Document Actions
Fire Chief Jones' Management Style
Newport News Fire Department: Fire Chief Jones' Management Style
My management style is participatory in nature. I find that it is essential for the successful Fire Chief to build a staff of energized personnel who share my enthusiasm for the job and are shareholders in the department’s operations. You know you have done a good job as a Fire Chief when your empowered staff is able to make critical decisions in your absence.
In addition, I also believe that personnel should be treated in a fair manner. It is important to maintain consistency in the administration of discipline. The Fire Chief’s credibility hinges, in large part, on this key leadership principal. I also believe that the Fire Chief needs to have a physical presence with the department personnel. I have instituted weekly station visits where a member of the Command Staff and the Fire Chief visit two fire stations per week. It takes a total of 15 weeks to cover the circuit, but it is important to listen to what the line personnel are thinking.
Finally, lead by example. I respond to a number of after hour emergency calls. Not to take command but to show support to the personnel working the incident. I have made it a point, since 1985 when I was promoted to a Chief Officer, to personally thank the crews at the incident scene for the job they have just completed. You can’t effectively lead a dynamic organization when you are tethered to the LMD (Large Mahogany Desk).
