What’s next? In my last blog I asked you “WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE A FIREFIGHTER” I wanted you to take a look at your story and develop the real reason behind your desire to become a career firefighter. Now that we understand the “WHY” what are we going to do about making a career in firefighting happen.
The first and best course of action will be developing a “Strategic Plan” a comprehensive overview that provides you with a metrics of expectations and goals along with a time line, a living document that can be up-dated, reviewed and amended. Adopt the attitude that planning is an integral part of your success. In fact, your strategies, once detailed, will become a description of work to be performed.
Let’s get started:
- VISION Statement – Write your vision statement as it applies to you – Become a career firefighter working for an agency where I see myself working a 30 year career
- MISSION Statement – Develop a well-rounded multilevel process that takes advantage of all training and educational opportunities, associate with others who are like minded, maintain situational readiness, preplan each step of the process, stay focused on personal development, maintain awareness of the process and at the same time focus on time lines and budgeting
- INITIATIVES – Education, training, certifications, public service, testing area, fitness training, test taking, coaching, study, research, time frames and other items of personal development
- GOALS – This is where you develop attainable goals in each of your initiatives. These are going to be detailed objectives that are incentive for you to stay the course.
- ACTION PLAN / IMPLEMENTATION – Now that you have an outline of where you are going and when it’s going to happen it’s time to get on your personal road to success.
- REVIEW /EVALUATE – As you move along in your timeline achieving your goals make adjustments to ensure success. Review measured results, modify where needed make adjustments and continue to review and develop your plan.
The details are in the planning. By developing a true strategic plan you can start down the path of becoming a career firefighter without wasting time. Without a plan you will flounder and you run the risk of become re-active candidate instead of pro-active candidate. You want to control your moves and like firefighters pre-plan your actions so when the time comes to preform or demonstrate your skill set you are ready.
Many other factors should be included in your strategic plan that is personal to you. Giving yourself realistic goals will result in more opportunity, use a strategic plan to navigate the firefighter recruitment process and in short order you will be on the path to Career Firefighter Success…
Respectfully,
Craig N. Freeman 805.340.0043 c. 24/7
