Here are recent Fire Chief's columns from
The Arizona Republic
City
of Phoenix Public Information Office - News Clippings - azcentral.com
- January 3, 2009
City's potential firefighters shouldn't be discouraged
The Phoenix Fire Department would like to wish everyone a safe and happy New Year and good luck in their new-found resolutions whether it be to exercise, diet, or to attain that never-ending search for peace of mind. At the very least 2008 will go down in history as one of the most stressful periods in the history of the United States. We can all hope for a happy and better 2009.
I wanted to just take a moment to address some of the young people who live in the Valley of the Sun who honor us by wanting to enter into public safety as a career. As most of you know, the City of Phoenix is going through severe budget reductions and some hard times. The Fire Department is also affected by the economic downturn. We may not be hiring new firefighters until later this year. This news may be discouraging to the thousands of young, healthy souls who want to work for the fire service.
Becoming a Phoenix Fire Department firefighter is a process. Although we are considered a paramilitary organization, going through our process is not the same as signing up for boot camp. Our candidates come to us prepared with medical training, college classes, and a good understanding of firefighting and the social service work that our members gladly perform on a daily basis.
I often see many of these potential candidates at Fire Administration. They are bright eyed and energetic, enthusiastic, and one day will become firefighters for the City of Phoenix. At this time they may be discouraged because a year-long delay may seem like forever. Twelve months can seem like forever when you are twenty years old.
Some words of advice from a fire chief who is genuinely humbled by those sons and daughters who are willing to commit their lives to public service. A good start is getting involved in the community, giving back some of your time to folks who are not as fortunate, coaching a team, volunteering at church, or helping with neighborhood activities.
All of these are good ideas to help you become a firefighter. In addition, explore all the educational activities that are out there. There are numerous programs that, regardless of your end game, will help you develop your skills as an adult. In fact, there is a high school that is dedicated solely to public safety – the Franklin School of Public Safety. It is full of young people who want to enter into the fire service or law enforcement.
The opportunities open to you aren’t just limited to helping the community, or education. We also have groups inside the Department who are looking for volunteers. This would include our Cadet program. For more than 30 years, the Phoenix Fire Department’s Cadet Program has identified, mentored, and trained young men and women between the ages of 16 and 25 seeking careers in the fire service. At their twice monthly meetings, its members learn fire service culture, receive classroom training, and practice fire-ground operations in a safe environment under the watchful eyes of Phoenix Fire Department personnel.
There are also mentorship programs that serve the community like Rosie’s Ladder, the Valley Hispanic Bomberos, and the J.W. Robinson Society of United Black Firefighters. These programs advise young men and women pursuing a career in firefighting.
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is also a very valuable volunteer organization for the Phoenix Fire Department. It’s members go through extensive training on preparedness and disaster response. The Community Assistance Program is also looking for volunteers. It’s members help people deal with some of the emotional issues of experiencing a fire or medical emergency. In the end, getting involved in any one of these programs would be a good stepping stone for somebody to learn about the fire service or perhaps be a good vehicle for someone to just give a little something back to the community.
On a daily basis we ask our firefighters to help people in neighborhoods, schools, and churches. Many times they take it upon themselves. It is outside the scope of their usual job but these heartfelt actions by the firefighters can be as important to those people who are having a hard day as making a rescue or providing a life-saving medical treatment.
To firefighters it’s about being resourceful, well trained, and prepared to do things that a lot of people just don’t have the opportunity to get involved with. For all of us, it is essential to be involved and committed to the people and families who live in this city. Be safe!
Send comments to Bob Khan at firechief.pfd@phoenix.gov or call (602) 26-CHIEF.