Jumpline magazine Q1 2023 - Flipbook - Page 41
Alex Trinchet
MDFR Chaplaincy
Chaplain’s Corner
Public Servant Leadership
“I will hold devotion to duty, above personal wish.
I will count sincerity of service, above personal
comfort and convenience.” These lines are from
the firefighter oath, an oath we all memorized and
stated in the fire academy on our graduation day.
This oath has no expiration date. No matter how long
we have been in service or what our current
positions may be. The essence of those lines is
that we are public servants, and we are to lead
in the service of others. We lead by example
and with compassion.
doesn’t mislead and doesn’t exploit.” Good leaders
abhor wrongdoing of all kinds; sound leadership
has a moral foundation. Good leaders cultivate
honest speech. They love advisors who tell them
the truth. Good-tempered leaders invigorate lives.
They’re like spring rain and sunshine. The road of
right living bypasses evil. Watch your step and save
your life. First pride, then the crash.
Leadership starts with one’s self. Leading
one’s self in the days that are easy and not
easy. At times leaning on others and at times
having others lean on you. Public servant leadership starts from within and reaches out to our
homes, firehouse and the community at large.
As the proverb says: “A good leader motivates,
Jack Swerdloff, Ret.
Jumpline Editor
41
The bigger the ego, the harder the fall.
We all have examples of good leaders and,
sadly, bad leaders as well. We can only
take a personal inventory of ourselves and in
the end do our best to live out the firefighter oath of “I will count sincerity of service,
above personal comfort and convenience.”
Keep leading, keep serving and keep being
“Always Ready, Proud to Serve.”
“Serving Those Who Serve”
Recommended Reading from the Editor
Boil :75 | Veterans Crisis Prevention
It’s powerful PSA video about Veterans getting
help, but it applies to us all.
Stressful life events like divorce, job loss, or
housing troubles can be risk factors for suicide. Among Veterans, these challenges can be
compounded by stigma around seeking help.
But there is hope – resources are available,
and suicide is preventable. The “Don’t Wait,
Reach Out” campaign encourages Veterans to
reach out for help before their challenges become overwhelming or reach a crisis point. If
you or a Veteran you know needs support, find
resources at VA.gov/Reach.
https://youtu.be/S7SOfx7X13g
Scan the QR code
to watch the video
February 2023 | JUMPLINE Magazine