Guest Editorial: Election Season

By Scott D. Kerwood, PhD, CFO, EFO, CFPS, CEMSO, FM, FIFireE, CEM®, TEM©
Fire Chief, Hutto Fire Rescue/Williamson County Emergency Services District #3

Right on cue, it is that time again. It is election season! And wow, is it shaping up to be a wild one. Our homes and fire departments are being bombarded with emails, flyers, and other literature about candidates in our cities, counties, regions, and Texas. They are soliciting each of us for our vote and endorsement, telling us what they will do and will not do if elected to office. They also tell us why they are the better candidate instead of their opponent. But we know that it is up to us as citizens to do our own research on each candidate and not take the word of another person to decide for us or tell us who to vote for. Voting for the candidate of your choice based on your homework is your own responsibility and should not be left up to someone else.

But these are not the only elections you should be paying attention to as the leader of your fire department. You should also be looking at the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) By-Laws changes that are being proposed for any section that you are a member of, and the candidates running for the 2nd Vice President of the IAFC. Here, too, we are being regularly solicited regarding what our positions should be on the issues and candidates. Currently, the IAFC election process is open until June 18, so you still have time to learn the issues and meet the candidates. You need to take it upon yourself to contact these individuals running for the 2nd Vice President position (Dan Munsey and Steve Locke) and find out more about them and how they will help you and the IAFC. The Texas Fire Chiefs Association leadership has come out in support of one candidate over the other. However, as a Texas fire chief, you should conduct your own research on each candidate the same way you conduct research on anything that you do daily in your fire department. You would not take the word of an apparatus manufacturer on what is best for your fire department without first comparing all the vehicles that meet your needs from all the vendors. Nor should you vote for a candidate based on the endorsement of an association or the word of an individual without first looking to see who is the best for you, your fire department, and the IAFC. As the fire chief, you have the responsibility to educate yourself. Learn about both IAFC 2nd Vice President candidates and then cast your ballot. Do not be influenced by an association or individual telling you who to vote for or, more importantly, who not to vote for.

As with any election, the most important thing that you can do is to vote. We have all heard the saying that you can’t gripe if you sit on the sideline and do not vote. And that is the case with any election. Use your power of the VOTE to put into the IAFC 2nd Vice President position who you feel is the right fit and better qualified to lead the IAFC. After you do your research, then vote your conscience. I know who I am voting for and why, do you?