Northern Virginia Fire Rescue Leadership Development Institute "NVFR LDI"

Thank you to all of the Staff, Role Players, Chief Officers and fire department representatives who helped make the #NVFRLDI2019 class possible. Thank you!

The #NVFRLDI would not be possible without the continued support of the staff. Thank you to all of the current and past staff members!

Special thank you to Gettysburg Fire for hosting a visit to their station during the #NVFRLDI2019 Command Officer Staff Ride.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Fire Chief Butler shared his personal story concerning PTSD and mental health with the #NVFRLDI2019 Company Officers class. Front-line officers asked the Chief during their round table discussion how they can help team members facing mental health issues. Suicide is a real concern that public servants are facing daily. Part of the classes assignments are to research Line of Duty Deaths and trends affecting the fire service. Suicide rates among public servants has been on a steady increase over the past several years. It is something the company officers have all had to face even in their young careers.

Fort Belvoir Fire and Emergency Services Fire Chief Crutcher shared a powerful message concerning cancer in the fire service. As a cancer survivor himself, Chief Crutcher challenged the #NVFRLDI2019 Company Officers class to learn about their individual crews and provide a supportive team, remain vulnerable enough that crew members can feel comfortable talking about individual challenges they may be facing.

Chief Officer's from 6 of the 16 departments represented in this year's NVFRLDI provided a unique opportunity for the #NVFRLDI2019 Company Officer Class. The six Chief's took part in a round table discussion covering tough topics such as Mental Health in the fire service, cancer, morale and training. The Chief's shared personal stories in how they rose to the position of Fire Chief and the difficulties that can come from the job. We would like to thank the Chief's from Arlington County Fire Department, City of Fairfax Fire Department, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, Fort Belvoir Fire and Emergency Services, Loudoun County Fire and Rescue and Stafford County Fire and Rescue for their participation in this years round table session.

The #NVFRLDI2019 Company Officers class presents core values to their fellow students.

Captain Doug Mitchell presents "Evolution You, Fire Service Leadership" to the #NVFRLDI2019 Company Officers.

Great leaders use past experiences, values, success, failures and training as building blocks to help those they serve. These building blocks can bridge gaps and extend their reach.

How do you support your teammates? Your crew? Your subordinates? Your boss? Do you let them fail? Do you keep them standing or do you lift them up? Leaders can raise everyone around them up. Motivate your team to be better than even they thought possible.

Chief Bobby Halton headlining the #NVFRLDI2019 open session.

Role players provide realistic scenarios that like "Law and Order" are straight from the headlines. The scenarios are designed to take the students out of their comfort zones and place them in realistic settings that they may have to face.

Role players provide realistic scenarios that like "Law and Order" are straight from the headlines. The scenarios are designed to take the students out of their comfort zones and place them in realistic settings that they may have to face.

Chief Tim McKay presents "Tough Talking : The Art of the Difficult Conversation" to the #NVFRLDI2019 Command officers class.

Deputy Chief (Ret) Michael Allora, presents "Mental Health for Command Officers" to the #NVFRLDI2019 class.

Day 3 of #NVFRLDI2019 started with a much needed stretch. Students were introduced to the many amazing benefits of Yoga. Maintaining a fit and flexible core reduces injuries and allows our firefighters to perform at their peak level every day.

Impossible! That word should be a call to arms to leaders. There are so many examples of the "impossible" becoming not only possible but the norm. Landing on the moon, horse-less wagons (cars) or sending instant messages across the globe. Can you have 8 or so people all stand on a one foot square? Sure thing!

Firefighters have to routinely follow orders in complete darkness. Command officers can also feel blind working outside the structure. Getting everyone on the fire ground to move forward to accomplish the task at hand is a work of art and teamwork. The exercise shown helps mirror this type of teamwork. Those wearing blindfolds can talk but not see. Those who can see cannot talk. The goal for all is still the same. Move forward together. Easier said than done. Is your team moving forward as a unit?

Day 2 of #NVFRLDI2019 starts before the sun is up. Students prepare for a Bill Murry (yes that is his real name) workout.

Lack of clear Communication is noted on every Line of duty death and injury report. As this video shows, communication does not need to be loud or even verbal to be successful. Here students are tasked with moving a "bomb" (tennis ball) from one small post to another. One small catch, you can only hold onto a string attached to a ring to do it. Oh, and you cannot talk once you start. Is your team strong enough to operate in complete silence? Do they know your goal and how you plan to get there?

When fire service leaders encounter obstacles it is their job to develop quick and smart solutions. Today one obstacle the students faced was how to get your company through the spiders web. Like the old game of operation, don't touch the sides.

Somethings look easy on paper. The "Chief" says all we have to do is set this hullahoop on the ground. How hard can that be????

Have you ever had one of those days when the emails never stop? Sometimes it helps to slow down and ask for help juggling the days workload. #Teamwork

Teamwork is a cornerstone of Leadership. What can be accomplished with #Teamwork? Anything!

The calm before the storm. Student's anxiously await the start of their immersive week of leadership training. For the majority of the students this weeks training will be like nothing they have experienced before.

As dawn breaks on a beautiful fall day the class of 2019 #NVFRLDI students arrive. #Neverstoplearning

Engine Companies 1-6 and Command Officers class of 2018.

The Command Class continues their Staff Ride in Gettysburg. The lessons learned are moving for all.

Command Officers learn about the Gettysburg Battle and the various forms of leadership shown over the course of the conflict. The Virginia Memorial is one of the many stops of their staff ride.