Fire department issues require attention now
Today's lead editorial.
The fact that questions are being asked about subordinates working off-duty -- paid or unpaid -- for Greensboro Fire Chief Johnny Teeters is reason enough to end the practice.
No matter how well-intended, it contributes to rank-and-file complaints of favoritism and low morale.
Last month, the 66-year-old Teeters, who joined the department in 1964 and became chief nine years ago, announced his retirement effective in December.
Discontent with his management style has been simmering just below the surface for a while now. Earlier this month, the president of the Professional Firefighters of Greensboro voiced the organization's concerns about nepotism at a City Council meeting.
But city officials apparently had heard rumblings of discontent long before that happened. As a result, Assistant City Manager Bob Morgan is conducting a "high priority" investigation. Already, he's spoken with department command staff members.
One lesson learned from ongoing turmoil at the Greensboro Police Department is that deeply rooted problems won't go away on their own. So, time is of the essence in confronting them.
The first step is defining issues. If that can't be satisfactorily addressed within the department, an outside management team must do the job. In turn, the City Council will have to decide what's best and move quickly.
But they don't need experts to conclude that allowing subordinates to work, or volunteer, off-the-clock for their own supervisors is bad policy. It opens the door to inevitable conflict of interest and favoritism complaints. Perception often becomes reality.
As the city expands and fire stations go on line, the department must look ahead. Good-old-boy policies that used to work should no longer apply.
However, change usually doesn't come easily. Teeters attributes some of the current unrest to unhappiness with a massive departmental overhaul. That may well be the case, but once the decisions are made, the challenge is building trust and moving forward.
The Greensboro Fire Department has the highest possible rating from the Insurance Services Office. Only a handful of departments nationwide can make that claim. And that's vitally important because it helps keep a lid on residential and commercial property insurance costs.
Tough decisions lie ahead. What's best for the department will depend heavily on what the city's fact-finding effort reveals. While it's premature to speculate on possibilities, the priority should be setting forth a plan that takes the department well into the 21st century. It's time to look ahead,
Comments (3)
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This city's leaders (and I'm talking about the city council, city manager) are a bunch of IDIOTS. This story is nothing more than some disgruntled workers trying to cause problems.
Think back for a minute, what started the mess with the police dept.? It was a bunch of sorry disgruntled workers who didn't like the rotating schedules that David Wray had implemented. Johnny Teeters has implemented organizational changes in the GFD and some don't like it. Therefore they are trying to cause trouble for the Chief. This city has a record for getting rid of good people would do their jobs well (example: David Wray) and they keep the troublemakers (example: James Hinson). I say keep Chief Teeters and get rid of the city council and the city manager, the assistant managers and those disgruntled firemen. Greensboro would be better off without them, just like Greensboro would be better off without James Hinson.
Posted on February 22, 2008 4:49 PM
This city's leaders (and I'm talking about the city council, city manager) are a bunch of IDIOTS. This story is nothing more than some disgruntled workers trying to cause problems.
Think back for a minute, what started the mess with the police dept.? It was a bunch of sorry disgruntled workers who didn't like the rotating schedules that David Wray had implemented. Johnny Teeters has implemented organizational changes in the GFD and some don't like it. Therefore they are trying to cause trouble for the Chief. This city has a record for getting rid of good people who do their jobs well (example: David Wray) and they keep the troublemakers (example: James Hinson). I say keep Chief Teeters and get rid of the city council and the city manager, the assistant managers and those disgruntled firemen. Greensboro would be better off without them, just like Greensboro would be better off without James Hinson and his gang of thugs in the police dept..
Posted on February 22, 2008 4:52 PM
In response to your recent post surrounding Chief Teeters. No one likes organizational changes, because it digs deep in order to have even a better Fire Department. We all have to move forward keeping abreast of the times with updates and changes. Every company has to experience this for progress and growth along with more people moving into the Greater Greensboro area occurring daily. It was a must for growth, with 15 years passed in some areas, it was time for a shake up to move forward.
So yes, it is all about our #1 Ranking - that makes us have the neccessary qualification to purchase the articles serving to equip the firefighters, and Chief Teeters sees to this. He keeps abreast of the whole picture inside the box and outside of the box, he has always been known for the job he does in our area, in our great state of North Carolina, and the United States.
My question is: do you know our Chief Teeters?
Get over the me-me-meres, and work as a team that you were hired to do. There is no - single I'm great - in team work. Look around and ask yourself, am I really a good team player for growth and do I express this feeling so my fellow firefighters know I have their backs covered when it counts.
Once you show this outward feeling and apply it, others will take you more serious as a Leader one day and want to follow you.
Make good choices, and judgements. Make yourself proud when you lay your head down at night.
"Praise be to the supporters in your GFD who
do a great job daily and feel good about themselves."
Let your fellow firefighters know they are appreciated, it starts with just one person. It's easy, just turn to your left - touch their shoulder and say "You know, I appreciate you." We do it in church every Sunday.
Why don't you start with your Chief, how long has it been since you started there? For 44 years, Chief Teeters has exemplified these characteristics as he has worked through the ranks.
He is a fellow firefighter just like you and he's got your back covered "always!"
Posted on February 24, 2008 12:40 PM