Photo by Steve Baer | FireDog Photos
Across this country, a large portion of our fire departments are staffed entirely by volunteers. These volunteers dedicate their time and energy to protecting their communities, often with limited resources and without the financial support many career departments receive. With these constraints, it’s understandable that access to advanced leadership training can be difficult to obtain. However, becoming a strong, respected leader in the fire service isn’t solely determined by the size of your budget or the paycheck you earn – it’s defined by your character, your actions, and your willingness to serve alongside your team.
Being a “professional” in the fire service is not about wearing a particular badge or uniform. It’s about embodying the principles that inspire trust and respect. Leadership starts with one of the simplest yet most powerful traits: kindness. In the volunteer fire service especially, this matters deeply, as the people you lead are not there for a paycheck. They are there because they care about their neighbors and want to make a difference. If they feel disrespected, undervalued, or ignored, they can just as easily decide to walk away.
Kindness should be backed up by genuine listening. Pay attention to the voices of your members, seek their input, and acknowledge their efforts. Something as small as a simple “thank you” can have a lasting impact. Never underestimate how far a “thank you” can go. It can boost morale, build loyalty, and strengthen your team.
Accept Change – Even Welcome It
In addition, welcome change. Change isn’t easy, but it’s sometimes necessary. As the world around us evolves, we need to, as well. Just because it has always been done this way doesn’t mean that’s the only way.
Next up, understand not everyone is going to like you. It’s OK, you are never going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but stay true to yourself and always do the right thing. Your team and organization will be better for it.
Finally, lead by example. Leadership is not about standing on the sidelines and barking orders. It’s about getting in the trenches with your crew. Join them in training drills. Help check and maintain the rigs. Roll up your sleeves to wash the apparatus or clean the station. Show them that no task is beneath you, and you are willing to put in the same work you ask of them.
Inspiring Commitment and Growth
At the end of the day, stay humble, be kind, and never stop learning. The volunteer fire service can only grow stronger when its leaders are willing to lead with integrity, empathy, and action. As a bonus, this approach can also support one of the greatest challenges our volunteer departments face today: recruitment. When people see an organization built on respect, teamwork, and shared purpose, they’re far more likely to join and stay. Together, we can make the volunteer fire service stronger.
