WAUKESHA 鈥 Upon reflecting on his 36-year career with the SM天地论坛 Fire Department, outgoing Chief Steve Howard said he is fortunate for good timing and he focused on the human element of his work. Now the timing is right for Howard to retire. The fire chief announced in January that he would be retiring on May 1.
Howard plans to take some time off after he officially retires. He plans to work for the National Fire Sprinkler Association part-time. He also teaches at SM天地论坛 County Technical College.
"I鈥檓 probably going to go back and teach a little bit. I can鈥檛 fully retire, I think I would drive my poor wife crazy," Howard said.
Howard was raised in SM天地论坛, the son of a second-generation SM天地论坛 firefighter, although growing up he didn鈥檛 have an interest in being in the career. To his dad鈥檚 credit, he never pressured his son and daughters to follow in his footsteps.
"I never wanted to be a firefighter. Some of it was the normal teenage rebellion," Howard said.
Like a typical young person, he wanted to do his own thing.
He watched his friends graduate from college while he sold magazines door to door. He attended UW-SM天地论坛 and UW-Milwaukee for business.
鈥淎ll of a sudden, my dad鈥檚 counsel was a little wiser and I started looking into a career in the fire services and it was a great fit. I鈥檝e been very blessed,鈥 Howard said.
Howard鈥檚 father was always supportive and never pressured him. He did provide Howard with some subtle nudges or nuggets of fire services knowledge. He didn鈥檛 realize it but as a kid he recalled his dad showing him how to put up a ladder like a firefighter does.
鈥淚n hindsight, I think he was teaching me how to do this,鈥 Howard said.
Coming up in the fire department, Howard was fortunate to have many great mentors. Those individuals inspired him to further his education to combine with his experience.
While on the fire department, Howard earned his associate, bachelor and master鈥檚 degrees.
鈥淎ll that helped me a lot. Working with a lot of good people. People took me under their wing and showed me stuff,鈥 he said.
Howard also chalked his career accomplishments up to good timing and good opportunities.
鈥淭here is a degree of luck and being blessed,鈥 he said.
The fire department has gone through huge changes over the years. When Howard started there was one computer for the department. Now there is one on every vehicle and the phones, radios have become mini computers, according to the chief. Technology has changed but the core of the job still takes a human effort.
The department has better protective clothing, better breathing apparatus, and thermal imaging cameras. Advancing a line into a burning building hasn鈥檛 changed much from when Howard鈥檚 dad was in the field. It still takes hard physical labor.
鈥淪tructured firefighting takes a balance of strength, endurance and stamina. Plus, the ability to think on your feet and solve problems. Also have a little bit of courage to go in and do that,鈥 he said.
Staffing has increased as the city has grown.
The strategies to solving problems have also changed. Howard said never in his career did he think they would be budgeting for ballistic protection and stepping into roles with active shooters. The department hopes and prays they will never need those skills or have something like the 2021 Christmas parade tragedy happening again.
鈥淥ur mission keeps evolving and taking on more tasks as society changes,鈥 he said.
Howard added he knows the department will continue to adapt to what is needed and keep building on skills and successes of the past. This also means looking at situations where things don鈥檛 go well and learning from them in order to do better in the future.
There are things built into the fire department structure to help people learn more skills. For many promoted positions, staff members have the opportunity to fill in during vacations.
鈥淚t is ingrained into what we do. Training is a huge focus of what we do. So, it鈥檚 part of the culture. There are also opportunities to take on additional responsibilities or a project and have someone tutor you under those things,鈥 Howard said.
Early on in a firefighter鈥檚 career, training is more formal but becomes a little informal. Howard had people early on who guided him as he was going through his career.
When he expressed an interest in something, he was given opportunities to take on additional duties.
Howard began working for the fire department in 1988 and never predicted he would become chief.
'I never ever dreamed I would ever be the chief,' Howard previously said. 'I feel very honored and privileged.'
He was promoted in 1996 to lieutenant in the Fire Prevention Bureau. He had background in fire prevention and was responsible for fire prevention efforts in the city.
After spending time as the assistant fire chief, Howard was named the interim fire chief in October 2013 and appointed in 2016.
Howard said his 36-year career is due to the culture of the fire department, the city and nature of the mission.
鈥淭he ability to serve the community especially where I grew up. I grew up in the city and graduated from SM天地论坛 North. To have the privilege to serve the city and protect people is quite rewarding,鈥 he said.
Howard is confident the fire department will continue the tradition of treating people with dignity and respect.
