372. "Safety Culture" Stigma - Eric Valliere

National Fire Radio Podcast Platform

Eric Valliere has put in his time over the past 33 years. Currently, Eric is the Assistant Chief of the Scottsdale, AZ Fire Department overseeing Emergency Services, managing Operations, EMS and Safety. His opportunities today are much different then his early days, but he hasn't lost sight of what it's like to be a firefighter. He is working hard to protect his people and while maintaining a fire culture that is professional and proficient while making safety a priority. Eric works for his people and a big part of that is doubling down on initiatives that will create an environment of safety. Admittedly, firefighting is a dangerous job, there is no denying that, but there are safety initiatives that can be enacted to ensure we are doing everything possible to mitigate unnecessary risk. The "Safety Culture" term tends to have a bad connotation when talked about within the kitchen or front bumper, but Eric has a realistic approach to it. Safety is not to hamper our duties or limit our operations; it is to coexist with our strategies and tactics while creating an environment of protection for our people. Eric's commitment to safety includes being the Chair of the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) ensuring initiatives and practices are vetted and proven so that we can reduce the unnecessary risks for our firefighters. Assistant Chief Eric Valliere is for everything that is good about the job and his firefighters. He works hard to ensure that the "Safety Culture" within the fire service doesn't become the stigma it can sometimes be.