Ch. 3 the company officer’s role in the organization Flashcards
From that day forward I knew that whatever place I occupied on my departments organizational chart or whatever my job description spelled out as my duties my first and foremost responsibility over all others was.
The safety of the people on my team
There are more than (blank) fire departments in the country.
30000
The list of the largest fire departments in the United States and Canada represent less than 1% of all fire departments, they serve over (blank) percent of the population.
15
Most of America is protected by small fire departments many of them comprised entirely of (blank) members
Volunteer
Most departments are staffed by volunteer members, have one or two pieces of equipment, and serve communities fewer than (blank) people
10,000
Groups exist whenever two or more people share a (blank).
Common goal
Typically (blank) share a common goal have formal rules and have designated leaders.
Groups
NFPA’s estimates that there were approximately (blank) firefighters in the US in 2007.
1,148,800
Of the total number of firefighters 323,350 or (blank) were career firefighters.
28%
Out of the total number of firefighters 825,450 were volunteer firefighters, (blank) percent
72
Most of the career firefighters are in communities that protect (blank) or more people.
25,000
Most of the volunteer firefighters are in departments that protect fewer than (blank) people.
2,500
There are an estimated (blank) fire departments in the US?
30,185
(Blank) are really nothing more than just large groups of people.
Organizations
When studying any organization we should start by looking at the (blank)
Organizational chart
And organizational chart is only a graphic representation of what the organization should look like true or false.
True
The (blank) chart indicates the formal lines of authority and responsibility.
Organizational
(Blank) organizations exist because certain people like certain other people.
Informal
The fire department is a part of (blank) government
Local
(Blank) can be defined as a political organization comprised of individuals and institutions authorized to formulate public policy to improve the public welfare.
Government
(Blank) are empowered to establish and regulate the action of the people within their jurisdiction.
Governments
In a representative organizational chart for a city the (blank) are at the top of the chart.
Citizens
Citizens elect a (blank) to represent them.
Council
The (blank) will select the city manager
Council
The (blank) usually hires their assistant managers and department heads.
City manager
Our governments are built around the (blank).
US Constitution
The constitution authorizes the three branches of the federal government which are
The executive legislative and judicial
The (blank) government provides a variety of services to promote the general welfare of the citizens of the United States.
Federal
The (blank) Government conducts foreign relations, controls foreign and interstate commerce, provides currency, provides for a national defense, and collect taxes to pay for these activities.
Federal
The (blank) branch is compromised of the president and the various departments.
Federal
The (blank) includes the federal emergency management agency, the US fire administration and many other organizations that provide security at the borders and within our home land
Department of homeland security
The (blank) branch of the government is the US Congress, made up of the house of representatives and the Senate.
Legislative
who enacts legislation
Congress
(Blank) that passes both houses of Congress is sent to the president for approval
Legislation
If legislation is approved it becomes (blank)
Law
Booth the equal employment opportunity and the occupational health and safety administration are part of the department of labor, have rules and regulations that affect nearly every workplace and these rules are generally referred to as (blank)
Administrative law’s
Most states are governed by a government that is similar in structure to the (blank) government
Federal
State governments also have a legislative body usually made up of (blank) bodies in a judicial system
Two
Like the federal government the state governments turn many of the details of governance and providing services to the citizens over to (blank) governments
Local
Local governments can enact laws in the form of (blank)
Local ordinances
A (blank) is a law usually found in a municipal code
Local ordinance
The fire department is usually one of the departments of (blank) government
Local
what is the term for That Which must be obeyed subject to sanction or consequences by the government.
A law
The United States (blank) is responsible for passing laws.
Congress
The laws that Congress passes are called (blank)
Statutes
Federal statutes are organized into a large body of laws called the United States (blank)
Code
State legislatures enact laws which are also called statutes or (blank)
General laws
State (blank) must comply with the United States Constitution as well as the state constitution.
