9 • Fire and Rescue service culture - how leaders shape the fire service family

Chad Costa is Assistant Fire Chief at the City of Petaluma in California, USA. He has a passion for leadership, organisational change and improving culture in the fire service family, based on over twenty six years of experience in Fire and Rescue.

As someone who’s lived life at the sharp end of Fire and Rescue culture, what can we learn from Chad about how developing leaders and supporting diversity in teams are key factors in tackling the cultural problems affecting many Fire and Rescue services across the world?

In this episode you’ll hear about Chad’s own experiences of poor Fire and Rescue culture; how the probationary system reinforces outdated approaches and hinders cultural change; and how he’s taken positive steps with his organisation to encourage diversity of thought and leadership education.

Chad talks about the importance of leaders living up to their promises, and his reflections that “we call people leaders - some people are just people in leadership positions.”

If you’re part of the fire service family with a desire to make a positive difference in tackling incivility, bullying and harassment, this episode is packed with content that you can apply in your own situation.

Would you like to know more?

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LINKS

• Connect with Chad Costa on LinkedIn
• Chad’s website, with links to Chad’s podcasts, videos, articles and other content
• Watch a documentary about the heroes of California’s 2020 wildfires, featuring Chad.