10 Things I Have Learned Being Fire Chief
When you become a Chief Officer you will be operating in the shadow of your past. It can be overcome but it has to be acknowledged. You will be making tough calls that may disappoint your supporters. When you become a Chief, you want to put your stamp on the position and the organization but wait, slow down. Change is difficult for many of your members so you will have to become more collaborative in managing and developing change. The biggest challenge facing chiefs is staying on top of the ever-changing political landscape. In today’s environment, rapidly changing technological advances create challenges. Join Chief Caughey as he discusses these challenges and others for this informative VCOS webinar.
He has authored over 150 articles in various publications. In 1996 he was selected by Fire Chief Magazine as Fire Chief of the Year in 1996. He has published 4 books and 7 photography books. He received the Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels Meritorious Service Award. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2022 he received the Jimmy Seavey Health and Wellness award presented by the NVFC. and the Presidents Award from the International Society of Fire Service Instructors.
He was one of the founders of the Volunteer and Combination Officer Section (VCOS) and the National Fire Academy Alumni Association. He has contributed to several “ribbon reports” published by the VCOS. He was asked to be one of the editors for the original Lavender Ribbon Report published by the VCOS and NVFC in 2019. In 2021 he along with Brian McQueen spearheaded the update for the Lavender Ribbon Report. He is a principal author of the Yellow Ribbon Report and the updated updated Training Volunteers white paper published by the National Volunteer Fire Council and the Volunteer and Combination Officers Section.