Statutes
On the local level, the legislative body of a municipality such as a city or town Council has the authority to pass laws called ( blank)
Ordinances
True or false ordinances must comply with both the state constitution in the United States Constitution.
True
Local ordinances cannot violate any state (blank)
Statues
At the local level what are the five forms of government
Council manager, mayor council, commission, town meeting, and representative town meeting
In the (blank) form of government , the council is the governing body of the city elected by the public, and the manager is hired by the council to carry out its policies
Council manager
In counsel -manager, the council usually consists of 5 to 9 members including a (blank) or council president who is either selected by the council or elected by the people
Mayor
Counsel-manager
The mayor is recognized as the political head of the municipality; however, he or she is also a member of the legislative body and does not have the power to (blank)
Veto
In What form of government does the council provide legislative direction and a manager is responsible for the day today administrative operation of the city.
Council - manager
Council-manager
The (blank) serves as the council’s chief advisor and is responsible for preparing the budget directing day today operations in hiring and firing personnel
Manager
What form of government provides professional leader ship at the highest level and is increasing in popularity
Council -manager
The (blank) form of government is the form that most closely parallels the US federal government with an elected legislature and a separate elected executive.
Mayor -council
Mayor - council
The (blank) duties and powers generally include hiring and firing department heads, preparation and administration of the budget, and in some cases veto power (which may be overriden) over acts of legislature
Mayor’s
The (blank) form of government, characterized by an elected governing board that holds both legislative and executive powers, is the oldest form of government in America.
Commission
The (blank) form of government is a descendent of the old English shire moot county governing board the board is usually comprised of 3 to 5 members although the numbers vary
Commission
Commission form of government
The board of (blank) is the county governing board and it serves as the head of the government.
Commissioners
What form of government is it where in many smaller towns, all the qualified voters of the town gather on a given day to elect a board of officers and to make major policy decisions?
Town meeting
True or false it takes the action of just one house of Congress and the president for legislation to become law?
False
Both
Laws that are passed by both houses of Congress and the president are (blank) laws and they become federal statutes
Statutory
Various departments within the executive branch publish rules and regulations called (blank) laws
Administrative
The 20th century could be called the century of (blank) in American democracy.
Local government
The American system of government is based on a (blank) system which divides the powers of sovereign governance between on the one hand a central or national government and on the other 50 state entities.
Federal
Throughout the 50 states how many large consolidated city/counties are there
27
Who said that local institutions are to liberty what primary schools are to science
Alexis de Tocoqueville
By the end of the 20th century (blank) governments in the United States has become the most trusted level of American government
Local
During the 1900s local governments evolved from holding the dubious distinction of the most troubled component of the American system of governance to becoming the most trusted through the (blank)
Progressive reform movement
Of the progressive reform movement, the development of the (blank) system may have been the most significant step in improving the performance and credibility of local government.
Council -manager system
Council manager communities in the United States elect an average of (blank) councilmembers
6
In appointed manager constantly must be aware that the powers of the local government belong to the (blank)
Council
T or F , an authority or responsibility assigned to the manager by the council or by the citizens through a local charter can be removed at any time , for any reason .
True
In most communities, the citizens perceive their (blank) as their most visible leader.
Mayor
Mayors in council-manager communities fulfill two critical leadership functions which are
Consensus building and guidance
Currently, 3,302 US cities with populations of 25,000 and 371 counties operate under what system of government
Council -manager
Every state has a (blank) that is the basic plan for its government.
Constitution
The (blank) of each state describes the process for making , deleting, or amending the laws.
Constitution
(Blank) is generally transmitted to the legislative body by a group or individual activity, publicity generated by interest groups or power individuals, a crisis generating action, or by personal contact.
The need for making law
A sponser introduces proposed legislation , usually Referred to as a
Bill
Sponsors of bills are usually members of one of the houses of the (blank)
Legislature
After a sponsor proposes a bill the legislative body, the chair assigns the bill to a (blank)
Committee
The (blank) of the committee has considerable discretion on what bills will be considered the order of consideration in the amount of time to debate the merits of the bill.
