Kansas Voices - WIBW General Manager Jim Ogle

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Posted: 9:47 AM Sep 12, 2007
Last Updated: 10:38 AM Sep 12, 2007

27 comments

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Sometimes, you have to take a step back to see how effective a leader can be. Topeka has been blessed the last couple of years with the hiring of two exceptional leaders for public safety: Police Chief Ron Miller and Fire Chief Howard Giles.

Both have brought a fresh perspective on the operation of these two important departments.

Perspective they had because they could take a step back from past battles inside the departments, keep what works well from that past and change what doesn’t.

Some in Topeka have attacked them both, sometimes from inside their own departments, primarily because neither was born here, neither was raised here, neither worked their entire career here.

That kind of thinking limits the cost-effectiveness of our taxes, limits the quality of response to our homes, and limits our advancement as a community. Topeka needs the best ideas.

And those ideas should not be rejected just because someone can’t claim native status. When I take a step back, I give a “vote of confidence” to these exceptional and effective leaders.

WIBW welcomes differing points of view. Go to the Kansas Voices section of wibw.com or send your reply to jim.ogle@wibw.com.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Jerry on Dec 10, 2007 at 05:25 PM
I agree, but what does seem inappropirate is that the police chief didn't move his family to Topeka. Perhaps he has and I don't know it, but if you are a police or fire chief you should live in the community you are protecting. JIM OGLE's RESPONSE: Police Chief Miller and his wife are building a new home here. I don't remember when it is to be completed.

Posted by: S & T (sick and tired) Location: Topeka on Oct 18, 2007 at 06:27 PM
Again Greg, you've missed the point.My point was questioning your affliation with other labor unions.These unions surely don't expect their CEO to come make tires,work production lines,build cars(UAW,UFCW,UBEW,AFL-CIO,CWA,steel,iron unions).The CEO's were most likely not promoted from within, and could have been brought from out of state.Managers are in their positions to manage, that's why they have well trained professionals to execute the duties that are needed to keep that corporation operating in an efficient manner.The City of Topeka must be run like a corporation to stay in the competition of other midwest cities trying to survive in the current economic strains. That's why the citizens of Topeka voted to change the form of goverment to one with a city manager.I'm not questioning your work ethic,or the work you do.Stop the drama,look at what you do have in your position;job security, good income.As for our CEO,a business major, he's looking at the bottom line, not our respect.

Posted by: Greg Location: Topeka on Oct 17, 2007 at 05:21 PM
Just like the press,S&T only uses the pieces of my comments that can be slanted to fit their arguement.My point of not "fighting fires" went on to point out the numerous other types of calls we respond to thousands of times each year.Along with those true emergencies are a number of calls to someone who thought they had an emergency.It may not have been serious,but when we are sent to anyones "emergency" there is no consideration of race,gender,occupation or social status.All "customers" receive a service from our "business".There are a number of other responsibilities included in each shift at the fire house.It appears you are determined to argue firefighters don't really "work"!I don't recall stating anything derogatory about nurses,and will never will.You can dwell on your resentful comments and I certainly won't hold it against all nurses,I respect the job nurses do.If the CEO could work or has worked in the unit,I would bet the nurses would have more respect for the CEO's policies.

Posted by: S & T Location: Topeka on Oct 17, 2007 at 11:56 AM
Hey,Greg,you're right nurses don't work just 8hr shifts, but we are awake the entire time we are on the clock.And yes, you do spend a small amt. of your time actually fighting fires,as admitted by yourself.Now trying to involve labor unions to take "your" side seems ridiculous. These people are laborers, meaning they work their entire shift in production, largly hard physical labor. Sitting around waiting for a call, fixing meals, and working out are not on their shift duties.I can't believe "LABOR" unions truly support your cause. Their managers are not expected to know how to perform each of their jobs or duties, so why should your chief be expected to perform every task that you are asked to do.Successful managers have the appropriate leaders that can manage and inform those in his/her charge to perform the duties required.I would not expect the CEO or VP of Nursing to be able to come to a hospital unit and perform the duties of a staff nurse, that does it each day. Why should you??

Posted by: Greg Location: Topeka on Oct 8, 2007 at 04:01 PM
RealWorld,I don't know why you think a shift schedule that is used around the world should be different or better in Topeka.It is a reality that the majority of the time a firefighter is on duty, they are waiting for something to happen.It is someone's worst day that makes our job a necessity.The issue of reponsiveness and the length of shifts has been studied and debated by many people who are more objective than either of us will ever be in this forum.The fair labor standard defines acceptable standard shift lengths and recognizes the difference in types of jobs.Nurses work shifts longer than 8 hrs,ambulance personnel work 24 hrs shifts which sometimes turn into 36 hrs,cops often work hours on end investigating cases.We all should be thankful firefighters spend a small part of thier time actually fighting fires,but don't forget medical calls,auto accidents,rescues..15,000 calls per year in Topeka.Like a cop,a report goes with each call,so more time accounted for..want more clues?

Posted by: RealWorld Location: Topeka on Oct 6, 2007 at 02:22 PM
Greg - no I'm not suggesting the FD only work 8-5. I'm suggesting they work 3 shifts just like the Topeka Police Department, Goodyear, hospital or any other around-the-clock operation. I have to question how responsive a person is who has been asleep (and if they're not sleeping, someone who's been up for 24 hours) because they work 24 hour shifts as opposed to someone who is awake for their entire 8 hour shift. Would you want a cop in a dangerous situation if he's been working for 24 hrs? I doubt it. I think FF's can work 24 hours because they spend such a small percentage of their time actually doing their job - fighting fires. But, as you and your union have indicated, if people don't agree with you, they are clueless.

Posted by: S & T Location: TOPEKA on Oct 5, 2007 at 05:26 PM
Local 83 get off your pitty pot. Firefighters are not the only city employees who keep this city going 24/7.Most of those workers don't get the respect that you expect.But if the water stops flowing,your toilet backs up,the streets need of repair,or a crime is reported they go and do their jobs, as asked by their supervisors. Why should you be the only division of the city that hand picks your administration? As a health professional in this city, I am responsible to each patient I care for.We may not work 24hr. shifts, but the hospitals here in this city stay open 24/7, so when you make a first responder call you have somewhere to take that injured person. Many of us have never fought fires, rescued others, but we do may sustantial contributions to the community, without picking our boss.A little less ego and a little more team work with the Chief and City Manager might put you in a position of deserving respect, like the NYFD, on 9/11.Heroes are distinguished by their actions.

Posted by: Greg Location: Topeka on Oct 5, 2007 at 09:02 AM
Hey RealWorld you are right you are not a firefighter and obviouly don't have a clue.Are you implying we should just work 8-5 and get called in when someone has an emergency?It is not just TFD that has 24 hour shifts and yes that is how it's always been done across the nation and world!I am committed to helping people by saving lives and property,at the risk of my own life.In the 20 years I have served the citizens of this city,I have said I would run the calls for free,they pay me for the time I spend waiting for someone to have a problem.During that time I do my best to learn better ways to perform the next task asked of me,I maintain the buildings and equipment we use that are owned by the citizens of Topeka,and I maintain the piece of equipment most involved in doing the job that is asked of me..that equiment is ME!If this were a corporate America situation, voting out the boss would not have been needed, performance evaluations would have cured the problem months ago.

Posted by: RealWorld Location: Topeka on Oct 4, 2007 at 09:10 PM
I'm not a firefighter, but know lots of people who would like to vote their boss out! They don't whine and pout - they either got a new job or put up with it. Did the Goodyear union members get to vote their boss out during their last strike? (I'm sure a union vote would have supported it) Despite all the comments here, I haven't spoken to one person who supports the firefighters. Who else gets paid to sleep, workout, watch tv, go to the grocery store while being paid? By the way, why do they have to work 24 hr shifts? Because that's the way it's always been done? Law enforcement doesn't and I believe their jobs are more stressful and they put their lives on the line more than firefighters. By the way, the townships seem to do an excellent job of handling fires & accidents with mostly volunteer firefighters! Although I don't agree with the fire fighters stance, I do appreciate their service. I just think they need to slide down the pole into the real world!

Posted by: firefighter Location: topeka on Sep 22, 2007 at 08:49 AM
Mr. Ogle I submitted the comment that ended with (I think the previous 2 are more toxic) I ran out of space. If you wish too discuss this further and find out some truths about this issue e-mail me.

Posted by: firefighter Location: Topeka on Sep 20, 2007 at 04:21 PM
Mr. Ogle it is not a question of where Howard Giles is from, but one of incompetent leadership. One issue is helmet replacement. Giles said that it was put on hold due to replacement of gear contaminated by the floods of May 6th and 7th. This gear was contaminated due to the FACT that the department as a whole was not trained properly to handle flooding. If we had been more of us would have known not to wear bunker gear in flooding situation, as this is dangerous. However we did not have proper gear for flooding as the city will not buy it. Giles had the chance to send firefighters to a urban flooding class that was held on may 3,4,& 5th, ironic huh. Giles was unwilling to pay for any more than 6 of us to go. this could have saved $100,000 in gear if he would have sent more of us. CHEAP by comparison. The strange thing is we can wash out contaminants such as hydrogen cyanide & sulfur dioxide which are byproducts of smoke, but not flood contamination.I think the previous 2 are more toxic

Posted by: firefighter on Sep 19, 2007 at 06:22 AM
Your write he is not from Topeka, It most certainly shows when their is a firefighter that dies or one that has been with the department for 30 plus years. He shows no remorse for the fallen nd cares less for the ones before that. Outstanding if you appreicate a person like this.

Posted by: FF Location: Topeka on Sep 15, 2007 at 11:25 AM
First off you should not put Chief Miller and Chief Giles in the same catagory. Chief Miller can perform all of the duties as a sworn officer and Chief. Chief Giles is not even certified as an EMT in Kansas. The people that have to work for Giles have spoken. We do not take a vote of no confidence lightly. Do you think that 80% of the employees Fire Department are wrong and doing this because he is not from here. It is simple he is not fit to do the job. I encourage everyone to call and ask questions of Chief Giles and found out where he really stands. Look at just a few of the issues that have been raised. Call your city council rep, mayor, and city manager and tell them your opinion.

Posted by: firefighter Location: topeka on Sep 14, 2007 at 11:14 AM
Wow! Doesn't this seem fishy! I found out about this story from a link sent out on the city E-mail system by city manager Bonaparte. The jist I got from the e-mail was to read and see how well the fire chief is doing his job by watching this story. This couldnt have come out at a better time than when a vote of no confidence was out against him. Rudy, are you sure that maybe a little incentive was'nt pushed your way by Bonaparte and/or Giles to possibly make the fire chief look good in the public eye. Talk about a good ole boys club! Mr. Ogle, I guess even the kansas news leader has to be wrong on information sometimes.

Posted by: Fireman Location: Topeka on Sep 13, 2007 at 10:21 PM
Rudy, you missed the nail on that swing. I think unless your on the inside you have a clue about this good ol boy system. DO you have a job that you go to everyday and may not make it home to kiss your wife or little girls? If you check it, we are not saying that seniority is solely important, but like in any job, experience comes with that time in a job. You talk about the 9-10 days we work a month? You figure in those days, we train, we study, we exercise, we do events out in public, we respond to medical calls, and fire calls no matter what the weather, we run into burning building while people like you are running out, but we only work 9 days a month. in those 9-10 days, we work 240 hours, which is more than a 9 to 5er works in 6 weeks. so you can stop crying, those gym memberships are not paid for by the city or taxpayers, so rest easy. Exercise is an important component of our job, come ride with us, wear the gear in 100 degree weather, see how important that exercise is.

Posted by: Greg Location: Topeka on Sep 13, 2007 at 06:23 PM
It sounds like Rudy must not have passed the test to join the Fire Department, another disgruntled wanta be?Mr Ogle, I would be curious if maybe you too are not from Topeka,prompting such strong sentiments. I am also curious if you would consider Mr Giles so "exceptional" if you put your life on the line in following this leader's orders?Chief Miller came from the trenches, worked his way through a department for the experience that an effective leader should possess.I believe he is fully qualified to perform his job, regardless of what city or state he calls home.He is respected by most of the TPD rank and file because he respects them. Mr Giles may claim, but cannot support any proof that his 28 years experience ever put him in charge of a fire truck coming to save your family.Education is important, but experience is a great educator.Ever seen a book put out a fire?Maybe someone should check the resume & background of Mr Giles,is selling real estate a good education for fire chief?

Posted by: Rudy Location: Topeka on Sep 13, 2007 at 10:50 AM
The firefighters need to quit whinning about the attempts to break up the good ol' boy system in place at the fire department. Promotions based soley on senority benefit no one except the old guy who thinks it's "his turn" to get a pay raise before he retires. I'm just curious where & when they (the firefighters) take these all important votes of no confidence on Chief Giles...was it at Maximus while working out on-duty during one of the only 9-10 days they work a month! By the way, who pays for those memberships at Maximus anyway? Perhaps you could workout during one of your other full-time jobs that you are at when not on-duty as a firefighter. Yeh, I vote that you workout when not on-duty as a firefighter. Perhaps that's why you want to get rid of the Chief and bring in a good ol' boy!

Posted by: Jeff Location: Topeka on Sep 13, 2007 at 10:45 AM
I respect Mr. Ogle's right to state his opinion. However, I do want to point out it is just his opinion. I also want to strongly object to the statement that the firefighters in Topeka are unhappy with Chief Giles as leader "... primarily because neither was born here, neither was raised here, neither worked their entire career here." That is absolutely false. There are many reasons ranging from his lack of understanding of fire fighting tactics to his lack of support for the people that work under. A fire chief needs to understand the the fire service and the challenges that face his people everday. That can only come from experience that this chief does not have. If you can't believe that look into his background (not his resume, his actual experience). And to Sam regarding his statement here, firefighters go the extra mile everyday. These men and women keep you and your family safe. They will show up everytime you need them and do their best no matter who the fire chief is.

Posted by: Jennifer Location: Topeka on Sep 13, 2007 at 09:37 AM
People can say all they want from the outside looking in because they have no idea about what it is like to be a part of an organization or department that is ill managed or ran. You, Mr. Ogle, are not part of the organization but are by all means entitled to your opinion, but you know what they say about opinions... What should matter is the opinions of those that are in the department because they are the ones that are effected by ill management. They are not saying that just because he is not from here or from the department that he cannot lead they are saying that he is not doing a good enough in several different aspects. We should all listen to what they have to say as they are the ones most effected by their leader.

Posted by: Stefanie Location: Topeka on Sep 13, 2007 at 08:30 AM
WOW! Do you think because you work at the "Kansas News Leader" that it makes you an expert on what goes on here? I'm sorry Mr. Ogle but you have no idea what kind of leader these men are or aren't. Mr. Giles is a politician, he makes the part look good but what does he do to support the firefighters? NOTHING! He looks for every opportunity to work against them, not communicate with them and at last resort, use them as scape goats. Ask Mr. Giles why he didn't fight to give his firefighters raises but did a great job at getting himself and his deputy chiefs VERY NICE raises?! A chief is supposed to lead, to inspire and in worse cases, re-direct. You show me an instance when this man has done any of those things then you can talk to me about what a great leader he is. Go back to your newsroom and write your "opinionated" stories and we'll go back to saving lives. Thanks!

Posted by: Sam Location: Topeka on Sep 13, 2007 at 07:53 AM
It's interesting to say you have no confidence in a leader. What is the basis? Most are being very "vague" and some are just "bandwagon jumpers". Leaders in all walks of life are sometimes critized because they try to make things better and more cost-efficient and most of the time, that doesn't please too many people. Are the same people who critize been trying to better their departments? Go the "extra mile"? Or are they just trying to get away with trying to do as little as is expected of them? I say, "Don't critize". Try and go the extra mile yourself and make a difference. If you have no confidence in your leaders, what's your excuse? Have you been trying your utmost best to better serve your community?

Posted by: Bob Location: Topeka on Sep 12, 2007 at 10:02 PM
Just curious on where you get your information Mr. Ogle? What makes you think that Chief Giles is an exceptional leader?, I believe that over 96% of the Topeka Fire Department gave a vote of 'no confidence last year, doesn't that tell you what kind of leader this Chief is? Maybe before you make comments like this you should get your facts straight.

Posted by: Dave Location: Topeka on Sep 12, 2007 at 09:04 PM
It is easy for someone from the outside or a person who doesn’t have all of the facts to say what was said. Speaking from the inside and from someone who is actually under the command of one of these individuals, it is different. With all due respect, in the news business leaders are about as interchangeable as car parts are from make to another. Public safety is not the same ballgame. I am not saying that a person from a different city can't come in and lead a department. However, police and fire suppression for the most part has everything to do with tactics. I don’t know about Chief Miller, but in the case of the fire chief, he is a good administrator, but he has no grasp of the day to day operations of the fire department. He has no idea what it is like to make a call from the seat of a fire truck when there are real lives at stake. He probably has more education than most people on the job; however that does not translate into leadership skills. This in only one of the aspect but there are many others that disqualify Chief Giles. My point is there is more to it than just being from out of town. It has everything to do with not having confidence in a person who really doesn’t understand the tactical aspects of the job.

Posted by: Nikki Location: Topeka on Sep 12, 2007 at 11:35 AM
Excellent perspective and truth! Glad we have both chiefs here in Topeka and willing to overlook narrow-mindedness to help our city be safe!