Copyright © 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning
Introduction to Fire Protection 3rd EditionRobert Klinoff
Introduction to Fire Protection3rd Edition
Copyright © 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning
Introduction to Fire Protection 3rd EditionRobert Klinoff
Chapter 7
Fire Department Administration
Copyright © 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning
Introduction to Fire Protection 3rd EditionRobert Klinoff
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
Copyright © 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning
Introduction to Fire Protection 3rd EditionRobert Klinoff
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
Copyright © 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning
Introduction to Fire Protection 3rd EditionRobert Klinoff
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
Copyright © 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning
Introduction to Fire Protection 3rd EditionRobert Klinoff
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
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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)
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Principles of Command (con’t.)
• 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
Copyright © 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning
Introduction to Fire Protection 3rd EditionRobert Klinoff
Principles of Command (con’t.)
• Exception principle– Keep supervisor advised
– No surprises• Unusual circumstances• Personnel issues• Major expense• Major incidents
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The Management Cycle
• Organized thought process to achieve desired goals of the organization (see Figure 7-2)– Planning
– Organizing
– Staffing
– Directing
– Controlling
– Evaluating
Copyright © 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning
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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
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The Management Cycle (con’t.)
• Planning– Determine objectives
– Evaluate resources needed
– Establish policies and procedures
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The Management Cycle (con’t.)
• Organizing– Incorporates resources in structured
relationship
• Staffing– Assigns personnel resources
– Staffs both line and staff functions
Copyright © 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning
Introduction to Fire Protection 3rd EditionRobert Klinoff
The Management Cycle (con’t.)
• Directing– Guides and directs subordinates
– Establishes rules, SOPs, job descriptions, and assigned duties
• Controlling– Keeps project on track– Uses budget as a control tool
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The Management Cycle (con’t.)
• 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
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Introduction to Fire Protection 3rd EditionRobert Klinoff
Fire Departments• 30,000 Departments
• 1.2 Million Firefighters
• 200,000 Career
• 1 Million Volunteers
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Introduction to Fire Protection 3rd EditionRobert Klinoff
Fire Department Types
• Includes the following:– Volunteer
– Combination
– Public safety
– Career
– Industrial fire brigades– Contract fire protection service
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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
Copyright © 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning
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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
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Public Safety Fire Department
• Police and fire combined• One chief• Answer both types of calls
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Career Fire Departments
• Prevalent in large cities• Contain all or mostly paid professionals• May have a Reserve/Cadet training program• Require testing to join
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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
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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
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Introduction to Fire Protection 3rd EditionRobert Klinoff
Industrial Fire Brigades
• Organized to provide protection in a specific location
• May be workers with fire suppression training• May be firefighters hired by company
Copyright © 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning
Introduction to Fire Protection 3rd EditionRobert Klinoff
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
Copyright © 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning
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Communications
• Face-to-face– Best method
– Allows instant feedback
• Radio– Quick when personnel are spread out
– May be garbled or not received
– No privacy
Copyright © 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning
Introduction to Fire Protection 3rd EditionRobert Klinoff
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
Copyright © 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning
Introduction to Fire Protection 3rd EditionRobert Klinoff
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