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 Departments• 30,000 Departments

• 1.2 Million Firefighters

• 200,000 Career

• 1 Million Volunteers



Fire Department Types

• Includes the following:– Volunteer

– Combination

– Public safety

– Career

– Industrial fire brigades– Contract fire protection service



Volunteer Fire Department• 90% of all departments• Called paid call or on call• First fire departments • Still protects a large percentage of the

population (42%)• 94% protect fewer than 25,000• 50% protect fewer than 2,500• 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

Education

department chief

department types

department chain of

department services

department administration

department concept

type of department

department police