Ch 12. Public Policy Analysis

Question 1

In the book The Policy-Making Process, the concept of rational-comprehensive decision-making is explained. The FES administrator should use this decision-making process to __6__. (166)

Answer 1

1) Identify the problem
2) Rank goals
3) Identify all possible alternatives that solve the problem
4) Perform a cost-benefit analysis (if possible)
5) Perform a comprehensive analysis of various ways of solving the problem
6) Select alternatives that accomplish goals

Question 2

Personnel make up over ____ of the career FES budget. (167)

Answer 2

80%

Question 3

____ may allow one to anticipate needs and forestall problems for the future. (165)

Answer 3

advanced planning

Question 4

In the case of FES operations, it is not a lock of knowledgeable experts at the company level that is a problem; it is a lack of ___ and ____ that is needed to weigh all the pros and cons to make a valid decision. (165)

Answer 4

adequate time and the big picture policy analysis

Question 5

The majority of emergency actions taken by first arriving companies need to be scripted to guarantee ___. (165)

Answer 5

the same results each time

Question 6

In many cases, a plan or policy can be implemented less painfully by ___. (165)

Answer 6

incremental adjustment

Question 7

Incremental adjustments tend to be a safe way for policy makers to proceed with their decisions without the risk of ____ that may have unforeseen consequences. (165)

Answer 7

making big changes

Question 8

One successful method for determining future plans is to use ___, also known as strategic planning. (165)

Answer 8

public policy analysis

Question 9

Strategic planning is normally conducted at the ____ level. (165)

Answer 9

department

Question 10

[Strategic planning] identifies the department’s ___, ___, and ___. (165)

Answer 10

vision, mission, and strategies

Question 11

Generally [strategic planning] is conducted by an appointed task force of ___. (165)

Answer 11

FES officials and senior members

Question 12

Strategic planning can help identify where the organization is at the present time and ___. (165)

Answer 12

where a new vision can take the organization in the future

Question 13

To implement the strategic plan, ____ should be prepared and monitored on a monthly basis. (165)

Answer 13

tactical plans

Question 14

The budget and planning processes are a ____ cycle. (166)

Answer 14

continuous and inseparable

Question 15

Plans should dictate the items place in the ___. (166)

Answer 15

budget

Question 16

The budget is the process of funding the ___. (166)

Answer 16

plans

Question 17

____ is always a good way to gain respect from elected officials. (166)

Answer 17

proactivity

Question 18

For medium to large FES departments and EMS organizations, budget preparations should start ____. (166)

Answer 18

at the lowest feasible level of the organization

Question 19

Internal conflicts can be avoided or at least reduced by including ____ in the preparation, justification, and prioritization of the budget; this helps them to see the big picture (strategic plan) and better support the unified budget. (166)

Answer 19

division chiefs

Question 20

To carry out a public policy analysis, ____ must be measured. (166)

Answer 20

outcomes

Question 21

A/an ____ is a measured benefit to stakeholders, created as a direct result of dollars spent by the organization. (166)

Answer 21

outcome

Question 22

Because some outcomes are based on relative or subjective items, the accuracy of the outcome can often be evaluated by ____. (167)

Answer 22

looking at efficiency, responsiveness, or equity.

Question 23

Personnel make up over ___ of the career FES budget. (167)

Answer 23

80%

Question 24

Providing ___ is the key to a fast, coordinated response to an emergency incident. (167)

Answer 24

on-duty crews

Question 25

If time out of service totals more than ____ of available time during the busiest 8-hour shift, it might be time to plan for a second unit. (167)

Answer 25

10%

Question 26

The ____ has the greatest impact on response time for an FES department. (168)

Answer 26

number of fire stations serving an area

Question 27

According to the [NFPA 1710] standard, the first due company has ___ to start its response after dispatch, and ___ for travel time to ___% of emergency incidents. (168)

Answer 27

80 seconds;
4 minutes;
90%

Question 28

To be successful at maintaining the department’s budget and adding enhancements when needed, it is very important to understand ____. (169)

Answer 28

the approval process

Question 29

In general, if the administration can make arguments that are backed up by ___ and ___, there is a good chance of receiving the approval for the budget request. (169)

Answer 29

common sense and solid research

Question 30

If ___ can be used to support the budget request, it is easier for elected officials to justify their vote. (169)

Answer 30

a national consensus standard

Question 31

With the use of ___, there is the understanding that a group of experts derived consensus to determine the level of protection needed. (169)

Answer 31

national standards

Question 32

At the local level, consensus building must start with ___ or ___. (169)

Answer 32

the municipal administrator or elected officials

Question 33

[With regards to consensus building], the chief officer should begin by ____. (169)

Answer 33

preparing a list of all those people and groups who could influence the final decision, such as firefighters’ unions or volunteer fire associations

Question 34

The administrator’s presentation should be easy to understand and include ___. (171)

Answer 34

common sense arguments

Question 35

If a chief lacks presentation experience, he may want to ____. (171)

Answer 35

practice the presentation in front of a friend or staff member or videotape the simulated presentation and review the recordings

Question 36

There are 2 different types of situations to practice: (171)

