1. Human Resources Management Flashcards
What is the most valuable resource of any fire and emergency services organization. (p. 9)
people
__________ will differ in how they choose to staff their fire and emergency services organizations. (p. 9)
local jurisdictions
What is essential to human resources management, in order to project needs and anticipate challenges? (p. 10)
planning
Those responsible for projecting personnel needs should collect the following information: rank, function, and __________ of existing members. (p. 10)
assignment
__________ __________ must be based on each individual’s ability to perform the job (job proficiency) so that resources are utilized in an effective manner. (p. 12)
staffing assignments
What should contribute to the organization’s effectiveness and individual member improvement? (p. 12)
duty assignments
It is said that __________ personnel periodically can familiarize members with the occupancy hazards and the geographic response areas found in the community. (p. 12)
rotating
What is a good way to minimize burnout? (p. 12)
job rotation
What is a federal law that affects hiring practices in the United States? (p. 13)
1) Civil Rights Act of 1964
2) Affirmative Action Laws and Presidential Executive Orders (1961)
3) Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA)
4) Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehab Act)
5) Equal Pay Act of 1963
6) Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
What defines a disability as “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity?” (p. 15)
ADA
The ADA has how many titles covering different areas of public life? (p. 16)
five
1) Equal employment opportunity
2) Prohibits discrimination in Programs, activities, and services
3) Prohibits discrimination from private places of public accommodation
4) Requires phone and internet companies to provide nationwide allowing individuals with hearing and speech disabilities to communicate
5) variety of provisions relating to the ADA as a whole
A diverse workforce should: __________. (p. 18)
reflect the demographics of the community
You can distribute these at state fairs and information booths, door-to-door delivery, and direct mail. This is a marketing strategy. (p. 19)
brochures
You can attach these to apparatus, stations, and information booths. This is a marketing strategy. (p. 19)
posters and banners
This targets a specific group and modified to emphasize certain aspects of the profession. This is a marketing strategy. (p. 19)
audio/visual programs
This increases the visibility of the organization within the community. Part of the marketing strategy. (p. 20)
public training and educational events
This encourages members to recruit face-to-face with friends, relatives, and acquaintances; best used along with other methods because members tend to recruit people similar to themselves. (p. 20)
word of mouth
These agencies search the national job market for candidates, especially in the chief officer ranks. (p. 20)
executive or professional recruiting agencies
These keep the public-facing site maintained and information current. Part of the marketing strategy. (p. 20)
web sites and social media
What is required to recruit for combination and career organizations? (p. 20)
hiring announcement
What is the questionnaire on which the applicant provides basic personal information and must meet legal requirements for federal, state/provincial, and local governments? (p. 21)
application form
These are completed to ensure applicants do not have a history that may preclude them from employment. This is a thorough investigation into an applicant’s background, including employment verification, criminal records checks, and educational history. (p. 21)
background check
Which tests assess reasoning, memory, perceptual speed and accuracy, mathematical skills and reading comprehension, as well as knowledge or a particular function or job? (p. 22)
cognitive tests
What measures the physical ability to perform a particular task or the strength of specific muscle groups, as well as strength, stamina, and endurance? (p. 22)
physical ability tests
What is it called when you assess performance and aptitude on particular tasks, such as performance tests, simulations, work samples, and realistic job previews? (p. 22)
sample job tests
What tests assess the degree to which a person has certain traits or dispositions such as dependability, cooperativeness, or safety, or aim to predict the likelihood that a person will engage in certain conduct such as absenteeism? (p. 22)
personality and integrity tests
Applicants undergo a series of tests, interviews, and simulated experiences to determine their supervisory and managerial abilities. Where could these be taken? (p. 22)
assessment center
Which department may perform an initial screening interview before preparing a list of applicants for the chief officer or committee to interview? (p. 22)
human resources department
What is most often the most heavily weighed portion of the hiring process? (p. 23)
interview
What type of interview is typically formal and organized? (p. 23)
structured
What type of interview is where the interviewer asks questions which are not prepared in advance? (p. 23)
unstructured
These types of questions usually require a brief yes or no answer. What are they called? (p. 24)
closed-ended
These types of questions allow for an unlimited response from the applicant. What are they called? (p. 24)
open-ended
These types of questions require the applicants to describe how they would respond to a certain situation. What are they called? (p. 24)
