Leading Firefighter
Encyclopedia
Leading Firefighter was a rank in the British
fire services, between Firefighter and Sub-Officer
. A Leading Firefighter was usually in charge of a single fire appliance
. The badge of rank was one white or silver bar on the epaulette
s (or the collar of the firefighting uniform), the helmet was yellow with one 12.5mm black stripe on it.
With the move from a rank based structure to a role based structure, the rank of Leading Firefighter has disappeared. Those who held the rank are now called Crew Manager/Crew Commander
and wear the insignia of the old Sub-Officer rank.
Crew Manager/Crew Commander is a rank that amalgamated the two previous ranks of Leading Fireman and Sub Officer in the Fire Service. It became the general dogsbody of the Brigade being the principal rank that kept the Fire Service operationally ready. More and more responsibilities and expectations have been imposed on the rank/role of Crew Manager/Crew Commander with no financial incentive at all.
Indeed, especially in the London Fire Brigade, it has become apparent the smooth running of the service is dependant of the good will and co-operation of the men and women in this rank, performing tasks which are way beyond their actual responsibilities.
When the rank is used as a lever in industrial action, by the unions against Management, it is possible to cripple the front line service by keeping Fire Appliances "Off the run" and unavailable for emergency calls. It is worth noting that this is done at a great financial loss for those performing the rank/role.
It is a difficult role to perform as the Firefighter regards them as management, and so has an element of distrust, and the senior management treats them with disdain as the lowest of all the ranks. Depending on the fire service qualifications that an individual Crew Manager/Commander has obtained reflects in the disregard that many senior officers have for them, especially at operational incidents, where their knowledge, help and experience is often ignored.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
fire services, between Firefighter and Sub-Officer
Sub-Officer
Sub-Officer is a term used in many military forces used to indicate ranks below commissioned officers. Sub-Officer is equivalent to the term NCO in the Commonwealth and USA...
. A Leading Firefighter was usually in charge of a single fire appliance
Fire apparatus
A fire apparatus, fire engine, fire truck, or fire appliance is a vehicle designed to assist in fighting fires by transporting firefighters to the scene and providing them with access to the fire, along with water or other equipment...
. The badge of rank was one white or silver bar on the epaulette
Epaulette
Epaulette is a type of ornamental shoulder piece or decoration used as insignia of rank by armed forces and other organizations.Epaulettes are fastened to the shoulder by a shoulder strap or "passant", a small strap parallel to the shoulder seam, and the button near the collar, or by laces on the...
s (or the collar of the firefighting uniform), the helmet was yellow with one 12.5mm black stripe on it.
With the move from a rank based structure to a role based structure, the rank of Leading Firefighter has disappeared. Those who held the rank are now called Crew Manager/Crew Commander
Crew Commander
A Crew Commander or Crew Manager is a rank within the fire service in the United Kingdom. It is superior to a Firefighter but inferior to a Watch Commander / Watch Manager....
and wear the insignia of the old Sub-Officer rank.
Crew Manager/Crew Commander is a rank that amalgamated the two previous ranks of Leading Fireman and Sub Officer in the Fire Service. It became the general dogsbody of the Brigade being the principal rank that kept the Fire Service operationally ready. More and more responsibilities and expectations have been imposed on the rank/role of Crew Manager/Crew Commander with no financial incentive at all.
Indeed, especially in the London Fire Brigade, it has become apparent the smooth running of the service is dependant of the good will and co-operation of the men and women in this rank, performing tasks which are way beyond their actual responsibilities.
When the rank is used as a lever in industrial action, by the unions against Management, it is possible to cripple the front line service by keeping Fire Appliances "Off the run" and unavailable for emergency calls. It is worth noting that this is done at a great financial loss for those performing the rank/role.
It is a difficult role to perform as the Firefighter regards them as management, and so has an element of distrust, and the senior management treats them with disdain as the lowest of all the ranks. Depending on the fire service qualifications that an individual Crew Manager/Commander has obtained reflects in the disregard that many senior officers have for them, especially at operational incidents, where their knowledge, help and experience is often ignored.