Watertown Fire Department Strengthens Team Culture with Partner2Learn
Recruitment and retention are challenges every fire service leader faces. For Chief Reynen and the Watertown Fire Department, the solution wasn’t just about hiring; it was about building a strong, unified team culture.
Investing in People to Reduce Turnover
The cost of turnover can reach $20,000-$30,000 per employee. Chief Reynen knew that focusing on employees and giving them the tools they need would pay dividends. Unlike many industries, fire service is more than an eight-hour job; it’s a family environment. That’s why having a coach and a partner to guide the team was essential.
Building Strengths-Based Leadership
Chief Reynen introduced CliftonStrengths to bring the organization together. Partner2Learn facilitated individual coaching sessions and a team workshop with the officer group. The impact was immediate. Strengths became a part of daily conversations.
Seeing the success, the department invested in all line staff, providing assessments and one-on-one coaching, followed by workshops for each crew. This initiative laid the foundation for something even bigger: creating a mission, vision, and values for the department.
A Clear Roadmap for the Future
For the first time, the department had a vision. “This is the first time I’ve known where we were going as a fire department,” one team member shared. That clarity showed staff that leadership was investing in them and that they mattered.
Equipping Teams for Healthy Relationships
Firefighters share meals, workouts, and downtime. Without the right tools, conflicts can fester. Partner2Learn helped the department develop conflict resolution skills and foster respect for individual differences. Instead of burying problems, the team learned to have healthy, productive conversations.
A Program Worth Recommending
Chief Reynen believes in the program so much that she’s recommended Partner2Learn to other city leaders. “People see that we’re investing in our staff and that they matter,” she says. For Watertown Fire Department, this isn’t just training, it’s a cultural transformation.
Your Turn: Build a Stronger Team
Ready to strengthen your organization’s culture and leadership? Partner2Learn can help you:
• Reduce turnover through employee engagement
• Align your team with a clear mission and vision
• Foster collaboration and conflict resolution
• Create a unified, empowered workforce