Another graduation season has passed, and with it, secrets for success were shared in speeches at high schools and colleges across the country. During the commencement at a regional fire academy, a local volunteer fire chief spoke on how to be a successful firefighter and gave the graduates five keys to reaching that goal. His message was simple but profound.

The first key to success is to have integrity. Webster's Dictionary defines integrity as “a firm adherence to a code, especially a moral code.” Firefighters are in the public eye; no matter where they are, they represent the fire service. This is particularly true for volunteer firefighters, as they live and work in the communities they serve. In small-town volunteer fire departments, it is even more obvious. In larger towns and cities, whenever firefighters wear anything that identifies them as firefighters, the public looks at them as a member of one of the most respected professions in society. When a firefighter strays from the societal norm, the headline in the newspaper or on the news starts with “firefighter.” I've never seen a headline start with “plumber.”

Firefighters must realize that they chose a profession that makes them role models in their community. And firefighters are responsible for upholding that image. They must have a clear code of ethics, and they must model that code every day. If something feels right in a firefighter's gut, he or she should follow through, even it is difficult. Conversely, if something feels wrong, a firefighter should not become involved in it. This could be difficult, as well, but that's what it means to have integrity.

Another key to being a successful firefighter is dedication. It is important to realize that being a firefighter is not just a job; it's a calling. A job is something people do from 9 to 5 to earn a living. A calling is a career with a purpose; it goes beyond a monetary pursuit. It takes a certain type person to respond to a calling. Firefighters have a calling to help people. Dedicated firefighters don't complain about things like non-emergency medical calls or that frequent flyer, even if these calls for help are in the middle of the night. Dedicated firefighters don't grumble about going to training sessions.

Dedicated firefighters don't wait to be asked to do a task. Instead they seek to do more when the required chores are done at the fire station. For example, they will check some of the equipment on the apparatus without being assigned to do it. Dedicated firefighters know what needs to be done and they do it. They know that safety is a top priority and have the courage to operate safely. For example, every time they ride in an apparatus, they wear seatbelts and they don't think twice about reminding their fellow firefighters to do the same.

The third key to being a successful firefighter is a sense of ownership. When firefighters realize that they are stakeholders in their departments, they understand that they can affect those departments positively or negatively. Stakeholders realize that complaining has a negative effect on the department. Instead of complaining, stakeholders offer new ideas and solutions. They don't shoot from the hip, instead they think before they speak. Firefighters who view themselves as stakeholders lead by positive example. They are active on department committees and promote change. Although they respect tradition and understand its value, they also know that change creates new tradition. Yet they don't advocate change just for the sake of change. Stakeholder firefighters have the long-term health and prosperity of the department in mind at all times. They are responsible for their actions and are accountable and fair. Firefighters who are stakeholders take an active role in strengthening their departments.

The fourth key to success is a commitment to education. Today's firefighters can't afford to be complacent. Successful firefighters realize that even the smallest bit of education can save fellow firefighters. When firefighters are committed to education, they not only attend all required training sessions but they pursue other training opportunities. They attend regional and national conferences, participating in the instructional sessions and sharing the information gained with their departments when they return. Educated firefighters read professional periodicals and stay abreast with current events and hot topics in the profession by surfing the Web. Educated firefighters also seek higher education. They take advantage of department-wide educational incentives, attend college classes or pursue these classes online. They are well-rounded members of their departments. With this education, they will become future department leaders.

The last key to success is having a good sense of family. We are all anchored to a vast network of family relationships, patterns and rules and are influenced by those roles. A firefighter, however, has two families. Successful firefighters are influenced by the blend of the values learned from both. They know how to separate, prioritize and appreciate their two families. They have a good home life. They don't become so immersed in the fire service family that they neglect their personal families. Successful firefighters use their sense of family to make positive decisions and promote the sense of family at the fire station.

The chief giving the commencement address gave the graduates a message that would aid them throughout their fire service careers. That message simply stated that a successful career or volunteer firefighter possesses integrity and dedication, feels a sense of ownership, values education, and has a good sense of family. This lesson reached not only graduates of that academy but all those in the audience. It doesn't matter if the firefighter has just graduated from the fire academy, has a number of years in the fire service, or has made it to the company-officer level; the chief's message applies to all.

Chief Mike Chiaramonte, CFO, MIFireE, is a 40-year member of the Lynbrook (N.Y.) Fire Department and its former chief. Chiaramonte is a past chairman and board member of the IAFC Volunteer and Combination Officers Section Board and past president of the IAFC Eastern Division. He's also a National Fire Academy Instructor and on the advisory board to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Chiaramonte is a state EMT-B. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston and a master's degree from Hofstra University, both in communications education.