hypothetical
Questions must be __________ to prevent the possibility of discrimination and potential lawsuits. (p. 24)
job-related
What guide is available to bring to the firefighter’s physician to help him or her understand the physiological demands of firefighting and the resulting health risks? (p. 26)
a healthcare providers guide to firefighter physicals
Which hiring pitfall occurs when pressure to fill a position is placed on the chief officer or team? (p. 26)
rushing
This hiring pitfall occurs when the applicant is prejudged based on considerations other than job related qualifications. (p. 26)
stereotyping
Which hiring pitfall occurs when an interviewer mentally selects applicants based on perceived similarities? (p. 26)
Similarity
This hiring pitfall occurs when an interviewer mentally makes a selection before all the other applicants have been interviewed. (p. 26)
premature selection
_________ planning should prepare all personnel for advancement at least to the next level through an established career development plan. (p. 27)
succession
What type of training is designed to prepare members at all levels for future advancement, while at the same time giving them the skills they need to excel in their current position? (p. 27)
preparatory
What is based on the length of continuous employment? (p. 28)
seniority
A quality __________ __________ is often a determining factor in a candidate decision to accept employment. (p. 28)
benefit package
A good benefits package can cost the organization __________ percent or more of the employee’s salary and represents a large portion of the overall budget. (p. 29)
40
What is considered paid time off to be used for non-job-related illness or injury? (p. 29)
sick leave/dependent sick leave
What is considered paid time off to make funeral arrangements and/or to attend memorial services for family members? (p. 29)
bereavement leave
What is it called when the employer pays into a managed retirement program in the employee’s name? The contribution is typically a percentage of the employee’s pay and the employee may or may not be required to also contribute, depending on the program. (p. 29)
retirement/pension contributions
What is it called when there is a contribution toward the purchase of health insurance for the employee? (p. 29)
health insurance
Employer paid insurance premium payable upon the death of the covered member? What is this called? (p. 29)
life insurance
What are accounts that allow the member to contribute pretax funds toward healthcare and dependent care costs? (p. 29)
flexible spending accounts
Who is responsible for developing or assigning personnel to develop standard procedures to guide the organization through a line-of-duty death? (p. 32)
chief officer
An employee may be terminated in how many ways? (p. 32)
two
Which of the two ways in which an employee can be terminated is voluntary? (p. 32)
personal choice (voluntary)
What could be the result of a disability injury, a loss of funding for the position, or disciplinary actions? (p. 32)
dismissal (Administrative)
What is the chief officer’s first duty in a termination or dismissal case? (p. 33)
attempt to alter the behavior or change the situation that required discipline
Which organization has developed model course outlines that are widely used for associate’s and bachelor’s level fire and emergency services degree programs? (p. 34)
Fire and emergency services higher education (FESHE)
Sponsored by the National Fire Academy (NFA)
Who sponsors the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education network of emergency services related education and training? (p. 34)
National fire academy
What degree program requires two academic years of study? The focus is typically to provide the student with technical knowledge and skills to be successful in the workforce. (p. 34)
associates
Which fire officer should obtain an associate’s degree? (p. 34)
fire officer II
What degree program typically takes four years of full-time study to complete? (p. 34)
bachelors
Which fire officer should obtain a baccalaureate degree? (p. 34)
fire officer III
What degree program requires two or more academic years of study beyond a bachelor’s degree and includes a thesis, creative component, or some other significant original work? (p. 34)
masters
Which fire officer should obtain a graduate level degree at an institution of higher education as accepted by the AHJ? (p. 34)
fire officer IV
What degree program requires two or more academic years of study beyond a master’s degree? This is the highest level of study. These programs allow the student to focus on a specific topic and require completion of a major original academic work called a dissertation. (p. 34)
doctorate
This involves the activity of visiting other fire and emergency services organizations and observing their operations. This provides a wider view of the services and helps to create and enhance professional networks. (p. 36)
observation
This involves the individual in an activity outside the organization. This may include membership in a civic organization, nonprofit organization, or assisting in an assessment center. (p. 36)
participation
This provides the individual with knowledge from trade and professional journals and fire and emergency services related internet e-mail distributions. (p. 36)
reading
This provides an opportunity to play a crucial role in the development of students. This allows the individual to hone their communication skills while exercising leadership, mentoring, and coaching. (p. 36)
