HomeMy WebLinkAboutICFD Command Philosophy_2017COMMAND PHILOSOPHY
John Grier, Fire Chief
The Iowa City Fire Department will be comprised of professionally competent, disciplined, and physically fit members who are
dedicated to our mission. Our members will possess and exude pride, integrity, and enthusiasm. Our organizational excellence will
be defined by people who are dedicated to professional and personal distinction, and who possess a bias for action in the
performance of duty.
I regard these principles as the foundation for our future success:
The Mission: The ICFD exists only to accomplish the mission. We will do this by being competent and prepared. We will strive
to provide the administrative, training, logistical and operational support that is required to ensure the effective and efficient
functioning of our department. The Mission is our WHY!
Preparation: Our profession has two critical endeavors: preparation and execution. We have little control over the time, place, and
type of our next emergency. We do, however, retain control over the attention, time and effort we invest in preparation. Favorable
outcomes in threat environments are contingent on organizational and individual excellence. We will aggressively seek to deve lop
both.
People: Our members and their families are the most important element of this department. In order to enhance mission
accomplishment, we will take care of one another.
Integrity: Doing the right thing, at the right time, for the right reason forms the basis for our reputation and forms the foundation
for trust. The fire service is a family that is built on trust. A lack of integrity undermines trust and will not be tolerate d.
Leadership: I expect and require intelligent and competent leaders with a bias for boldness and initiative. Engaged leadership will
be a hallmark of this department. Mutual trust is essential to the leadership required in the ICFD, and trust must be built. Our
preparation will be rooted in developing trust so that it is inherent in our operations.
Professionalism: Our community expects and deserves unparalleled excellence. We are professional firefighters and must strive
to be experts in our field. We will master the basic skills of our trade and strive constantly to build upon this foundation. Mental
and physical toughness is critical to the professional firefighter. Never disengage!
Things That Are Important To Me:
Be competent in the basics. We never rise to the occasion; rather we revert to our level of training. Never lose focus on being
brilliant in the basics.
Honor your responsibility. We are fortunate to be part of perhaps America’s most trusted occupation. Honor the tradition and
your oath to serve by leaving it better than you found it every day.
Build mutual trust. In order to achieve success in complex environments, leaders and subordinates must share mutual trust. Seek
opportunities to build trust in every endeavor.
Promote initiative. I expect officers and firefighters to exercise initiative at every opportunity, particularly when it supports
mission accomplishment. It is inevitable that we ALL will make mistakes, particularly if we are trying to make a di fference.
Mistakes will be acceptable, reflected on and even embraced if they are made with the best of intentions and centered on the
mission or the welfare of other firefighters.
Fix the problem. Professionals who possess initiative fix problems; they do not defer them or assign blame. Problems with
performance or attitudes should be diagnosed quickly and addressed directly.
Hold each other accountable for conduct every minute of every day. Whenever two or more are present, one is in charge. I
expect leaders, senior firefighters, mentors and role models to hold subordinates accountable.
Attitude is everything. Be enthusiastic. Be nice. Maintain a sense of humor and have fun, both on and off duty. Set the example!
I am honored and proud to serve this community as a member of this remarkable organization. Our department has an exceptional
reputation, which is directly attributable to each and every one of you. Our mission demands confident leaders, tactically a nd
technically proficient members, and an aggressive determined spirit. You have proven time and again that you are up to the
challenge and exceed every expectation. I look forward to working together as we continuously improve and strive to make our
department the best in the nation.