West Metro Goes to Denmark – Twice
The May 16 West Metro Fire Protection District Regular Board Meeting highlighted the educational possibilities in Denmark. Fire Chief Lombardi shared the techniques developed at West Metro at the European Diversity Conference in April. Deputy Chief Metz will attend the Officers Development Program in June. Both events were hosted by the Federation of European Fire Officers (FEU) and both events were opportunities available through the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association.
Fire Chief Lombardi reported that he represented the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association when attending the Diversity Conference. Lombardi is the immediate past President of the Metro Fire Chiefs. His platform as President was one of education and he instituted the possibility of someone attending this conference. During his attendance, he was able to share techniques for increasing gender diversity from his time at West Metro. Lombardi also represented the United States at this conference by virtue of being the only US attendee. The FEU DEI Conference was open to all and saw attendees from 18 countries. Conference costs For Chief Lombardi were covered by the Metro Fire Chiefs Association, with the possible exception of his time.
Diversity remains a priority for Chief Lombardi. Chief Lombardi was asked by the Board how West Metro’s demographics looked. Lombardi did not have hard answers ready but felt the district underrepresented Hispanics. Lombardi was a leader in redefining the physical ability evaluation model so that females are now tested on their ability to carry the fire hose and perform duties, rather than arbitrary tests such as the number of pushups possible.
Dr. Jennifer Taylor, of Drexel University and the International Association of Fire Chiefs, also attended to present finding of her research. Dr. Taylor has a grant to develop a diversity toolkit. Several members of West Metro, including Chief Lombardi, will continue to work with Dr. Taylor on this project.
Deputy Chief Metz will also be travelling to Copenhagen, this time to participate in an Officer Development Program. Metz said he was particularly excited about this program as a way to see how the European countries were implementing United Nations sustainability goals. One of Deputy Chief Metz’s goals in sustainability is moving to electric fire trucks when feasible.
The FEU invited Metro Fire Chiefs to include a participant in the Development program. During the meeting, Chief Lombardi said that Metz has a unique opportunity …’He’s going to be the US representative to the Officers Development Program.” Metz said that he applied for and was accepted as North America’s representative. After the meeting, Chief Lombardi clarified that no one else applied. The International Association of Fire Chiefs, the overarching organization of which the Metro Chiefs are a subsection, could not locate any announcement of this program accepting applications.
Lombardi believes participation will be good exposure to global financial and marketing practices, therefore West Metro will cover the costs for program participation. Participation in the Officer Development Program will also serve as part of Chief Lombardi’s successor management training.
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