The Background
The Executive Assistant/Administrative Assistant (EA/AA) is an important asset to a fire department’s daily operations. The responsibilities vary and many times the EA/AA is the go-to person or hub who keeps the operation flowing.
There is no rank for the EA/AA. Firefighters earn bugles as they get promoted with the highest rank of chief having five bugles. The EA/AA responsibilities are all encompassing from the entry level firefighter to the chief. The EA/AA sees the growth and development of firefighters throughout their careers. There have been chiefs, line officers and firefighters who realize the importance and value of the EA/AA and have commented that the position should have six bugles.
The EA/AA position in the fire service is often overlooked when someone thinks of a fire department. The EA/AA is a leader behind the lines. The EA/AA is a leader in their position, a manager of multiple tasks and often referred to as the “gatekeeper”
The goal of The Sixth Bugle is to provide training and networking opportunities for the EA/AA’s in the fire service.
The majority of fire departments have one EA/AA and the best person to support and understand the challenges that are faced working in the fire service is another person with the same or similar responsibilities and working environment.