal of serving and protecting the community. Continuous learning and improvement are necessary in the fire service, and firefighters should be open to seeking guidance and learning from others. Allowing firefighters to work together and develop their skills in a supportive environment fosters camaraderie and prepares them for future leadership roles. Officers should let their crew members take the lead and make decisions, even if they already know the answer. Supporting the primary mission and providing guidance and decision-making are crucial roles for officers. Mistakes are inevitable, and it's important to own them, learn from them, and move forward. Training and development are essential for building trust and confidence among team members. Leadership is about being present, being yourself, and being supportive of the collective success. Creating an Environment of Growth and Improvement Continuous Learning and Improvement in the Fire Service Letting Crew Members Take the Lead The Value of Training and Development "You can't be a warrior if you act like a bitch." "Don't just tell them, show them the way." "Invest in the next generation." "When those guys are correcting each other or talking about something or working through something or training or, you know, like, Hey, what do you think? How would you run this building with boom, you know, X, Y, and Z. And in my mind, I know the answer in my mind. I'm like, I know exactly what I would do for that." "You don't always have to have the answer. You don't always have to have a story. You don't always have to have an example. You don't always have to have been the guy that's been there, done that." "You're one of the most reliable guys, right? You know, you're not always jumping out with every single solution for every single problem, but they come to you, you have a solution for the problem with confidence, with experience, with knowledge, right?"