Chair
Many bills die in (blank)
Committee
Some legislatures have the ability to call the bill out of committee with a (blank)
Super majority
After the third reading the bill is put to a vote if it is adopted the bill is now referred to as an (blank)
Act
If the members of both houses approve the act it is presented to the (blank)
Governor
(Blank) bills are returned to the house and senate for reconsideration
Vetoed
If a (blank) majority of the legislature overrides the veto The act will become law in spite of the veto of the governor.
Super
A (blank) can be an effective tool in influencing the voting behavior of a legislator
Register lobbyist
Most states have a (blank) legislature meaning that their legislative branch is compromised of two groups of elected officials like the US Congress
Bicameral
(Blank) are statues enacted by Congress or state legislatures that authorize the creation agencies and provide the legal authority for the agency to operate
Enabling acts
(Blank) are laws that are created by administrative agencies pursuant to authority delegated by the legislature
regulations
(Blank) are rules that carry the weight of law and are designed to carry out the quasi legislative authority of the agency
Regulations
The supreme court and the federal court’s job is to make sure that the provisions of the (blank) or followed
Constitution
The federal appeals courts are concerned with matters of a (blank) nature
Constitutional
The (blank) provides safeguards that insurer an effective government balanced with democracy individual freedom and equality for all
Constitution
Most of the matters pertaining to fire protection are delegated to the (blank)
States and local government
the public fire department is part of (blank) Government
Local
The head of the fire department (fire chief) reports to the chief executive officer (blank) or to the senior elected officer (blank)
City manager
Mayor
The most common type of public fire protection in larger cities is the (blank) fire department
Public
A less common form of municipal fire protection is provided by a (blank) ,a part of the department of public safety
Fire bureau
When employees of the public safety department provide both police and fire protection the personnel are called
Safety officers
Americas fire service was once (blank) volunteer
All
Today volunteer Firefighters make up about (blank) percent of all firefighters
74
Almost half of the 74% of volunteer firefighters, serving communities with the population of less than (blank)
2500
In many states, the counties are divided into (blank) provided by state law
Fire districts
(Blank) are essentially separate independent units of government administered by some form of commission
Fire districts
(Blank) organizations may be supported by taxes subscriptions or fundraising activities
Volunteer
(Blank) firefighters comprise the largest fire department in the United States
Federal
Most federal firefighters are very actively involved with (blank) activities
Fire prevention
Fire loss on government property is usually (blank) than average
Lower
Departments that respond together should have an accountability system that emulates one another so that all members can be adequately (blank)
Tracked
An (blank) for an organization will list all the allied agencies within the jurisdiction and list what supplies and services they can offer
Emergency services plan
Until World War I paid members of fire departments worked a (blank) duty system with limited time off
Continuous
By World War II most departments had adopted a (blank) system
To platoon
Today the most common arrangement is to have (blank) platoons each working 24 hour shifts for an average of approximately 56 hours per week or 10 days per month
Three
The Nation’s fire departments firefighters respond to nearly (blank) calls for assistance annually
20 million
Fire calls make up then less than (blank) percent of the total 20 million call volume
10
Most US fire departments are volunteer however most of the US is protected by (blank) firefighters
Paid
Three out of every four US fire departments are all volunteer fire departments such departments protect (blank) of US residence
1/4
One in 17 departments is all paid, these departments protect (blank) percent of the nations population
40
Rural Communities with a population of less than 2500 are 99% protected by (blank) or mostly (blank) departments
All volunteer
Volunteer
The size and type of fire department in a given community is usually related to community (blank)
Size
To function effectively a fire department must have an (blank) that shows the relationship between the various divisions and activities.
Organizational plan
The (blank) plan should be based on functional activities such as prevention emergency operations and support activities.
Organizational
The (blank) plan defines the strategy of the organization and gives direction by Allocating resources to pursue the strategy.
Strategic
Until World War I paid members of the fire department worked a (blank) system.
