NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY CLASS

Chief Leahy & District Chief Livernois (Far left) Representing Pinellas Suncoast Fire Rescue District

This picture reflects members from 13 area fire departments who were fortunate to attend a "National Fire Academy" class, hosted by the Pinellas Park Fire Department, and presented by two talented people from the Academy who have shared their knowledge and experience around the country.

One would say, how can this class make a difference in other people’s lives? Consider the fact that you have selected a diverse group of individuals who are influenced by their own views, their department’s views, the views imposed upon them by their managers, elected officials and the country’s views, you tend to put all these ingredients into one pot, not realizing what you will create, but with great hope that it will be something that can be digested by a profession.

The class, "Strategic Management of Change" dealt with matters that affect us on a daily basis, at home, at work, at church, in the community and at the government level. How can we identify and determine if the change is necessary? How can we obtain support if it’s identified as necessary? How can we develop an appropriate plan to implement the change on an immediate, intermediate or long range plan? How can we truly evaluate our efforts or results? Every step requires many different items that affect the results.

During our captivity, we addressed the past, the present, the future, and yes, a vision of how those in the emergency services delivery system will look and perform in the next 20 to 30 years. We truly believe that after this experience with those who developed the recipe, the ingredients that they selected and the manner in which they were blended, developed into a product that will influence and affect many of those professionals in fire safety and emergency services to be the very best they can be at what they do.

John R. Leahy, Jr.

Fire Chief