Fire & EMS Leader Pro The job of old firefighters is to teach young firefighters how to become old firefighters!
By: William Hux, Chief Fire Marshal, Va. State Fire Marshals Office, Va. Fire Marshal Academy
Now that FDIC 2025 has ended and 37,000 fire service members have moved out of Indy, it’s time to share some thoughts (yes as always – it’s my normally long thoughts, sorry).
The week was full of friends I haven’t seen in a year, classes with some of the best instructors in the world, blunt conversations about the issues we are facing, and seeing futuristic technology that we have at our fingertips (though the Stetson lid in FDNY red got most of my attention).
My biggest learning moment of the week you ask? At the last second being the only male on a panel with 3 incredibly smart women to discuss issues facing our sisters on the job. Outside of the obvious fears you can imagine, they made me feel right at home (I hate pictures of myself – but you need to see the fear in my eyes as proof).
Seriously though – looking out into an audience and chairs filled both with brothers & sisters, to see their head nods in agreement, and their undivided attention throughout the entire conversation, really made me take a step back and absorb the moment. Honestly? It simply made me angry, just as it should make every male in the fire service. Simply ask yourself – If your wife, daughter, or mother were treated this way in their career, would you be as cool with it? We aren’t talking about insane issues; we are talking about the simple things that we as a fire service are STILL not getting right.
Why are so many of our sisters still having to fight for common sense policies for the normal things in life? You know, like having a child. Or maybe us as males in the fire service having the understanding that women are in fact built slightly different from men and may need a few accommodations from time to time. Why do women get called sister in one breath, and bullied or sexually harassed with the next?
Like it or not, this is in fact a major cinderblock of the foundation in the “culture” of a department we like to talk about. I know it’s not shiny like new tactics or the upcoming promotional process, but it must change. The answer isn’t complicated.
Regardless of your rank, it starts with us. The macho Type-A males. STEP-UP, defend our women. When no one else listens, be their voice. When they are treated poorly, facilitate the fix. We are considered “protectors”, right?
If you genuinely want to “leave it better than you found it”, here’s your chance.
hashtag#fireservice hashtag#femalefirefighters hashtag#Createchange
About My Guest Author
William “Billy” Hux currently serves as the Chief State Fire Marshal in Virginia, overseeing the Budget and Operations of the Virginia State Fire Marshals Office and the Virginia Fire Marshal Academy. Billy began his fire service career as a volunteer firefighter at the age of 16 in Chesterfield County, Virginia, eventually taking a part-time position within the department.
Hux began his career with the State Fire Marshals Office as Deputy State Fire Marshal-I and has progressed through the ranks, serving in every position within the agency prior to becoming the Chief State Fire Marshal. Billy is driven by common sense leadership principles, not becoming stagnant, and he is truly passionate about the individual success of his staff – at all levels.
In his off-duty life he enjoys making memories over coffee with his wife – no matter the city or museum, nerf battles with their four children, and all things music.
