Austin's Fire Chief - on vacation? (felon, to buy, dangerous)

[Trainwreck20]

if the Assitant Director can "easily do" what the chief does....why do we need a chief?

Well, easily do what the chief does during an emergency. I am assuming the day to day activities of the chief are related to administration, policy, hiring, etc., which the assistant(s) are not qualified to do, possibly.

Personally, I think it would have been a good (just due to politics) idea to come back; however, I don't know the specifics. For all I know she hasn't had a vacation in years.

[motherofthree]

I told my husband about this thread. He was a volunteer fireman in Colorado many years ago. I thought she should be here in TX and not on vacay but my husband disagrees. He said she doesn't have to be here and is doing nothing wrong. He said a fire chief is a figure head and her assistants are doing all the work.

But he did say it does look bad and that if it were him he would have some back.

[Mrs.JT]

I also thought I'd add....the OP did start his/her post by saying, "What a PR disaster it is..." So in that context, I can understand. Some people will judge her, regardless, so it can possibly harm her "image." As I stated earlier, all that is nothing but politics.

Otherwise, as far as her competence is concerned, I don't necessarily think her decision can reflect negatively or positively.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by mimimomx3

So an administrator doesn't have to show leadership? Really? Even if all they do is sit around a desk during an emergency...that's where she should she be. Ok, I'll bite: if the Assitant Director can "easily do" what the chief does....why do we need a chief?

We have a Mayor and City Manager and Assistant City Managers to provide leadership. How many leaders do we need to make our knees stop shaking during an emergency?

[Gorfml]

fire her ass now or look foolish!...

[opalminor]

So has she come back or not yet? And why did Perry run off again so soon? It's not over yet!! I think Texans would've had much more respect for him if he'd stayed put and been a source of support until the worst of this was over. Who cares about the stupid debate?? His state is burning and his people are suffering...!! Where are our so-called 'leaders' when we need them.......??! I'm disgusted......

[Isitmeorarethingsnuts?]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

We have a Mayor and City Manager and Assistant City Managers to provide leadership. How many leaders do we need to make our knees stop shaking during an emergency?

Sounds like we don't need nearly that many.

[oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

We have a Mayor and City Manager and Assistant City Managers to provide leadership. How many leaders do we need to make our knees stop shaking during an emergency?

When you find out let me know. http://images.paraorkut.com/img/funn..._cat-12298.gif

I say fire em all, (so called leaders) and promote all the workers. They're the ones that know whats going on anyway and know what to do...

Anywho...I'll admit, this whole fire thing was/is a trip.

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

We have a Mayor and City Manager and Assistant City Managers to provide leadership. How many leaders do we need to make our knees stop shaking during an emergency?

Obviously we have too many taxpayer funded "leaders". Let's get rid of some of this deadwood that is hired to be a leader, but doesn't really have to lead because we already have too many leaders....??

Oh, and her salary? http://www.texastribune.org/library/...re-chief/2297/ $164,000.

[FueledByBlueBell]

What was she going to do- fight the fire herself? As long as she was doing her job and was connected then she can do as much as if she was here. I think we have to judge the final result- was she able to direct people and teams to the right places, allocate resources, secure tools and resources where and when needed? Was she still accessible by phone (Blackberry I'm sure), had she prepared the department for this type of situation? People put too much into face time when they don't think about performance in a holistic sense. We don't know the specifics unless we were directly involved with her or her team.



Snap judgements drive me crazy.