An Insider's Guide to Mentoring the Fire Officer

essential handbook for fire officers of all ranks looking to clear the noise and get to the root of the issues to excel in their roles. Written by an experienced deputy fire chief, this book combines operational strategies, leadership insights, and real-world case studies presented in the mentoring format to address the unique challenges and situations of fire officer leadership.  

Shapiro goes beyond protocols, focusing on human dynamics, decision-making, and fostering accountability. Each chapter offers actionable advice, relatable scenarios, and thought-provoking questions to prepare fire officers for both the fireground and the firehouse. The key takeaway from this book is problem-solving from the mentor role model to provide maximum value through teachable moments.  

Leigh H. Shapiro began his 40-year career as a volunteer with the Blue Hills (CT) Fire Department, then joined the Hartford (CT) Fire Department, serving 28 years, retiring as deputy chief/senior tour commander. He operates a fire service consulting firm providing guidance on strategic and technical matters specializing in oral exam readiness and officer succession development. He is an adjunct professor for the University of New Haven’s Fire Science and Emergency Management degree program, an adjunct faculty instructor for Gateway Community College’s Fire Technology and Administration degree program, and an instructor for the State of Connecticut Office of Education and Data Management’s fire investigator precertification program. He is also a committee member for NFPA-1710, a reviewer and contributor for Jones & Bartlett fire service textbooks, instructor for the New England FOOLS, and senior technical and strategic advisor for Capital City Industries. He is a contributor to Fire Engineering magazine and an instructor for FDIC International.