OC EMS Leadership Seminar Graduation

Oconee County announces the graduation of 30 members of local fire and rescue agencies from its first “Beyond Helmets & Hoses” Leadership Seminar. The 16-hour program was conducted over the weekend to assist in developing quality leaders for Emergency Services personnel. The program was designed to take existing, and prospective leaders, and expose them to organizational lessons that are beyond the typical operational lessons they receive. Oconee County Emergency Services partnered with the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Pierce Fire Apparatus and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to make the program successful. Those attending the program participated in lecture and group work on the following topics: leadership, recruitment and retention, problem solving, training development, conflict resolution, effective communication and team building. These 30 leaders manage nearly 500 volunteer and staff personnel operating from 24 stations across the county. In addition to leading the response to over 6,000 calls annually, these individuals are expected to manage the personnel, training, budget and planning of their respective departments. The Beyond Helmets and Hoses program will become an annual event to ensure the continued development of leaders at all levels of Oconee County Emergency Services.