FD leadership is almost always political in nature - same with police. They answer to their boss (city administration, I.E.: mayor, City council, fire commissioner, etc.) so they (fire admin) will ALWAYS side with their bosses instead of the rank and file because that's who signs their big fat (mostly undeserved) checks. Most of those rose through the ranks to get in those positions but a lot of departments hire their chiefs from outside the department because those guys won't have any allegiance to those below them. They'll use terms like "To bring a fresh perspective" as justification for hiring outside the department - what they really mean is "This guy/gal won;t bat an eyelash when we make them fuck over their people".

FD leadership is almost always political in nature - same with police. They answer to their boss (city administration, I.E.: mayor, City council, fire commissioner, etc.) so they (fire admin) will ALWAYS side with their bosses instead of the rank and file because that's who signs their big fat (mostly undeserved) checks. Most of those rose through the ranks to get in those positions but a lot of departments hire their chiefs from outside the department because those guys won't have any allegiance to those below them. They'll use terms like "To bring a fresh perspective" as justification for hiring outside the department.