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Push Brooms and Leaf Blowers

Author
Across The Street Productions
Published
Thu 24 Jul 2025
Episode Link
None

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Nick Brunicini, Terry Garrison, and Pat Dale examine the vital connection between internal department culture and external customer service in the fire service.

• Core services involve technical aspects of firefighting while added value services humanize customer interactions
• Customers rarely write letters about equipment or tactics but frequently comment on how firefighters made them feel
• Treating members of the organization with kindness and respect creates the foundation for excellent public service
• Leadership must consistently model the expected behaviors and hold everyone accountable to the same standard
• The "push broom story" demonstrates how leadership decisions either support or undermine organizational culture
• Being nice doesn't mean avoiding accountability—it means addressing issues with dignity and respect
• Effective leaders establish personal authority through consistent behavior rather than relying solely on positional power
• Organizational culture is shaped by how leadership responds to challenges and treats team members
• Modern fire service leadership requires balancing tradition with evolving professional standards

Join Pat and Terry at this year's Blue Card Hazard Zone Conference, September 29-October 3 at the Sharonville Convention Center near Cincinnati. 


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