Strive for Five: Preparing Yourself to Be Fire Chief

The path to becoming fire chief is often challenging and unpredictable.  With that in mind, how can you best prepare to become a five-bugle chief?  

Anne Arundel County (Maryland) Chief Trisha Wolford and Prince William County (Virginia) Chief (Retired) Mary Beth Michos  share their experiences and address key elements of preparation, including: 

• formal education/training,
• political and policy development skills and experience,
• public speaking and communication, 
• work history and reputation, 
• teachable potential, succession planning and job shadowing participation. 

Chief Michos also discusses the IAFC's Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI), a program which prepares aspiring chiefs to apply for and go through promotion and chief position processes.