teaching/instructing
This provides the individual a form of self-evaluation leading to personal growth. (p. 36)
analysis of past performance
What gives an individual the opportunity to identify a problem and then attempt to solve it creatively, which can lead to a solution or a better understanding of the problem? (p. 36)
innovation
Involves writing articles for professional journals or other publications. (p. 36)
publication
What is a tool to assist employees in career and personal development that has the primary purpose is to help employees reach short-and long-term career goals, as well as improve current job performance? (p. 36)
individual development plan
A broad term that can refer to a practitioner’s license, certification, or education. (p. 37)
credentialing
What program provides chief officers and other fire and emergency services leaders with the opportunity to develop leadership and management skills? (p. 37)
executive fire officer program
In order to be part of the Executive Fire Officer Program you must be a chief officer or future leader in the organization, and must have what type of degree from a nationally or regionally accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education? (p. 37)
bachelors
Who should the organization’s administration assign the task of developing and implementing a safety and health program that meets the organization’s requirements, demands, needs, and concerns? (p. 39)
health safety officer
Who sets the minimum standard for safety committees? (p. 40)
occupational safety and health administration
NFPA __________ states that the HSO is responsible for analyzing and coordinating the components of the health program. (p. 41)
1521
What is the first step in developing an accident, injury, and illness prevention program? (p. 43)
determining what hazards are present
What is a hazard that is described as being: flammable, and corrosive? (p. 43)
chemical
What is a hazard that is described as: resulting from chemical reaction, over pressure? (p. 43)
explosion
What is a hazard that is described as: such as shock or short circuit, fire, static, loss of power? (p. 43)
electrical
What is a hazard that is described as: resulting in strain, human error? (p. 43)
ergonomics
What is the hazard that can result in a collapse? (p. 43)
excavation
What is a hazard that results from a slip or trip? (p. 43)
fall
What is a hazard that is described as: resulting in physical burns, heat exhaustion, or smoke inhalation? (p. 43)
fire or thermal
What is a hazard that is described as: resulting in chafing or fatigue to slings, ropes, or belts? (p. 43)
mechanical/vibration
What is a hazard that results from equipment exceeding its design capacity? (p. 43)
mechanical failure
What is a hazard that is described as: resulting in crushing, cutting, tearing, or shearing injuries? (p. 43)
mechanical
What is a hazard can result in hearing loss or damage? (p. 43)
noise
Which is a hazard includes ionizing and non-ionizing? (p. 43)
radiation
What is a hazard that is described as: resulting from mass acceleration, falling objects, or vehicles? (p. 43)
struck by
What is the hazard that results in heat stress, exhaustion, hypothermia? (p. 43)
temperature extreme
What is a hazard that is described as: lack of lighting or obstructed vision? (p. 43)
visibility
What is a hazard that is described as: an example being snow, ice, wind, rain? (p. 43)
weather phenomena
What research agency is focused on the study of worker safety and health, and empowering employers and workers to create safety and healthy workplaces? (p. 45)
national institute for occupational safety and health (NIOSH)
Firefighter injuries are classified under __________ types of duty? (p. 46)
five
1) Responding to or returning from an incident
2) Fireground
3) Nonfire emergency
4) Training
5) Other on duty
What is a cancer-causing substance called? (p. 46)
carcinogens
What is described as physical, mental, or emotional tension caused when persons have been exposed to a traumatic event where they have experienced, witnessed, or been confronted with an event or events that involve actual death, threatened death, serious injury, or threat of physical integrity of self or others? (p. 51)
critical incident stress
What is a hazard that is described as: Initiating an action that results in contact with an object? (p. 43)
struck against
What is paid time off that may or my not accrue from one year to the next? Generally can be used in any manner the employee wishes with supervisor approval. (p. 29)
annual leave
What is considered to be payments to employees for the purchase and maintenance of clothing required to perform their daily functions? (p. 29)
uniform allotments
One of the chief officer’s most important tasks is analyzing the community’s __________ and resources to make informed hiring and promotional decisions. (p. 9)
needs
What is it called when you place information in the local print media, radio and television, and state/provincial and national trade journals? (p. 19)
advertising
Who requires that all employment testing be based on job-related criteria? (p. 22)
equal employment opportunity commission
Which committee has a purpose to conduct research, develop recommendations, study and review safety and health matters, and advise the chief officer on safety matters? (p. 39)
occupational safety and health committee
The USFA publishes an annual report listing the firefighter line-of-duty-deaths for the previous year. What is this report called? (p. 44)
firefighter fatalities in the united states
