9. Government Relations Flashcards
In order to be effective advocates for the fire service, chief officers must understand the __________ decision making process and be able to develop strong relationships with elected officials and their designated representatives. (p. 215)
political
__________ programs include, but are not limited to, the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS), and International Fire Services Accreditation (ISFAC). (p. 215)
accreditation
The __________ is a nonpartisan policy institute that educates members of Congress about the needs and challenges of our nation’s fire and emergency services organizations. (p. 216)
congressional fire service institute
Members of Congress often turn to __________ for information on a range of organization issues such as member health and safety, training, and equipment needed to perform their duties. (p. 216)
congressional fire service institute
__________ the community about the operations of an organization during nonemergency situations will make it more likely that they will turn to that same information source during public emergencies. (p. 216)
educating
A __________ relations program markets the organization to the community. (p. 216)
public
Which program has the purpose to acquaint the community with the organization’s mission and to show the officers, members, facilities, equipment, and operations in the best possible light? (p. 216)
public relations
The __________ is responsible for providing information about the organization and its operations to the media and the public. They should know information such as the mission statement of the organization. (p. 216)
public information officer (PIO)
Fire officers and other public officials have __________ their organizations reputations when they have hidden information or distorted facts. (p. 218)
harmed
A __________ relationship with members of the media will aid in the dissemination of accurate information to the public that will portray the organization positively. (p. 218)
positive
__________ members represent the public and have a right and an obligation to access events that involve public safety officials. (p. 218)
media
The media and fire and emergency services organization personnel at emergency incidents should establish a __________ to reduce potential conflict by creating and distributing incident scene protocols. (p. 218)
media task group
The chief officer should allow properly __________ media personnel to witness and document emergency scenes in a safe manner, even when the general public has been denied access. (p. 218)
credentialed
Who should the media identify themselves to when they arrive at the incident? (p. 218)
incident commander or PIO
Allow media to maintain __________ control over their own stories, including any photos and videos taken at the scene. (p. 219)
editorial
Public safety officials should not restrict news photographers from taking photographs as long as they are not creating a _________. (p. 219)
safety hazard
Journalists may not restrict, __________, or oppose a public safety officer in the lawful execution of his or her duty. (p. 219)
obstruct
Police and fire officials may deny entrance to a __________ or incident scene to protect evidence being collected and processed. Such a denial should be explained to the news media and access should be granted as soon as practical. (p. 219)
crime scene
When the public safety dictates limited media representation, media members may create a system among themselves in which groups of media members are allowed into the scene on a __________ basis. The media representatives are responsible for policing this system, and public safety officials are not responsible for settling disputes among the media. (p. 219)
rotating
Members of the news media can photograph and witness arrests and emergencies on private property if the __________ does not object to their presence. (p. 219)
property owner
Members of the organization should never attempt to censor or improperly influence the media during information gathering or before its publication, nor should any member of the organization provide classified information to the media without the permission of the organization’s __________. (p. 219)
fire chief
All members must follow the organizational policy for the __________ to the public. (p. 219)
release of information
__________ media can assist the organization in providing real-time information such as traffic alerts, weather conditions, and related safety education material to the public. (p. 220)
social
__________ officials must balance the requirements of each segment of government against the potential outcome and cost of the service. (p. 220)
elected
The __________ must not become unnecessarily involved in volatile issues or disputes between elected officials. (p. 220)
chief officer
One approach to effective communications and positive relationship building is to provide periodic __________ to officials. (p. 220)
information packets
What is the incident management system developed as a result of Homeland Security Presidential Directive, Management of Domestic Incidents? (p. 222)
national incident management system (NIMS)
What plan was created to integrate federal government prevention, preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation plans into one all-disciple, all-hazard approach to domestic incident management? (p. 222)
national response framework (NRF)
What hinges on the premise that responders should always approach every incident with the expectation that unknown hazards are likely present? (p. 222)
all-hazard response
