The One Tip I'd Give Someone Starting in Public Safety Leadership
Why trust, not titles, defines authentic leadership in public safety.
After 25+ years in fire, EMS, and 911 operations and now executive-level government leadership, I’ve learned something that doesn’t appear on org charts or promotion packets.
Leadership in public safety isn’t just about readiness — it’s about trust.
Early in my career, I believed the next rank would carry more influence. I thought that once I had the title, the respect, and the results, they would follow. But the truth is, the higher you go, the less your authority depends on position. At the executive level, rank fades. Many of the people you work with won’t report to you at all. Some are peers, some are outside agencies, and some are simply watching to see if you lead with integrity or just quote policy.
What does this mean in practice?
It means that successful leadership in this field takes three things:
Emotional composure under pressure — You set the tone, especially when things go sideways.
The ability to listen before leading — Decisions made in a vacuum usually fall flat.
A commitment to lifelong learning — The job changes. So should we.
But if I could offer only one piece of advice to anyone stepping into a leadership role in public safety, whether you’re running a shift, managing a center, or stepping into a cross-agency executive position, it would be this:
👉 Build trust before you try to change anything.
The biggest mistake I’ve seen (and yes, made) is assuming authority equals influence. It doesn’t.
Trust is earned through quiet, consistent presence. It’s how you show up at 2 a.m. on a bad call. It’s how you handle tension in the room. It’s how you support your people when they fail, and how you own your own missteps.
If the people around you don’t trust your motives, they won’t follow your mission. Not fully. Not when it counts.
Public safety doesn’t need leaders who look good on paper.
It needs leaders who are steady, real, and ready to serve when things get tough.
It needs people who live by the motto:
Esse quam videri — to be, rather than to seem.
Start with trust. Lead with truth.
The rest will follow.