fire & emergency services administration chapter 2 introduction to administration
TRANSCRIPT
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
Chapter 2
Introduction to Administration
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
Effective Administration
• Requires two major skills: management and leadership– Management prepares the
organization and its members to accomplish existing goals.
– Leadership, at the organizational level, is the process of attaining new innovative goals along with needed resources.
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
Management and Leadership
• A good leader– often thinks about the future and how
things can improve.– is a risk taker.– is courageous.– is undisturbed by unsubstantiated
criticism.– is confident.
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
Organizational Monopoly
• Unique way to look at public safety agencies
• One provider has complete control of the market
• Illegal unless government-regulated or provided
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
Impact of Politics on FES
• The foundation of the U.S. representative form of government
• Not perfect, but many elected officials are heavily influenced by the voters.
• Many voters are concerned about taxes.– You can count on elected officials
questioning any request for additional funding for the department.
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
Sources of Political Power
• Two types: informal and formal• Each can be very effective at
blocking any legislative or funding proposals.
• Fairness, honesty, responsiveness, openness, and accountability will build a strong bond with the public, elected and appointed officials, and influential citizens.
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
Characteristics of the Political Process
• Made up of many individuals• Have a good understanding of each
elected official’s position.– Know their positive and negative “hot
buttons.”– Do they have any issues that they strongly
support?– Are they candidates to be champions for the
fire and emergency services?
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
The Political Challenge
• Local politics by design resists change and increased spending.
• Any attempt to implement progressive change will take courage, sacrifice, and determination.
• Criticism must be expected. – It is generally impossible to make everyone
happy.
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
Administrative Tools for Accountability
• Administrative responsibilities– Analyzing, reviewing, creating,
deciding on, and enforcing rules and regulations for the organization
• Conformance to standard operating procedures (SOPs) for emergency operations
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
Rules and Regulations
• Enforcement is one of the most difficult duties of an administrator.
• There is always a minority that will resist rules, especially newly issued ones.
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
Mission-Driven Bureaucracy
• Lack of focus is usually caused by a defective organization and its administrative rules.
• Too many administrative rules can keep an organization from being mission- or customer-focused.
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services
• Many are independent private corporations.
• They are self-regulating without accountability to elected municipal officials.
• Numbers are declining.
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
Volunteer Officers
• Most are elected by membership.• Chiefs are typically elected for 1-
year terms.• Conflicts of interest are common.• Seems to work best when officers
are appointed similar to paid fire officers.
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
Career Fire Chiefs
• Loyalty may be pulled in three directions.– Elected/appointed officials (the
bosses)– Employee groups (friends)– The public (customers)
• It is difficult to stay independent.• At times, it may be very lonely.
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
Professional Administrators
• For both career and volunteer• Should be similar to other
professions• Training, education, and experience• Helpful when in budget competition
with other agency’s leaders
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
Networking
• Process of getting fair, accurate, and unbiased advice and feedback.
• On potential controversial decisions, confidential discussions are imperative.
• Locally, this type of advice may be impossible to attain.
• Build the network of contacts from conferences, college classes, and National Fire Academy courses.
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
Modern Organizational Theory
• Contemporary management theories may not be appropriate for emergency services.
• The fire and emergency services are truly unique.
• Our service depends on teams of workers operating in a very short time frame, with no opportunity for a second try.
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
Staff-Line Distinctions
• Can be the source of disagreements in the administration
• Each division, section, or bureau will look after their own first, and the department second.
• 24-hour shift vs. day work
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
Supervision
• With most of the members in multistation fire departments in different geographic locations, constant supervision by chief officers is not possible.
• Managing by Walking Around (MBWA) is a great technique to bridge this geographic breach.
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
Bargaining Power
• Knowledge and skill in debating are critical.
• Be prepared, informed, and patient.• Use valid justification and data.• Professional reputation must be solid.• Safety and professional standards are
excellent support for a new vision or policy.
• Proof is power.
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
Informal Organizations
• Sometimes effective at initiating and facilitating resistance or support for change
• May provide valuable information to help achieve acceptance
• Approach these organizations using arguments containing professional judgment and solid research
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
Presidential Power• The trials and tribulations of U.S.
presidents can help identify effective FES administration techniques.
• The direct order• Influence can rest on the ability to
persuade and convince others.• Discipline may be necessary for a small
number of members who do not comply.
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
Professional Reputation
• To achieve a solid reputation– Build an experience base.– Learn the skills necessary for the job using a
combination of training and experience.– Stay physically fit.– Acquire a formal education.– Stay current by attending conferences and
seminars and by reading periodicals, newspapers, and texts.
– Visit other FES organizations.– Lead by example.
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
Feedback from Staff
• Poor decisions are sometimes caused by imperfect information.– Happens when staff are reluctant to make a
negative argument or observation.• Sometimes staff can be hesitant to relay bad
news to the boss.– Far better to have this information before
the decision; a bad decision may end up in the chief being fired!
• Administrators should encourage private staff input.– Not a sign of disloyalty but is actually very
helpful.
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
Ultimate Power
• Do not underestimate the power of the chief to initiate change.
• The chief has the ability to set the agenda for change in the organization.
• It is a dynamic process that takes courage and detailed preparation.
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
Checklist for the Administrator (Page 1 of 2)
• How is your professional reputation?• Are you knowledgeable about all
aspects of emergency operations?• Do you have the appropriate formal
education?• Can you lead by example?• Can you gather all the facts you
need to make an informed decision?
Fire & Emergency Services Administration
Checklist for the Administrator (Page 2 of 2)
• Do you really know what is going on in your department and community?
• Can you schedule and set an agenda for change that is reasonable and evenly paced?
• Will the change improve the service to the public (customer)?
• Will you take risks for the sake of making real progress in improving service to the public?