__________ teams and relations apply at all levels of government and apply to relations within the jurisdiction, with other emergency services, with law enforcement agencies, and with federal or national agencies. (p. 222)
interagency
What is the power or right of a legal or political agency to exercise its authority over a person, subject matter, or territory? (p. 223)
jurisdiction
Within NIMS, what is established for incidents that involve multiple agencies with different jurisdictions? (p. 223)
unified command
Emergency incidents involving multiple agencies is a team effort process, allowing all agencies with geographical or functional responsibility for an incident to assign an __________ to a unified command. (p. 223)
incident commander
As incidents become more complex and involve more agencies, the need for what increases? (p. 223)
unified command
Mutual aid and __________ response agreements have created a network of organizations with compatible communications systems, centralized dispatching, joint training, compatible equipment, and standardized response procedures. (p. 223)
automatic
Who is responsible for maintaining interagency relationships, and should meet periodically to determine training needs, address challenges, and practice response plans to ensure they work? (p. 223)
chief officer
There are many __________ agencies and commissions charged with handling responsibilities such as managing the nation’s infrastructure, protecting its forests, and gathering intelligence. (p. 224)
federal
Which federal department/agency is in charge of aviation/airspace management and control, transportation safety? (p. 224)
department of transportation
Which federal department/agency is in charge of emergency public information and protective action guidance, media and community relations? (p. 224)
department of homeland security
Which federal department/agency is in charge of infrastructure protection and emergency repair, infrastructure restoration, engineering services and construction management, emergency contracting support for life-saving and life-sustaining services? (p. 224)
department of defense/U.S. army corps of engineers
Which federal department/agency is in charge of coordination of federal firefighting activities, support to wildland, rural, and urban firefighting operations? (p. 224)
department of agriculture/U.S. forestry service
Which federal department/agency is in charge of search and rescue operations, mass care, emergency assistance? (p. 224)
federal emergency management agency
Which federal department/agency is in charge of public health, medical support, mental health services, and mass fatality management? (p. 224)
department of health and human sciences
__________ agreements between the organization and levels of government ensure a coordinated response in time of crisis. (p. 225)
formal
What is something a formal intergovernmental agreement should include? (p. 226)
- agency authority and responsibility
- funding and reimbursement procedures
- response procedures
- communication systems, protocol, and procedures
- pre-incident planning and training
- post-incident evaluations
- notification procedures
Formal intergovernmental agreements are __________ documents, and the jurisdictions legal department should be involved in the development of them. (p. 226)
legal
__________ express concerns through involvement, complaints, and feedback to elected officials and the bureaucracy? They can also elect candidates who most closely match their desires and views. (p. 226)
citizens
What type of official directs organizations to provide the necessary services? Also, these officials’ tenure in office may depend upon how well they have met the desires of the constituents. (p. 226)
elected and appointed
What is an elected or appointed local official that chief officers regularly interact with? (p. 227)
mayor
According to the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), what is the most common form of local government? (p. 227)
council/manager
In this form of government, the elected council oversees the general administration, makes policy, and sets the budget. (p. 227)
council/manager
In a __________, the political process depends on involvement and feedback from the public. (p. 227)
democracy
This is a way to actively and strategically intervene in an election. Candidates and elected officials are presented with a direct policy choice and they can either risk losing or gaining these votes based on their actions on a specific issue. (p. 228)
voting blocs
What is a way that voters influence government? (p. 228)
complaints
__________ influence the political environment through direct involvement. They serve on public commissions, committees, and boards that develop plans, monitor spending, hear grievances against the government, and provide feedback on specific issues or services. (p. 228)
residents
The benefits of remaining politically _________ include the ability to work for elected officials who may represent the opposing party or view, maintain mutual respect between the elected officials and the chief officer, and maintain the image of a leader who is neither biased nor preferential. (p. 228)
neutral
This anticipates that a central authority can provide services and respond to needs using sound management principles. Chief officers participate in this process by providing accurate information, ethical leadership, and sound advice to political leaders. (p. 229)
concept of governance
The fire and emergency services __________ must be aware of all meeting dates and times of the governing body, identify agenda items that may affect the organization, prepare and compile reports on the organization’s operations, and be prepared to speak at the request of the governing body. (p. 229)
