City of Wilmington looking for next fire chief

Obviously the need for a chief with some education has come to light. In the fire service today, many administrators have higher levels of education from either the National Fire Academy or one of the degree programs specializing in fire service administration. There are many personnel in the fire service who have worked the "job" for many years and still have degrees because they the desire and drive to get educated to do the job of running a fire department. To say that it does not take some education to run a fire department is not showing forward thinking and wanting your fire department to be progressive. Be open to change!!! Resistance to change has done more harm than good to the fire service over the years

I have attended two of the meetings for discussion concerning the new fire chief conducted by the Water's Group. I cannot say it has been a waste of taxpayer money... yet. City management has not yet made a ridiculous implementation adverse to the company's recommendations, if they will even adhere to their input, as they have done so many times in the past. In neither of those meetings did I hear a firefighter say that they wanted a professor for their new Chief. Moreover, several of the citizens of Wilmington in attendance expressed their interests in the new Chief having a solid educational background as well. General consensus was the new Chief shall have a Bachelor's degree with preference given to a Master's degree WITH experience in the fire service including supervisory experience. True a degree will not put out a fire, but skills and abilities learned while attaining that degree will enhance their abilities in future leadership roles. As for the Association... Did not they conduct an assessment prior to the Water's Group assessment? And were there not striking similarities in both assessments? It sounds to me that the Association has some intelligent individuals in it. As far as promoting from within... Sure there may be someone capable of doing the job, but dare I continue? Let us look at Charleston, SC. Their firefighters were complaining prior to June 18 of similar circumstances. Their Chief had been promoted from within. They were an ISO Class 1 department. They brought up issues in training, promotions, equipment, things similar to that of which the WFD are bringing up. Sadly no one listened and nine firefighters lost their lives. The final reports came back citing the department was "undermanned", "ill-equipped", and "not adequately trained" to handle the fire that befell them last year. The Chief submitted his resignation shortly after the reports became public. The Chief is ultimately responsible in making sure that their department is staffed, equipped, and trained to handle emergencies now and in the future. We cannot be complaisant with what we have. We need an educated individual that is a forward thinker who will dedicate themselves to bettering the department and the services it provides to the city.

No Cheat im Waste, what firefighters want is a fresh set of eyes on the department to bring them into the next century. The city has stepped into the next century with all other depatments heads in terms of education and experience, why would YOU not want the same for the firefighters? Maybe you work there and think you have something to gain or lose by an outsider coming in. What makes you think an educated firefighter is an less of a hard charger. Maybe a little education would not hurt you. Don't hide behind the rank and file and use the as a vehicle to voice your opinion and carry your cause. They have done that already time and time again and got no results from it. If you don't believe that statement just read the assesment or ask any firefighter.

Its good that council went outside for possible canidates. However I hope they take a good look at Chief Blackley the interim Chief. He is a very good man with a good head on his shoulders. He has done an excellent job in the interim position. He deserves it. Don't let Cheat-um have anything to do with it. Whatever he touches turns to crap. Just like the pay study. Maybe council with give him the same thing Al got.