FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE June 2017 16 Job Title and Tenure: Administrative Officer hired October 10, 2011. Previous Work Experience: Prior to accepting my position from the City of Tavares, I worked for seven years for the City of Oakland Park Fire Department under the leadership of Chief Widing. Oakland Park is located in Broward County near Fort Lauderdale. Prior to working for OPFD, I worked for American Express as a Compliance Analyst. Switching from the private sector to the public sector was very different for me, as in the corporate world everything revolves around time and money. Working for American Express had its challenges as I dealt with the Latin American countries – Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and the Caribbean – and each country has its customs. I think those challenges made me learn how to think outside the box when I entered into the public sector. During my tenure with Oakland Park, I gained a better understanding of the public sector and this allowed me to move on and accept a position for the City of Tavares Fire Department under the leadership of Chief Keith. Briefly describe the structure of the administrative services of your organization. Our organization is made up of twenty-five members. Tavares has two fire stations from which we operate. Our main station is formulated out of an old train depot from the 1920s. We have begun the process of leaving this fire station and moving into a state-of-the-art Public Safety Building which should be completed within eighteen months. From the twenty-five members, we have the Fire Chief, one Inspector, one Administrative Officer, three Battalion Chiefs, and the rest fall under the Battalion Chiefs. Briefly describe your job duties. I have many duties, but the most important one is to make sure that the Fire Chief looks good. Being a smaller department has its challenges as sometimes the resource is not there but the need is. Chief Keith has many responsibilities, but his primary focus is to ensure that everyone in the Fire Service goes home. Part of my duties is to ensure that everyone has the right tools for their job. Sometimes the word “budget” plays a role and that is when you become creative. I have been successful in obtaining some grants for the big ticket items such as two Lifepaks. We are all looking forward to moving into our new Public Safety Building as we are sometimes in each other’s way and space is very limited. One of my biggest duties is to oversee the budget. Other duties include running the Administration part of the office; serving in various committees - Apparatus, Awards and Safety Committee; Administrator for various software; and assisting with grants. What is the most important aspect of your job? I think the most important thing of my job is my attendance. Recently I was out for a little bit and when I came back the boxes where piled up, the bills not paid, and my office was scary to get into. I realized how much they all needed me and it hit me they really need me. I love coming in every day knowing that I can make a difference, whether it be someone visiting the station for blood pressure check or an employee who needs their password reset. What challenges do you face in your position? Sometimes I feel that I can do more, but there is not enough time in the day. It is also challenging when you receive a request, but you have to say no due to lack of funds. Good thing we can do budget transfers as there is always a solution, you just have to look hard and you will find it. What do you enjoy most about your job? I have to say I love the department I work for, starting from the top. Chief Keith is such a delight to work for as he does not micro manage what you do. Good thing, as sometimes I make the decision and then let him know afterwards. I enjoy working in a smaller department as it has the family feel to it. We don’t always get along, but when things need to be done, I have to say we all come together and work as a team. We all have a list, some longer than others. I also enjoy watching the bald eagles on my way to work, which you don’t see that living in Broward County. I am able to move around and go with the crew on incidents so my job is not all day at a desk. Being part of the Apparatus Committee, I was able to visit the factory various times and learned so many things about a fire truck. These are the types of activities that make it so awesome to be part of the City of Tavares Fire Department. Meetthe Fire Administrative Professional Helen Vilissov, Administrative Officer Tavares Fire Department East Manatee Fire Rescue Retirement After over 24 years of service, Tim Hyden, Training and Safety Officer for East Manatee Fire Rescue in Manatee County retired on March 17, 2017. He began his fire service career with the Anna Maria Fire Control District (now West Manatee Fire Rescue) in 1992, and served as the first full-time Training & Safety Officer for East Manatee Fire Rescue since 2004. During his tenure at East Manatee, he oversaw the hiring and career progression of 50 of the current 70 personnel in the Operations Division, with several having now promoted to officer-level positions – a very gratifying experience that Hyden also credits to the dedication and efforts of many others within the organization. Tim has been a presenter at the Florida State Fire College, the FFCA Safety and Health Conference, Fire-Rescue EAST, and FDIC, as well as a contributing writer for Florida Fire Service and Fire Engineering magazines. He and his wife Maureen have relocated to central Florida.