liaison
These programs allow politicians to respond with emergency units or spend a work shift at the fire station can be also excellent methods for reaching out to leaders. (p. 230)
ride-along
What is one of the most effective ways for elected officials and local media to learn about fire and emergency services? (p. 230)
spending a hands-on day as a first responder
At the local level, monitoring the ordinances and laws can be the duty of a liaison or fire prevention officer such as a fire __________? (p. 231)
marshal
The chief officer cannot be the sole supporter and advocate of community involvement and leadership. These efforts must be tied in some way to the __________ of the organization. (p. 232)
mission
Community __________ should become a core leadership value within the fire and emergency services organization. (p. 233)
involvement
Partnerships and programs that form __________ and provide services are an active approach to community involvement. These can be as innovative as the organization or community wants to make them. They can even merge formal programs with informal programs that provide an opportunity for members to be visible to the community in nonemergency situations. (p. 233)
alliances
This is an annual event that collects new, unwrapped Christmas gifts for underprivileged children. Fire and emergency service organizations have provided their facilities as collections points for many years. (p. 234)
toys for tots
This is a charitable fundraising effort on the part of IAFF, local organizations, and the Muscular Dystrophy Associations (MDA) in the U.S. and Canada. (p. 234)
muscular dystrophy association fundraiser
This program is delivered to babies, youth, and seniors. The IAFC can provide examples of such programs. (p. 234)
immunization programs
This is joint training with local hospitals, clinics, and public-health departments. Statistics indicate that the more the population is trained in this area, the greater the survival rate of cardiac arrest patients. (p. 234)
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automatic external defibrillator (AED) training
This is a means for youths in crisis to access a safe shelter. The project involves a national organization, a local community committee, a youth serving agency with trained counselors, and a network of sites where youths can gain access to the program. Fire and emergency services organizations are often key components of this partnership, offering fire stations as sites, being involved in program development, and providing volunteers who transport youths to the shelter. (p. 234)
project safe place
A mobile phone application that allows users to view and receive alerts on calls being responded to by fire and emergency services organizations. The goal is to increase the possibility that a victim in cardiac arrest will receive aid quickly. The app uses the current location of a user and will alert them if someone in their vicinity needs CPR. (p. 234)
pulsepoint
This is a summer program for middle-school youth identified by teachers and counselors as those who may benefit from a structured activity. Students report to a fire station, where they participate in activities designed to teach a healthy lifestyle and to provide options to students who may otherwise make poor life choices. Firefighters act as role models for the students. (p. 234)
Challenge the F.O.R.C.E.
Partner with a local corporation or business to provide a service. The corporate sponsor provides funding, advertising, and assistance for the fire and emergency services organization. Public visibility through advertising benefits both groups. (p. 234)
joint-sponsored programs
Formal __________ programs provide some type of service that is normally outside the primary mission of the organization. (p. 236)
community-based
Programs such as fire explorers, fire cadet, or junior members that provide an opportunity to learn about firefighting and emergency medical services as a future career choice. (p. 236)
youth programs
Inspections and installation of baby and infant seats in passenger vehicles. (p. 236)
child car seat safety programs
Used to provide emergency access to homes where residents with disabilities reside. (p. 236)
residential key box rapid entry
Classes in traffic laws and safety procedures for children riding bicycles. (p. 236)
bicycle safety training
Classes that promote responsible driving habits among young drivers and make them aware of the consequences of irresponsible driving behavior and providing social skills for coping with peer pressure. (p. 236)
teen driver safety programs
Awareness programs that can include jogging, biking, and walking events to promote healthy lifestyles and fire department members can participate with kids to promote fitness. (p. 236)
physical fitness programs
Informational opportunities to make homeowners aware of all types of safety hazards around their homes, usually provided at the same time home fire prevention inspections are performed. (p. 236)
home safety inspections
Collection points for hazardous waste materials such as paint and batteries along with recyclables. (p. 236)
hazardous materials awareness and recycling programs
Van operated and staffed with volunteers that provides grief support for families and is the liaison for the fire and emergency services organization in linking families with other social services within the city. This added service fills a gap between emergency services and the social services for individuals. (p. 236)
alternative response vehicle
