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12 April 2024
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Featured FRI Magazine article: Retired chief fire officers - a valuable untapped resource by Lenny Naidoo (FRI Vol 2 no 1)
https://www.frimedia.org/uploads/1/2/2/7/122743954/fri_vol2no1_low_res.pdf
This week’s featured Fire and Rescue International magazine article is: Retired chief fire officers - a valuable untapped resource written by Lenny Naidoo (FRI Vol 2 no 1). We will be sharing more technical/research/tactical articles from Fire and Rescue International magazine on a weekly basis with our readers to assist in technology transfer. This will hopefully create an increased awareness, providing you with hands-on advice and guidance. All our magazines are available free of charge in PDF format on our website and online at ISSUU. We also provide all technical articles as a free download in our article archive on our website.
Retired chief fire officers - a valuable untapped resource
By Lenny Naidoo
We have a wealth of experience, knowledge and skills not being tapped into when we consider that there are so many chief fire officers in retirement. Many of the retired chiefs can contribute to our industry but thus far, no formal attempt has been made to reach out to this knowledgeable group.
The United States and other countries have seized this opportunity and have formed Retired Chief Fire Officers Associations. I was fortunate enough to attend a gathering of retired chiefs that was hosted at Fire Raiders in Boksburg several years ago. During our conversations, it became evident that the majority of the “Old Guard” still have the fire service close to their hearts and were keeping track of happenings. Many stated that although on pension, they would gladly get involved in projects or offer their support to fire services. This is critical nowadays when you consider fire service training is narrowly focussed on “entry level” training with not too much emphasis on upper management development. This leaves a huge void in development and in many instances, it is learn as you go that is the order of the day.
Retired chiefs would be invaluable to call upon in the issues centred around development. Many newly appointed fire chiefs would benefit by adopting the shadow approach by working closely with a retired chief fire officer. I recall chatting to a real legend, Nic Swanepoel, at the function in Boksburg and he strongly said that he will always support our service and what he said really touched me. Nic stated that he felt sorry for the fire chiefs of our country as they could not speak out against our employers and had to tow the line. Nick said he could do the talking on our behalf as he was not in the unfortunate position facing our current chiefs. He could stand up for our service without fear of any repercussions. At that time we decided to stall on taking advantage of the kind offer made by Nic due to the fact that 2010 soccer world cup was being planned and the world cup may be affected. Sadly Nic passed away since. I remember saying to Nic that at times, we are our own worst enemy because whatever is thrown at us, we tend to make a plan thus giving the impressions that all is well.
I must also mention two other real stalwarts in our service - John Sutton and Dick Croucamp. The former was a real traditionalist of the highest order and was never really a pensioner. He stayed in touch with the fire service and would not miss the SAESI branch meetings, where he would contribute on a regular basis. He was invaluable when bringing his experience to the discussions. There were many occasions where John Sutton would address the meeting and give direction clearly stating which plans would work and which would not – the been-there-done-that phenomenon obviates time wastage.
‘Oom’ Dick Croucamp also supported the fire services long after his retirement. ‘Oom’ Dick would travel the country to take minutes of SAESI meetings and he did a sterling job.
Currently Tony Lightbody, chairman of the board at Rural Metro, is still actively involved in fire services. At the age of 65, he most certainly is the oldest retired fire chief that is still actively involved in fire and rescue services. Tony amazingly stays in touch with developments in our fire service.
The United States Fire Services constantly use retired chiefs to sit on phases of promotional orals boards. Their long experience in personnel gives a good insight into potential supervisors and leaders. Many of these same retired chiefs act as mentors to aspiring department personnel, helping the next generation to become their best.
Retired fire chiefs would also be useful in the role of monitoring and evaluation. South Africa most definitely should set up a retired fire chiefs association to support our fire services.
This week’s featured Fire and Rescue International magazine article is: Retired chief fire officers - a valuable untapped resource written by Lenny Naidoo (FRI Vol 2 no 1). We will be sharing more technical/research/tactical articles from Fire and Rescue International magazine on a weekly basis with our readers to assist in technology transfer. This will hopefully create an increased awareness, providing you with hands-on advice and guidance. All our magazines are available free of charge in PDF format on our website and online at ISSUU. We also provide all technical articles as a free download in our article archive on our website.
Retired chief fire officers - a valuable untapped resource
By Lenny Naidoo
We have a wealth of experience, knowledge and skills not being tapped into when we consider that there are so many chief fire officers in retirement. Many of the retired chiefs can contribute to our industry but thus far, no formal attempt has been made to reach out to this knowledgeable group.
The United States and other countries have seized this opportunity and have formed Retired Chief Fire Officers Associations. I was fortunate enough to attend a gathering of retired chiefs that was hosted at Fire Raiders in Boksburg several years ago. During our conversations, it became evident that the majority of the “Old Guard” still have the fire service close to their hearts and were keeping track of happenings. Many stated that although on pension, they would gladly get involved in projects or offer their support to fire services. This is critical nowadays when you consider fire service training is narrowly focussed on “entry level” training with not too much emphasis on upper management development. This leaves a huge void in development and in many instances, it is learn as you go that is the order of the day.
Retired chiefs would be invaluable to call upon in the issues centred around development. Many newly appointed fire chiefs would benefit by adopting the shadow approach by working closely with a retired chief fire officer. I recall chatting to a real legend, Nic Swanepoel, at the function in Boksburg and he strongly said that he will always support our service and what he said really touched me. Nic stated that he felt sorry for the fire chiefs of our country as they could not speak out against our employers and had to tow the line. Nick said he could do the talking on our behalf as he was not in the unfortunate position facing our current chiefs. He could stand up for our service without fear of any repercussions. At that time we decided to stall on taking advantage of the kind offer made by Nic due to the fact that 2010 soccer world cup was being planned and the world cup may be affected. Sadly Nic passed away since. I remember saying to Nic that at times, we are our own worst enemy because whatever is thrown at us, we tend to make a plan thus giving the impressions that all is well.
I must also mention two other real stalwarts in our service - John Sutton and Dick Croucamp. The former was a real traditionalist of the highest order and was never really a pensioner. He stayed in touch with the fire service and would not miss the SAESI branch meetings, where he would contribute on a regular basis. He was invaluable when bringing his experience to the discussions. There were many occasions where John Sutton would address the meeting and give direction clearly stating which plans would work and which would not – the been-there-done-that phenomenon obviates time wastage.
‘Oom’ Dick Croucamp also supported the fire services long after his retirement. ‘Oom’ Dick would travel the country to take minutes of SAESI meetings and he did a sterling job.
Currently Tony Lightbody, chairman of the board at Rural Metro, is still actively involved in fire services. At the age of 65, he most certainly is the oldest retired fire chief that is still actively involved in fire and rescue services. Tony amazingly stays in touch with developments in our fire service.
The United States Fire Services constantly use retired chiefs to sit on phases of promotional orals boards. Their long experience in personnel gives a good insight into potential supervisors and leaders. Many of these same retired chiefs act as mentors to aspiring department personnel, helping the next generation to become their best.
Retired fire chiefs would also be useful in the role of monitoring and evaluation. South Africa most definitely should set up a retired fire chiefs association to support our fire services.