Carr talk: More on Charleston’s new chief
Photo by Brad Nettles in today’s Post & Courier
If you were paying very close attention to your computer just before 11:00 yesterday morning, hanging onto every word from STATter 911 that was gliding across your screen, you likely noticed how I absolutely destroyed the competition. How I obliterated the rest of the those so-called journalists that make up the web-based fire service press. What I am talking about is that STATter 911 was first to report that Tom Carr is the new chief in Charleston (at least I think we were, and that’s good enough for me). And your life is better because we did it a whole four-minutes before Mayor Joseph Riley’s announcement. Wow Dave, just how do you do it!
And we followed that up with some great insight and analysis into this selection, along with coverage of the announcement in Charleston. Well, um, not exactly.
Actually, we dropped the story to move on to our TV assignment for the day. So here are some links to coverage of Charleston’s new chief from some fine people who know how to do more than headline news.
Charleston Post & Courier article by Ron Menchaca & David Slade
FireRescue1.com’s interview with Chief Carr
Harry Carter’s column on Firehouse.com
Bill Goldfeder’s thoughts on The Secret List
Marika Kelderman’s coverage on WCSC-TV
Sarah DeMarco’s coverage on WCIV-TV
Brendan Clark’s coverage on WCBD-TV
Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service press release
Now, for a few thoughts from Dave.
First of all, if you have never heard it from me before, here is my general theory on fire chiefs: They are never as good as their PIOs would have you believe or as bad as some of the stuff written about them on thewatchdesk.com or in the comments section of STATter 911.
It is often a thankless job. Fire chiefs are up there walking the tight rope without a net as they try to balance what they know is right with the political reality of the moment. Sometimes they just can’t help pissing off the troops with the deck of cards they are dealt. A lot of fire chiefs across the country are facing that right now as budgets are slashed.
I have known Tom Carr since he was a lieutenant running the department’s Collapse Rescue Team. From a reporter’s perspective I have found him to be very accessible, whether the news was good or it was bad. Reporters like that.
Chief Carr is probably at the very bottom of my list of fire chiefs in one area that often seems to be a prerequisite for the job: Ego. I have never had the impression, in all my dealings with Tom Carr, that the job was all about him. Just the opposite.
Any grumblings about Carr that have come my way from firefighters were very different than the emails I have received through the years about so many other fire chiefs. The writers or callers may have disagreed with a decision or a direction the department was taking, but I can’t think of any that questioned Carr’s integrity or commitment. From my perspective that is pretty remarkable. Especially considering Montgomery County is a combination system with volunteers integrated into the management team and command structure.
Even right now Chief Carr has been on the opposite side of many volunteers when it comes to the county billing for ambulance service. I have heard much from both sides about how their position is the right position. What I haven’t heard is anyone telling me what an awful person and leader Tom Carr is.
It’s not that I take the emails about the other chiefs as clear evidence they aren’t fit to be chief or that the lack of snide remarks means Tom Carr is a saint who has never made any bonehead moves. What I get from this is that Chief Carr has a different management style that seems to get the job done without a lot of “look at me”. It has served him well in Montgomery County and we hope the same will be true in Charleston.
