Charlotte's Deputy Fire Chief Pete Skeris is set to bring a new dimension to firefighting leadership after being selected for the 2025 Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI). As reported by Charlotte's city news, Skeris is one of just 28 chosen for the initiative, which targets the development of fire service leaders for top roles.
According to the same source, the FSEDI program, developed by the International Association of Fire Chiefs, is an intensive year-long course tailored to give fire service executives like Skeris a skill set that includes, but is not limited to, emotional intelligence, ethical leadership, and crisis communication. Applicants this year were competitive, with nearly 300 vying for a chance to join, the prestigious program's cohort.
Regarding the selection, Skeris emphasised the significance of the program, saying, "This program is phenomenal. You’re surrounded by people with a shared purpose—leaders committed to improving their organizations and their communities." His efforts to refine his leadership skills will include the unique assignment of starting a book about himself, aiming to pen a foreword he titled "Following the Broken Sidewalk of God’s Path."
In a career spanning over three decades, Skeris has climbed the ranks from Captain to his current position of Deputy Chief of Operations. Overseeing 43 firehouses, he manages a broad range of services. Amid managing a division responsible for coordinating hazardous materials and airport firefighting operations, his leadership lessons have taught Skeris to focus on service.
"If someone called 911, it became our problem the second that call came in," he told Charlotte's city news. Such a sense of duty extends into his management style, which emphasizes providing what his team needs to excel over administrative formalities. "This can’t be about me—it has to be about us," Skeris added.
Charlotte Fire's Chief Reginald Johnson, himself a past participant of the FSEDI program, affirmed Skeris's qualifications, acknowledging his humility and commitment. With Skeris's ongoing participation in the national leadership program, the aim is to foster a service-centric approach that prioritizes the community's needs.
