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The Future Firefighter: Episode 1724 show notes with Fire Chief Jacob McAfee from the Fresno City College - FCC Fire Academy.

“The bottom line in leadership isn't how far we advance ourselves but how far we advance others.”   (Maxwell, 1998)

Excerpt from the book by John C. Maxwell, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You

I believe LEADERSHIP is influence.  It is our ability to influence and inspire others to be more and do more every day.  It should be our absolute truth to invest in the mentoring and advancement of those that come after us and anyone else who will listen.  If it is not, it is at least your responsibility as a leader to make the commitment to pass our knowledge and experience on so that we can thrive as a fire service.

• Why I decided to join the fire service:

After graduating from high school, I was playing College football and just being a College kid. My friend had just completed the USMC bootcamp and came to visit.  By the end of the week, I had decided to join the Marines and what better occupation to do while I was in Firefighting.  I thought that sounded pretty sick!  I made the commitment to change my life and take the risk.  After Nine years of service with two deployments to Iraq, I left the military.  Overall this experience is what shaped who I am today.  From that time, I was committed to continuous self evaluation and improvement that eventually turned into a drive to lead and inspire others and organizations to be great.  I have since completed two Masters degrees, an ABD in my doctoral program and have had the pleasure of working with some great people and great organizations such as the Institute of Fire Engineers, CPSE, CA State Fire Marshal, Cal-EMA, AHA, and all of the DOD entity's from CA-NY.  

"My mission is to INVEST in people, be a servant leader anchored in core values to better our service."

• Importance of a plan:

Before you can follow through with a successful plan you have to find your "WHY"! Why do you exist?  What makes you passionate?  If it is a life of service, brotherhood, sisterhood, becoming a firefighter, MAKE THE COMMITMENT!  Once you know your why and you make the commitment to your why; you can make a successful plan.

I use the acronym plan ahead to stay in track with my personal and professional goals. While in a formal environment this changes however, its a good starting framework.

PLAN AHEAD

• Predetermine your course of action:  What is your vision/end state?
• Lay out your goals:  To make goals reachable use SMART goal setting.  Goals should be developed that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and time bound.
• Adjust your priorities:  This is key as you move forward in the process of becoming a firefighter and doing everything it takes to improve your chances.  Honestly, I love white boards.  I like them because my priorities change daily and it allows flexibility and keeps it written down.  I also believe it breeds creativity but that's another topic for some other time.  Makes sure you prioritize goals or tasks daily based on what's important now.  If needed just move some lower level priorities to the top the next day but always account for it.
• Network:  Build and utilize a strong support group and find mentors.  This is critical to pushing through challenges at times.  No one is truly successful by themselves.
• Action plan:  Create a plan of action.
• Head into action:  Don't sit idle, actively make movement towards your vision.
• Expect problems:  IF NOBODY OUTWORKS YOU!  You will be successful at some point.  Put your head down and go to work each day.  Remember - you will hear No and run into challenges.  Failure is a myth.  Think about this.  If you go for an interview and don't get the job what have you failed at?  Are you not any worse off than you were when u walked in?  Learn from it, reflect, get better and live on.
• Alway recognize your succes along the way:  A key failure is not recognizing the little wins along the way and allowing yourself to get frustrated.  Pull yourself to that small goal when you reach it take a moment to recognize that accomplishment, then move on to the next one.
• Daily, review your plan:  Stay the course.

Staying fit emotionally, mentally, and physically:

Be fit, its not about just you anymore.  You are entrusted to perform by your community, your firefighters, and your family.  Maintain a high level of physical fitness.  You can be provided with the newest, shiniest, most insane equipment and tools but if your not healthy enough to use them the tool is useless.

Invest into a lifelong commitment to be better and make others better.

Manage your time! The testing, interviews, academy, EMT etc ARE NOT EASY! Study!

Be humble and always maintain a positive attitude.

Use your support network.

You represent the fire service when you decided to pursue your dream.  Everything you do now is bigger than you.  You remember that firefighter you looked up to when you were little, be that hero.

#1 PITFALL:

Not realizing that everyday is an interview.  The fire service is a small tight knit family. Let your character and work ethic be your guide.  Every interaction and conversation you have could be a new opportunity.  EVERY DAY IS AN INTERVIEW act like it.

TAKEAWAYS:

1. Commit.  Once you make the decision be all in.  Live in the moment.  You can't control the process, its not changing.  If the interview is three hours and the written is right after oh well.  If time is short and questions confusing OK.  You cannot do anything about that.  What you can control is the level of commitment and the character that you show.
2. Make a plan and execute it.
3. Always seek self improvement and opportunity.

There are tons of training opportunities you can take advantage of through FEMA and TEEX independent study and many more. You can email me and I can give you a white paper on a large volume of training opportunities for you to stay relevant and improving in the process and beyond.

Top 10 things to do that increase your odds of getting a job.  (Not in any specific order).

1. Complete a CPR course.
2. Obtain your National Registry EMT Certification.
3. Complete an Accredited Firefighter 1 & 2 Academy.
4. Use test preparation materials.
5. Practice interviewing.
6. Stop by stations (put a face to a name).
7. Stay physically fit- Complete the CPAT/Biddle or other physical agility test your State requires.
8. Maintain a strong peer, mentor and support network.
9. Apply, Apply, and Apply some more.  There are opportunities everywhere.  Don't corner yourself because you only want to work at department "X" your goal is to get a job.  Remember here are a few agencies you can apply for a position: Department of Defense (use USAJOBS) and search 0081 for job series, BLM, US Forest Service, contract firefighting, Indian reservation (BIA), and City or County municipal departments.
10. Volunteer, get experience.  There are ways to get experience while you are on the testing circuit. Some are Red Cross volunteer, EMS provider, fire department work study, fire volunteer, and Team Rubicon, to name a few.

Chief Jacob McAfee works with the Center for Public Safety Excellence as a CFO and CTO peer reviewer and as a CFAI accreditation assessor. He is a member of the IFE and he also teaches mentoring for the CPSE.  He teaches and facilitates department strategic plans and standard of cover development.  He currently works as the Fire Chief of the Fresno City College Fire Academy and the Director of Fire Technology.  If he can help you in anyway, please contact him anytime.   You can reach Chief Jacob McAfee with the contact information below:

Phone: (714) 454 - 2838

Email: jacobmcafee@yahoo.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-mcafee-cfo-cto-480aa921

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacob.mcafee.98

*Maxwell, J. C. (1998). The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/fireengineeringtalkradio/2018/01/19/episode-1724-the-future-firefighter

Chris Baker has over 10 years of experience in volunteer, combination and career fire departments in California.  Currently, he serves as a Fire Captain with the River Delta Fire District and Public Information Officer for the Rio Vista Fire Department.  Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Anthropology and Associates of Science Degree in Fire Service Command Company Officer.  He is a California State Fire Training certified Fire Officer, Driver-Operator, Fire Instructor, and Lead Firefighter I Certification Evaluator.  Chris is a Fire Science Instructor in the California Community College System.  He is a member and educator with the International Society of Fire Service Instructors.  Chris is an Advocate for the Everyone Goes Home Program through the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation.