Retired Chief Stresses Humility and Resilience
Former Assistant Chief Paul Conway, in a podcast interview on February 23, emphasized the importance of humility and learning from mistakes in a fire service career. Conway, who was candid about his own professional and personal setbacks, stated that self-awareness and a team-first attitude are critical for a long career. He advised that a department's legacy outlasts any single individual's accomplishments.
- Paul Conway is a third-generation firefighter who served for 31 years with the Milwaukee Fire Department, retiring as the Chief of Operations in 2012. - In addition to his time in Milwaukee, Conway also served for seventeen years with the New Berlin Volunteer Fire Department in Wisconsin. - In 1985, he founded Conway Shield, a company that has become a leading source of protective gear and safety equipment for first responders. - Conway has publicly shared his own career setbacks, including not scoring high enough on his first attempt at the lieutenant's exam, a delay that meant he had ten years on the job before being promoted. - After a Milwaukee fire lieutenant was injured in a fall during a search, Conway, through his company, donated eight thermal imaging cameras to the department to enhance firefighter safety. - He hosts a podcast called "Beyond the Shield" where he discusses his experiences and relevant topics concerning the current climate in the fire service, such as accountability and continuous improvement. - Conway has reflected on his own evolution as a leader, admitting that early in his career he was known for being a "cowboy" who was "brash, outspoken, arrogant" and used non-compliant gear. - He has emphasized that a firefighter's career is temporary and that the focus should be on leaving the organization in a better state than it was found.
