On Saturday, June 28, 2025, the Volunteer Fire-Rescue-EMS Division proudly hosted a dynamic leadership development course titled "Leading with Character," presented by Top Tier Instruction, LLC. This full-day training brought together dedicated members from the Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department, Huntingtown Volunteer Fire Department, St. Leonard Volunteer Fire Department, Calvert Advanced Life Support, and the Public Safety Dive Team for a collaborative and inspiring experience.

The training focused on building leadership capacity through the lens of five essential principles:

1. **Integrity** – Leading with honesty and strong moral values, even when no one is watching.
2. **Humility** – Embracing continuous learning and recognizing the strength in others.
3. **Empathy** – Understanding and connecting with others to build stronger teams.
4. **Servant Leadership** – Putting the needs of the team and the mission above self.
5. **Perseverance** – Staying resilient and adaptable in the face of challenges.

Using real-world emergency service scenarios, participants learned to apply these leadership fundamentals in high-pressure situations. Through interactive discussions, breakout activities, and reflective exercises, attendees walked away with practical tools to better support their teams, enhance communication, and model effective leadership both on and off the scene.

This training not only strengthened individual leadership skills but also fostered camaraderie across agencies, reinforcing our shared commitment to excellence in public safety and emergency response. We thank Top Tier Instruction, LLC for delivering such a powerful and impactful session — and we look forward to continued professional growth in the months ahead!