How long have you been a FCCMA member and why did you join?
I am a new FCCMA member. I joined FCCMA to increase my knowledge with respect to local county/city management, as well as to broaden my understanding of county/city operations. I enjoy being a part of local government and believe in providing high quality services to our residents at the best cost.
Are you an ICMA member, why did you join, and how long have you been a member?
I am not an ICMA member.
Please describe your areas of formal/advanced education.
I graduated with a B.S. in Fire Protection and Safety Technology from Oklahoma State University in 2001. I then went on to obtain an M.S. in Fire and Emergency Management Administration, also from Oklahoma State University, and graduated in 2008. I am currently pursuing an MPA from Florida Gulf Coast University and expect to graduate in 2022.
Why did you select a career in public service?
I entered the fire service as a full-time firefighter in 2001, shortly after obtaining my bachelor’s degree. I grew up in a family of servants; my father a physician, mother a teacher, and my uncle a firefighter. I became a fireman because I truly enjoy helping people in crisis situations; I am honored to serve others during one of the worst days of their lives and helping them to get their life as closely back to normal as possible.
Have you always been in the public sector or have you had experience in the private sector?
I have worked in the public sector since 1998 working for various public sector agencies. I briefly worked a side job in the private sector for a private fire protection firm reviewing sprinkler plans; this job really made me appreciate my public sector job.
Please tell us about your current position and give a brief job description if you are not a City Administrator/Manager.
I am currently the Fire Chief for the City of Safety Harbor in Pinellas County. I also serve as the city’s Emergency Manager. I report directly to the city manager. I am responsible for ensuring fire protection and emergency services throughout the city by leading and managing a department consisting of 31 employees working out of two fire stations.
Please describe your typical day.
My typical workday consists of leading and managing six direct reports, including one daytime district chief, three shift supervisors, a fire marshal, and one administrative coordinator. I maintain regular communications with these individuals via phone, text, email, and weekly in-person one-on-one meetings. Along with collaborating with command staff, I maintain open communication with my colleagues and city manager. When not in planning meetings with staff, I am working on budget-related issues, long-term operational decisions, purchases, capital improvement plans, and quality control issues while remaining focused on doing what is best for the community, and continuously improving the Safety Harbor Fire Department. The fire department is a 24/7 operation, open seven days a week, which requires daily interaction among department staff members.
What is your favorite part of the job?
The best part of my job is when I get to catch a member of the organization doing something that is making the organization and community better without my direct involvement. This is especially awesome when it is someone whom does not report to me, which means that those who do report to me are truly carrying the mission and message of the city and fire department and sharing it with their personnel throughout the ranks.
What is your least favorite part of the job?
My least favorite part of the job is having to manage negative distractions within the fire department which keep us from continuously improving the city and organization. Such distractions are usually due to misaligned priorities and/or poor communication between staff.
If you are involved in any volunteer or leadership activities in your community, please share with us a bit about what you do and why it is important to you.
I currently sit on the executive board of the International Fire Service Training Association, the largest non-profit distributor of fire service textbooks in the United States.
What is your most memorable experience on the job?
Having the opportunity to assist in the Pinellas County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during Hurricane Irma. Though individuals assigned to an EOC are there to represent their specific city or agency, all end up working together to solve problems that arrive.
What are your hobbies/interests?
I am a member of a local CrossFit gym where I usually go every day after work; it gets me out of the office at a consistent time and allows me to clear my head.
If you could give one piece of advice to people interested in a career in public service, what would it be?
Choosing a career in the public service for the past 19 years has been rewarding and fulfilling; there of course have been some challenges, but many learning opportunities. The biggest piece of advice I would have for new public servants is to ensure that their decisions are always based on doing what is best for the community; if it is not, they need to rethink the decision they are making. I would also recommend they adopt a culture of collaboration in whatever position or organization they work for; be transparent and communicate – discuss the good and bad; be open for feedback.
Who were your mentors and how have you passed this information down to other aspiring public administrators?
I have had several mentors over the past 19 years; they include past professors, supervisors, colleagues, and friends. All these mentors have one thing in common – they tell me what I need to hear as opposed to what I want to hear.
What career would you pick if you were to pick another?
I honestly have the best job in the world and enjoy getting up every morning to go to work; serving as fire chief has been the hardest job I have had in the fire service; however, it has been the most fulfilling and I work in a great community. However, I had the opportunity to speak at a conference for the first time about a year ago, and I think that is something I would like to get involved in more so – sharing what I have done with others and helping others and their organizations continuously improve.
Do you have a story you can share about how being a member of FCCMA has helped you or impacted you in a positive way?
Though I am a new member. I have appreciated the online ethics course. I have also learned from watching the behaviors of other FCCMA professionals; their ability to identify root causes of issues, their creativity in identifying solutions to problems, their ability to have uncomfortable conversations for the greater good, etc. – these are just a few items that have recently impacted me in a positive way.
