Officer Development, Beyond FLIPS

By Chief James Harrington, Gates Fire District
Chairman, NYSAFC Paid Officers Committee

All career fire officers in New York state are required to attend the First Line Supervisors Training Program (FLIPS) in accordance with Article 10, Section 209-x of the General Municipal Law. This training provides the new lieutenant with some of the basic skill sets needed to begin his/her career as a fire officer. After successful completion of this 160-hour training program, our career officers have little, if any, structured developmental programs available to them.

One of the objectives of the NYSAFC Paid Officers Committee is to determine what type of formal officer development programs the association can offer that will assist you in your career development and advancement. Recently, the association held the Emergency Services Leadership Symposium for fire officers in Binghamton, N.Y. This program was attended by more than 50 fire officers from across the state and was very successful in preparing the company officer to handle potential obstacles during his/her career.

The Paid Officers Committee would like to continue to promote these types of programs and look at new and innovative ways to assist members of the fire service with their careers.

We will be holding a section meeting on Friday, June 14, 2013, at the Turning Stone Resort during FIRE 2013. This meeting will provide an opportunity to network with other paid officers and offer the committee feedback on the current needs of career fire officers in the state of New York. The committee will announce specific information and an agenda as the June meeting approaches.

Please feel free to contact any member of the committee with your thoughts or ideas on how NYSAFC can help you strengthen your career. Click here for a full committee roster.