Page 17 - July 2017

He added: “Over time I’ve come to realise that an organisation is not a bunch of processes, procedures and structures. It’s a living thing made of people who come to work every day to do the best they can. By focusing on encouraging and building effective and strong working networks throughout an organisation, and demonstrating every day that people are highly valued, it is possible for an organisation to reach its full potential. This is an ideology that is now close to my heart and it is something I will pursue for the remainder of my working life.” “It is important as a senior leader you are emotionally intelligent and it has been a real refocus for me as Chief to spend more time with people on the ground so my decisions are well rounded and informed. It’s about finding ways to fully engage with people and continuously demonstrating you value people is a critical part of being a leader. By doing so people are more likely to trust you sufficiently to align with the dirEeScS1ti7o1n85xy12o8uHPhUaSEv.qexp_tLoayotautk1e2,7/0e4v/2e01n7 1if2:4t3hPeayged11on’t
MEET THE CHIEF
agree with it.”
Chris’ youngest son, Myles, has followed in his footsteps and is a Cambridgeshire firefighter. His eldest son Joel is studying for a PhD in Aeronautical Engineering in Leicester. Chris has a third child, ten-year-old Ebrielle, whose name comes from the Cornish variant for the month of April, the month in which she was born.
So having got it right by his kids, we asked Chris how he was hoping to get it right by the Service. In other words, what kind of stamp he would leave behind if he left the Service tomorrow. “My aim is to stay at the helm and to help guide the organisation through what has been, and will continue to be, challenging times and when I finally retire I am hoping to leave an organisation where people enjoy coming to work and deliver the best possible service to the community. And that I leave an organisation still striving to improve.”
017 | www.emergencyuk.com | Hall 5 | NEC | Birmingham | 20-21 September 2017 | www.emergencyuk.com | Hall 5 | NEC | Birmingham | 20-21 September 2017 | www.emergencyuk.com | Hall 5 |
“The job has changed so much in 30 years so ESS is great to keep me up-to-date with the industry.”
Paul Thurston, Firefighter,
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service
The Emergency Services Show 2017 – it’s all about you A unique event for everyone who works in the emergency services. Over 400 exhibitors, free CPD-accredited seminars and live
product and rescue demonstrations. Hall 5, NEC, Birmingham. Wed 20 – Thu 21 September 2017. Free entry at www.emergencyuk.com. Event sponsors Event partners Event supported by
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Photograph © ESS