Continuous duty
By World War II most departments had adopted a (blank) system
To platoon
Today is the most common working arrangement is do you have (blank) platoons each working 24 hour shifts in some sort of rotation.
Three
30,000 US departments respond to nearly (blank) number of calls for assistance annually.
20 million
Fire calls make up less than blank (percent) of the 20 million call volume.
10
Most US fire departments are (blank) fire departments
Volunteer
Most of the United States is protected by (blank) firefighters
Paid
Three of every four US fire departments are all (blank) fire departments
Volunteer
All volunteer departments protect (blank) of US residents
1/4
(Blank) in 17 departments is all-paid
One
All paid departments protect (blank) percent of the nations population
40
Rural communities (populations of less than 2500) are (blank) percent protected by all volunteer or mostly volunteer departments
99
The size and type of fire department in a given community are usually related to
Community size
The strategic plan is often defined as a (blank) to (blank) year plan
3
5
As the (blank) of the department increases the number of relationships increases in the effort required to coordinate their efforts grows accordingly.
Size
There should be a (blank) description for every position in the Organization including chief officer’s
Job
The (blank) should identify the skills required, the principal work expected, and the working relationships.
Job description
A (blank) is a well established tradition and helps foster relationships.
Well prepared dinner
Strong leader ship and open communications are vital to the success of any (blank)
Organization
Most organizations have a (blank) with one person in charge and an increasing number of subordinates at each level as you move downward in the organization.
Pyramid structure
(Blank) are usually tasked in their job description with providing all the services required both for the department itself and for the public they serve.
Fire chiefs
To make things work well the chief (blanks) some of the responsibility to the subordinates in the organization
Delegates
The size and function of the senior staff will vary based on the size of the department and on some thing called (blank)
Corporate attitude
Departments with more than (blank) % of their employees in staff assignments should look at the way they are doing business.
10
The (blank) staff represents middle-management
Senior
The (blank) staff fill many of the middle management positions within the department
Senior
(Blank) chiefs usually represent the middle management layer of the fire department
Battalion
Regardless of where you are in the organization the treatment of your (blank) in command is important
Second
Many company officers are supervisors I’ll firefighters and as a result I referred to as (blank) or (blank)
First line or front line supervisors
Most (blank) are assigned to companies and work at fire stations
Firefighters
An officer with (blank) authority manages one or more of the functions that are essential to the departments mission
Line
In addition to authority officers also have (blank) and (blank)
Accountability and responsibility
The (blank)commander has complete responsibility for all fire department functions within a certain part of the city.
Division commander
In the field of industrial management (blank) refers to the activities that accomplish the manufacturing process
Line functions
Line function is synonymous with providing (blank) services
Emergency
The (blank) staff is essential in the overall operation of the department and without it, the fire department will quickly grind to a halt
Support
(Blank) functions are those activities that support the departments basic purpose
Staff
Traditional (blank) functions include fire prevention and support services
Staff
The terms (blank) and (blank) are traditionally used to describe the activities Of many organizations including fire departments
Line
Staff
In some departments (blank) plays a greater role than fire suppression both in terms of the daily lives of the firefighters and in the way the department serve the community
Fire prevention
The (blank) division may have separate sections dealing with inspections investigations life safety education plans review and systems testing
Prevention
(Blank) services may include communications payroll personnel research recruiting resource management safety, health, and training
Support
In some departments the second level officers are deputies and in other departments they are referred to as (blank)
Assistant chiefs
The (blank) officer is usually the first supervisory level in a fire service organization
Company
The (blank) provides the tone of the company in terms of morale preparedness and service delivery
Company officer
(Blank) enhances your ability to think through complex issues and to effectively express your ideas to others
Education
It is the (blank) who enforces department policies, grants the firefighters requests, and evaluates their performance
Company officer
(Blank) informally evaluate their company officers based on how well they perform their duties
Firefighters
Firefighters evaluate how well the (blank) can perform their job how well they apply policy and how fair They are in their actions among the members of the company
Company officers
The (blank) relates to the continuous chain of command in the organization
Scalar principal
The (blank) principal suggest that every level in the organization is considered in the flow of communications authority and responsibility
Scalar
Most fire departments are established along the traditional lines of a (blank) organization
Scalar
When companies are divided into geographic areas and assigned to acspecific task, this illustrates the first principle of organization, (blank)
Division of labor
(Blank) allows an organization to divide large jobs into specific smaller tasks
Division of labor
No specific responsibility should be assigned to more (than) blank person
One
The company officer should avoid over managing fire fighter activities at the station level which is called (blank)
Micromanaging
The principle of span of control is simple. Do not have too many (blank)
Subordinates
The number of people you can effectively supervise is usually referred to as the (blank)
Span of control
Generally the number for Span of control is between (blank) with five being the optimal span.
