Ch 12. Public Policy Analysis Flashcards
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)
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
Personnel make up over ____ of the career FES budget. (167)
80%
____ may allow one to anticipate needs and forestall problems for the future. (165)
advanced planning
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)
adequate time and the big picture policy analysis
The majority of emergency actions taken by first arriving companies need to be scripted to guarantee ___. (165)
the same results each time
In many cases, a plan or policy can be implemented less painfully by ___. (165)
incremental adjustment
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)
making big changes
One successful method for determining future plans is to use ___, also known as strategic planning. (165)
public policy analysis
Strategic planning is normally conducted at the ____ level. (165)
department
[Strategic planning] identifies the department’s ___, ___, and ___. (165)
vision, mission, and strategies
Generally [strategic planning] is conducted by an appointed task force of ___. (165)
FES officials and senior members
Strategic planning can help identify where the organization is at the present time and ___. (165)
where a new vision can take the organization in the future
To implement the strategic plan, ____ should be prepared and monitored on a monthly basis. (165)
tactical plans
The budget and planning processes are a ____ cycle. (166)
continuous and inseparable
Plans should dictate the items place in the ___. (166)
budget
The budget is the process of funding the ___. (166)
plans
____ is always a good way to gain respect from elected officials. (166)
proactivity
For medium to large FES departments and EMS organizations, budget preparations should start ____. (166)
at the lowest feasible level of the organization
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)
division chiefs
To carry out a public policy analysis, ____ must be measured. (166)
outcomes
A/an ____ is a measured benefit to stakeholders, created as a direct result of dollars spent by the organization. (166)
outcome
Because some outcomes are based on relative or subjective items, the accuracy of the outcome can often be evaluated by ____. (167)
looking at efficiency, responsiveness, or equity.
Personnel make up over ___ of the career FES budget. (167)
80%
Providing ___ is the key to a fast, coordinated response to an emergency incident. (167)
on-duty crews
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)
10%
The ____ has the greatest impact on response time for an FES department. (168)
number of fire stations serving an area
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)
80 seconds;
4 minutes;
90%
To be successful at maintaining the department’s budget and adding enhancements when needed, it is very important to understand ____. (169)
the approval process
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)
common sense and solid research
If ___ can be used to support the budget request, it is easier for elected officials to justify their vote. (169)
a national consensus standard
With the use of ___, there is the understanding that a group of experts derived consensus to determine the level of protection needed. (169)
national standards
At the local level, consensus building must start with ___ or ___. (169)
the municipal administrator or elected officials
[With regards to consensus building], the chief officer should begin by ____. (169)
preparing a list of all those people and groups who could influence the final decision, such as firefighters’ unions or volunteer fire associations
The administrator’s presentation should be easy to understand and include ___. (171)
common sense arguments
If a chief lacks presentation experience, he may want to ____. (171)
practice the presentation in front of a friend or staff member or videotape the simulated presentation and review the recordings
There are 2 different types of situations to practice: (171)
1) the prepared presentation
2) the response to the questions at the public hearing
From practice, the chief should be able to maintain a positive, confident appearance that reflects ___. (171)
professional ability and credibility
[in public policy presentations], state the justification in ___ terms. (171)
positive
____ is distracting and prevents the speaker from maintaining eye contact. (171)
Reading
Many people relate eye contact to ___. (171)
honesty and sincerity
Scan the officials without staring, which usually involves eye contact of about ___. (171)
6-8 seconds
A ___ may give an indication of their reaction to the presentation, and the presentation can then be adjusted accordingly. (171)
glance at their eyes and facial expressions
The meaning behind the old saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” also applies to the use of ____. (172)
analogies
Include ____ such as handouts, charts, slides, and videos. However, make sure they do not distract from the main presentation. (172)
visual aids
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)
5-10 minutes
The chief should ___ to get to know all the officials before the presentation. (172)
have 1 on 1 meetings
At the end of the [public policy] presentation, ask for questions. Answer ____. Keep to ____. If the answer does not come to mind, ____. (172)
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
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)
250
It is important that the source providing the statistics is ___ and ___. (174)
credible and reliable
Although many reported studies are accurate, the chief should be aware that some may be structured with ___. (174)
a narrow focus toward a preferred outcome
Each valid statistical conclusion from a random sampling study should have a ___ reported. (174)
confidence level
Consider each study and its conclusion using ___ before incorporating it into your public policy analysis. (174)
common sense
Administrators can use ___ to learn from others’ experiences. (174)
case studies
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)
anecdotal evidence
____ can provide the justification needed when the leader of a fire department or EMS organization is faced with scarce resources. (174)
Formal policy analysis
Program budgeting, sometimes referred to as ___, is not a formal part of the budget process but rather a separate policy analysis. (174)
Planning, Programming, and Budgeting System (PPBS)
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)
Program budgeting (aka PPBS)
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)
Program analysis
Program analysis should be used only for those problems that ___. (175)
have big impact on the services the department delivers
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)
a task force
The ___ leads the task force and defines the problem to study. (175)
FES or EMS administrator
[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)
1) Brainstorm
2) Evaluate
3) Implement
[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)
1.5 miles
The break-even point in a cost-benefit analysis for an ISO rating is somewhere around ___. (176)
a Class 4 rating
___, 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)
Baby boomers
____, born between 1980 and the early 2000s, is characterized by egotism, vanity, pride, or selfishness. (177)
Generation Y or the Millenial Generation
There may be conflicts between the member’s wants and the citizen’s needs; the administrator must make it clear that ____ comes first. (177)
the public
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)
freelancing
If there is a need for policy analysis or change in operations for emergency service, ____ is not a good idea. (177)
empowerment
