The Firehouse Yak: Jared Renshaw – Politics and the Fire Chief
Peter Matthews talks with Western Berks, PA, Fire Commissioner Jared Renshaw about this work to educate fire chiefs about their role in politics and how they can successfully navigate city hall.
Renshaw, who has served in departments on the East and West coasts, has been writing and teaching on the topic of fire service politics, helping leaders navigate the confusing and challenging paths where the two merge, and impact each other.
With many headlines of fire chiefs not being successful in their role, Renshaw warns how relationships and a thorough understanding of the political process can make or break a fire chief. He offers advice to listeners on who to connect with, how to establish and maintain that relationship and how to leverage it for growth in your department.
The two also discuss data, how to produce reports that matter to your supervisors, and a look at management maydays that chiefs can encounter.
Jared Renshaw
Jared Renshaw has more than 20 years of experience in the fire service. He started his fire service career with the Fairview Volunteer Fire Department in South Fayette Township, PA. Renshaw also served with career departments in South Carolina and California and since 2015 has served as the fire commissioner with the Western Berks Fire Department in Berks County, PA. He holds a bachelor's degree in fire service administration and is designated as a Chief Fire Officer through the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE). Renshaw serves as a Peer Reviewer for the CPSE and as a member of the board of directors for the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute. He is a member of the advisory boards for Firehouse and Firehouse Expo.
Peter Matthews | Editor-in-Chief/Conference Director
Peter Matthews is the conference director and editor-in-chief of Firehouse. He has worked at Firehouse since 1999, serving in various roles on both Firehouse Magazine and Firehouse.com staffs. He completed an internship with the Rochester, NY, Fire Department and served with fire departments in Rush, NY, and Laurel, MD, and was a lieutenant with the Glenwood Fire Company in Glenwood, NY. Matthews served as photographer for the St. Paul, MN, Fire Department.