3 to 7
Assigning certain duties to subordinates is called (blank)
Delegation
It is important that the delegation be mutually (blank) and that (blank) be provided along with the responsibilities
Understood
Authority
(Blank) allows dividing or sharing the work and allowing subordinates to take on part of the supervisors work
Delegation
Good supervisors take the heat from their supervisors without passing it down to (blank)
Subordinates
(Blank) is an important empowerment tool and generally make subordinates feel better about their jobs
Delegation
The number one initiative listed In the national fallen firefighters life safety initiatives declares that the fire service needs a (blank)
Cultural change
It is the (blank) duty to lead subordinates through the ever revolving door of change
Company officer’s
To lead subordinates through (blank) the company officer must educate himself, celebrate the past, and involve them in the process
Change
The process of introducing change starts with an evaluation of
Why a change is considered necessary
After evaluating why the change his considered necessary next the company officer should evaluate
How to change will affect the organization as a whole
A (blank) is usually used to monitor all changes to policies so that the differences between the new and existing policies are found.
Focus group
When the span of control is smaller, that is when supervisors have fewer people to supervise, we tend to see organizations with a narrower or (blank) structure
Taller
Many organizations are eliminating positions at the (blank) management level
Middle
Eliminating positions at the middle management level results in an organization that a appears (blank)
Flatter
Reduced (blank) and improved (blank) our results of flat or organizations
Costs
Communications
Thomas peters and Robert Waterman published (blank), it looked at some of America’s best run companies and found eight practices that were characteristics
In search of excellence
The phrase (blank) means to keep the company organization simple
Simple form lien staff
With a well developed organization that is lean and simple the next step is to develop an understanding of who is (blank) for the various functions
Responsible
Discipline is usually considered to be synonymous with (blank)
Punishment
(Blank) is the organizational and an individual responsibility to do the assigned job
Discipline
Because of (blank) companies are expected to respond to emergencies and take action in accordance with the departments policies and procedures
Discipline
Well discipline companies do both (blank) and (blank) to perform better during emergency activities
Pre-planning
Training
A (blank) organization is where everyone is at an equal Level and the organization and everyone has the opportunity to communicate with all of the others, i.e. king Arthur
Circular
Being responsible for one’s personal activities; in the organizational context, it includes being responsible for the actions of one subordinates
Accountability
Body of law created by administrative agencies in the form of rules, regulations, orders, and court decisions.
Administrative law
To Grant to another a part of the ones authority or power
Delegate
The act of assigning duties to subordinates
Delegation
system of rules and regulations
Discipline
Characteristic of organizational structures denoting the relationship between supervisors and subordinates
Line authority
Law usually found in a municipal code. in the United States these laws are Enforced locally in addition to state law and federal law
Local ordinance
Being accountable for the actions and activities having a moral and perhaps legal obligation to carry out certain activities
Responsibility
Organizational concept that refers to the interrupted series of steps or layers within an organization.
Scalar principal
Organizational principle that addresses the number of personnel a supervisor can effectively manage.
Span of control
Activities that support those providing emergency services.
Staff functions
Organizational principal where by there is only one boss
Unity of command
