chapter 07

Copyright © 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning

Introduction to Fire Protection 3rd EditionRobert Klinoff

Introduction to Fire Protection3rd Edition



Chapter 7

Fire Department Administration



Objectives

• Describe the six principles of command• List and describe the six components of the

management cycle• Identify the four methods of communication• Describe fire department chain of command• Fill out a typical fire department organizational

chart



Objectives (con’t.)

• Identify different fire department types• Identify the different ranks and their general

responsibilities• Explain the terms customer service, one

department concept, team building, and incident effectiveness



Introduction

• Fire administration leads and supports fire personnel in performing their functions

• The fire chief balances the needs of the community and the department with the resources available

• The fire department chief and staff follow management and command structure principles on a daily basis and in emergency situations



Principles of Command

• Unity of command– One person, one boss

• Chain of command (see Figure 7-1)– Interlinked levels of authority and responsibility

– Flows from top to bottom

– Clear lines of authority



Principles of Command (con’t.)

• Span of control– Effective supervision of subordinates

– Usually span of 3 - 7 with 5 the optimum

– Depends on complexity of operation

• Division of labor– Major division is staff and line

– One person or group cannot do it all

– Those most qualified do the job (specialists)




• Delegation of authority– Manager gives subordinates right and

responsibility to take action of a specific mission

– Mission is broken down into segments that are assignable by fire chief

– Often used at emergency scenes

– Cannot delegate responsibility for decision making




• Exception principle– Keep supervisor advised

– No surprises• Unusual circumstances• Personnel issues• Major expense• Major incidents



The Management Cycle

• Organized thought process to achieve desired goals of the organization (see Figure 7-2)– Planning

– Organizing

– Staffing

– Directing

– Controlling

– Evaluating



The Management Cycle (con’t.)

• Goals– Conceptual, nonspecific, unmeasurable

– Often included in a mission statement

• Objectives– Statements oriented toward the stated goals

with resources available

– Attainable, measurable, understandable




• Planning– Determine objectives

– Evaluate resources needed

– Establish policies and procedures




• Organizing– Incorporates resources in structured

relationship

• Staffing– Assigns personnel resources

– Staffs both line and staff functions




• Directing– Guides and directs subordinates

– Establishes rules, SOPs, job descriptions, and assigned duties

• Controlling– Keeps project on track– Uses budget as a control tool




• Evaluating– Determines whether goals and objectives are

being met

– Carried out both internally and externally

– Uses budget and accepted standards as a tool

– Ongoing process



Fire Department Types

• Includes the following:– Volunteer

– Combination

– Public safety

– Career

– Industrial fire brigades– Contract fire protection service



Volunteer Fire Department

• Called paid call or on call• First fire departments • Still protects a large percentage of the

population• Commonly paid position is driver/operator



Combination Fire Department

• Part paid and part volunteer• Often have paid officers and driver/operators

supplemented with volunteers• State and federal mandates reducing number

of this type of department due to training requirements



Public Safety Fire Department

• Police and fire combined• One chief• Answer both types of calls



Career Fire Departments

• Prevalent in large cities• Contain all or mostly paid professionals• May have a Reserve/Cadet training program• Require testing to join



Career Fire Departments (con’t.)

• Modern focus of departments– Customer service

– Internal and external

– Team building

– Incident effectiveness• Ability to function quickly and effectively when

called upon to act



Career Fire Departments (con’t.)• Rank Structure

– Chief

– Assistant/Deputy

– Division/Battalion

– Company Officer

– Driver/operator

– Firefighter

Note: Number of levels and number of personnel in

each level varies by department size



Industrial Fire Brigades

• Organized to provide protection in a specific location

• May be workers with fire suppression training• May be firefighters hired by company



Contract Fire Protection Service

• Provides fire department services (usually to a community)

• Works on a contract basis for government or fire services

• Works on a subscription basis for private sector• Nonsubscribers are billed for suppression costs



Communications

• Face-to-face– Best method

– Allows instant feedback

• Radio– Quick when personnel are spread out

– May be garbled or not received

– No privacy



Communications (con’t.)

• Written– Used when time is not a critical factor

– Maintains a record

• Electronic– Fax and modem

– Fast delivery

– Provides written record

• Cell phones have many attributes of both



Summary

• Fire administration is involved at all levels in accomplishing the mission of a department

• Administration personnel perform according to widely accepted concepts and standards

• Depending on departmental size and needs, the organization of the administration may vary widely

• Without the support of staff, the line would not be able to function effectively and efficiently

chapter 07

Health & Medicine

department chief

department types

department chain of

department services

department concept

type of department

department police

department size