sould someone who in his late 70s be a fire chief

[Countrytown]

someone in there late 70s be a fire chief???

[PaulJr93]

yes if they are able to do the job some times age is less of a facter then experence.

ALL THE CHIEF REALY DOES IS SIT IN HIS CAR!

[shoopy]

What are his qualifications??
My department has a Chief who is 72 and has been on our department for 50 years as of this Sunday.
He does a good job but sometimes finds out the front bumper is a better place to be. He isn't lazy just knows when he isn't cut out to do some things like interior work or just anything physical.
If they are in their 70's so be it but if 70+ and no clue of whats going on then send them home or let them go.

[ChiefDog]

Is the Chief progressive? Does he have the political clout to get the job done for you? Does he delegate the right stuff to the right people and make things happen for the department?

These and many more are questions that need to be asked. The "Chief's Job" is not pulling the first attack line off the truck to attack a fire! It is good to have one who could do it if he needed to. (Small departments....) But it is not the most important one. Getting the funding and backing of the town and local government leaders is!!! If someone who is 70 and is able to get the tools for the department and a 50 year old can't get the town to agree to buy fuel for the trucks, who would you want?

I know of a Asst Chief in a town in Vermont who is one of the more progressive fire officers I know about. I am talking Brunnacini like (I am not sure how the gentleman from AZ spells his name) on a small rural scale.

I have also met people who were Officers that were stuck in the 1950's at a 1990's situation. That is dangerous.

[ChiefDog]

Is the Chief progressive? Does he have the political clout to get the job done for you? Does he delegate the right stuff to the right people and make things happen for the department?

These and many more are questions that need to be asked. The "Chief's Job" is not pulling the first attack line off the truck to attack a fire! It is good to have one who could do it if he needed to. (Small departments....) But it is not the most important one. Getting the funding and backing of the town and local government leaders is!!! If someone who is 70 and is able to get the tools for the department and a 50 year old can't get the town to agree to buy fuel for the trucks, who would you want?

I know of a Asst Chief in a town in Vermont who is one of the more progressive fire officers I know about. I am talking Brunnacini like (I am not sure how the gentleman from AZ spells his name) on a small rural scale.

I have also met people who were Officers that were stuck in the 1950's at a 1990's situation. That is dangerous.

[Kevin65]

Here in New Jersey we have a mandatory retirement age of 65 for all firefighters and police officers.

[ 08-25-2001: Message edited by: GreenCap ]

[jdm2267]

Why not?

[Just a new name]

no

[BillyMott]

If it his his job to go out on every call, teach the training, repair the vehicles, maintain the property, and drag hose. I think the answer is NO. I am sure there are some people in their 70's that are better fit than way younger guys, but they don't need to be doing this. I guess without knowing what the expected duties of this man are going to be then it's tuff to give you an educated answer. If however, he is fully educated, up to date on current ideas, able to talk turkey with the bean counters and puts up a good fight for the Crew, why not. Sometimes you just can't buy experiance. Then again if he has been there for 50 years and still remembers that it was good enough for us back when and has hampered any type of progress and has always been a YES man to the bean counters, and can always make do with less, then we come to, not any more.

[ 08-25-2001: Message edited by: Billy Mott ]

[rudedog]

I bet most 70 year olds would have better sense than to pose for a stupid picture in the midst of someones tragedy.

[Nick SBFD 6]

How is the department doing?
You know the saying "If it ain't broke don't fix it"

Fire Chief jobs are becoming more and more administrative and less hands on, as long as he can do the daily work and lets the fresh meat fight the fires I don't see the problem.

-Nick