Answer 36

1) the prepared presentation

2) the response to the questions at the public hearing

Question 37

From practice, the chief should be able to maintain a positive, confident appearance that reflects ___. (171)

Answer 37

professional ability and credibility

Question 38

[in public policy presentations], state the justification in ___ terms. (171)

Answer 38

positive

Question 39

____ is distracting and prevents the speaker from maintaining eye contact. (171)

Answer 39

Reading

Question 40

Many people relate eye contact to ___. (171)

Answer 40

honesty and sincerity

Question 41

Scan the officials without staring, which usually involves eye contact of about ___. (171)

Answer 41

6-8 seconds

Question 42

A ___ may give an indication of their reaction to the presentation, and the presentation can then be adjusted accordingly. (171)

Answer 42

glance at their eyes and facial expressions

Question 43

The meaning behind the old saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” also applies to the use of ____. (172)

Answer 43

analogies

Question 44

Include ____ such as handouts, charts, slides, and videos. However, make sure they do not distract from the main presentation. (172)

Answer 44

visual aids

Question 45

If using films or videos [in a public policy presentation], be careful not to use too much of the time allocated for the presentation. If necessary, review the film and limit it to no more than ___. (172)

Answer 45

5-10 minutes

Question 46

The chief should ___ to get to know all the officials before the presentation. (172)

Answer 46

have 1 on 1 meetings

Question 47

At the end of the [public policy] presentation, ask for questions. Answer ____. Keep to ____. If the answer does not come to mind, ____. (172)

Answer 47

1) truthfully and as simply as possible;
2) the facts and professional opinion;
3) Say so and offer to locate the answer after the hearing

Question 48

The more people included, the better chance of receiving an accurate prediction of the outcome for the larger group. At least ____ observations are required for a low standard of error. (173)

Answer 48

250

Question 49

It is important that the source providing the statistics is ___ and ___. (174)

Answer 49

credible and reliable

Question 50

Although many reported studies are accurate, the chief should be aware that some may be structured with ___. (174)

Answer 50

a narrow focus toward a preferred outcome

Question 51

Each valid statistical conclusion from a random sampling study should have a ___ reported. (174)

Answer 51

confidence level

Question 52

Consider each study and its conclusion using ___ before incorporating it into your public policy analysis. (174)

Answer 52

common sense

Question 53

Administrators can use ___ to learn from others’ experiences. (174)

Answer 53

case studies

Question 54

Case studies are ____ and may not meet the test of reality for larger groups; however, they can also be very powerful at persuading others that the policy analysis is valid. (174)

Answer 54

anecdotal evidence

Question 55

____ can provide the justification needed when the leader of a fire department or EMS organization is faced with scarce resources. (174)

Answer 55

Formal policy analysis

Question 56

Program budgeting, sometimes referred to as ___, is not a formal part of the budget process but rather a separate policy analysis. (174)

Answer 56

Planning, Programming, and Budgeting System (PPBS)

Question 57

This budgeting system describes measurable outcomes and gives detailed costs of every activity or program that is to be carried out in a budget. (174)

Answer 57

Program budgeting (aka PPBS)

Question 58

This systematic process, used in place of cost-benefit analysis, examines alternative means, methods, or policies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the fire department or EMS organization. (175)

Answer 58

Program analysis

Question 59

Program analysis should be used only for those problems that ___. (175)

Answer 59

have big impact on the services the department delivers

Question 60

Program analysis works best when a chief appoints ____ representing all members of the department. This is to make sure all possible solutions are discussed and considered. (175)

Answer 60

a task force

Question 61

The ___ leads the task force and defines the problem to study. (175)

Answer 61

FES or EMS administrator

Question 62

[for program analysis] A task group is called together, the problem is outlined, and the group is asked to complete an analysis and recommend several solutions. This group is given the following 3 guidelines: (175)

Answer 62

1) Brainstorm
2) Evaluate
3) Implement

Question 63

[With regards to the ISO Fire Suppression Grading Schedule], if the area served by the station is within ___ of the station, the department gets full credit for this item. (176)

Answer 63

1.5 miles

Question 64

The break-even point in a cost-benefit analysis for an ISO rating is somewhere around ___. (176)

Answer 64

a Class 4 rating

Question 65

___, born between 1946 and 1965, typically reflect values of a strong work ethic, believe in the integrity of family, are more trusting of government, and show loyalty to their employers. (177)

Answer 65

Baby boomers

Question 66

____, born between 1980 and the early 2000s, is characterized by egotism, vanity, pride, or selfishness. (177)

Answer 66

Generation Y or the Millenial Generation

Question 67

There may be conflicts between the member’s wants and the citizen’s needs; the administrator must make it clear that ____ comes first. (177)

Answer 67

the public

Question 68

With no consistency or adherence to generally accepted practices and procedures, each shift, crew, station or battalion would do its own thing. This encourages ____, which invariably ends up as a safety issue. (177)

Answer 68

freelancing

Question 69

If there is a need for policy analysis or change in operations for emergency service, ____ is not a good idea. (177)

Answer 69

empowerment