Exemplifying the Unique Female Qualities of Leadership

Sandra K. Schiess, Fire Chief, City of Independence, Missouri, Fire Department

Do you believe that there’s a difference between women leaders and men who lead? If you agree, there’s a growing body of research to support this point of view.

The 2005 study published by the private consulting firm Caliper identified a number of characteristics that distinguish women leaders from men.

• Persuasive, flexible: strong people skills enabling reading situations accurately and willingness to see all sides of a situation.
• Learning from adversity and carrying on with ‘I’ll show you” attitude: I can do the job.
• An inclusive, team-building leadership style of problem-solving and decision making.
• Willing to take risks and come up with innovative solutions: less interested in what has been than in what can be.
• Empathetic: genuinely caring about others so personnel feel understood, supported and valued.

Chief Sandra Schiess was not part of the study. But her advancement through the ranks and how she’s leading her department show that the characteristics ‘fit her to a T’.

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The Toni Pini Fire Service Diversity and Inclusion Award

Tony Pini (1947 - 2009)

In honor of retired Santa Rosa Fire Chief Tony Pini, who was a board member of FIRE 20/20 since our inception, Lion Apparel is sponsoring an annual award in his name.

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Mentoring: Some New Rules to Consider

Mentoring is a long-standing tradition in the fire service. In the family culture, experienced firefighters see it as their responsibility to take rookies under their wing. With the generational shift in high gear, it’s time to take a look at mentoring in some new ways that can leverage its effectiveness.


Mentoring as a Positive Force for Change

What can be the result of having an extraordinary mentor?


“Sometimes we underestimate how important it is for someone to believe in you.”

Fire Chief Niles Ford, Ph.D.
Lincoln Fire and Rescue Department, Lincoln, Nebraska

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Recent & Upcoming Events

Pilot Sessions For Recruiting & Retaining Diversity in The Fire Service™

Dallas, Texas

Fire Chief Eddie Burns and the Dallas-Fire Rescue Department hosted the third pilot session on April 9th at the Jack Evans Police Headquarters. There were 32 participants in teams from Dallas Fire-Rescue Department, Arlington Fire Department, Forth Worth Fire Department, DFW Airport Fire Department, Plano Fire Department, Temple Fire Department, Haltom City Fire Department, and Lancaster Fire Department.

Tempe, Arizona

Fire Chief Cliff Jones and the
Tempe Fire Department hosted the second pilot session at the Tempe Historical Museum on March 4th.

The 40 participants worked in teams from the Tempe Fire Department, the Northwest Fire District, Salt River Fire Department, Chandler Fire Department, Tolleson Fire Department, Goodyear Fire Department, Daisy Mountain Fire Department, Maricopa Fire Department, and the two tribal departments: Gila River Indian Community Fire Department and the Tohono O'odham Nation Fire Department.

Evaluations from Tempe and Dallas Pilots Reflect Enhancements

Based on the feedback from the first pilot at West Metro Fire Rescue’s Training Center in Lakewood, Colorado, we have continued to enhance the workshop. Evaluations from the Tempe and Dallas sessions reflected this with overall average ratings of ‘Highly Effective’.

One participant’s comment was, “It is going well. Just keep doing it and keep refining it.” This is exactly our intention!

Tacoma, Washington

Wayne Caldwell, Dean of Fire Training at Bates Technical College, Mike Brown, Executive Director of Washington Fire Chiefs, and Kelly Fox, President of Washington State Council of Fire Fighters are sponsoring the fourth pilot on May 4th at Bates Technical College South Campus.