Ch2-Organizational Structure

Question 1

What traits must organizational structure accommodate

Answer 1

Teamwork 
Esprit de corps
Quality leadership
Personnel development 
Effective discipline 
Efficient operations

Question 2

All fire and emergency services must have some type of formal structure to:

Answer 2

Management framework
Define how it will plan and operate to meet its mission
How it will interact with other organizations both internal and external

Question 3

What are the basic principles of organizational structure based on theory, research, and practice

Answer 3

Scalar structure
Line and staff personnel 
Decision making authority
Unity of command 
Span of control
Division of labor

Question 4

Scalar structure

Answer 4

Having an uninterrupted series of steps of chain of command. Decisions are directed from top whereas feedback can be transmitted from bottom up.

Question 5

Line personnel

Answer 5

Deliver services to the public, fire suppression, ems, inspection, education

Question 6

Staff personnel

Answer 6

Provide support to line personnel and internal/external customers. Functions includes training, logistics, auxiliary organizations and personnel administration.

Question 7

Centralized authority

Answer 7

Decisions are made by 1 person at top of structure.

Works well in small organizations such as individual fire company

Question 8

Decentralized authority

Answer 8

Decisions are made at a lower level with the effects being reports through the structure.

Should be delegated to the lowest level possible.

Question 9

Delegation of authority

Answer 9

Process of providing subordinates with the authority, direction, and resources to complete an assignment.

Question 10

How can concerns about delegating tasks be alleviated?

Answer 10

Through a training program that builds knowledge, skills, abilities and trust.

Question 11

When assigning a task, the company officer should

Answer 11

Describe the task and it’s relationship to the overall goal or objective
Provide support for successful outcome
Identify time and safety constraints
Follow up on assigned tasks

Question 12

What are the three components to leaders intent?

Answer 12

Task
Purpose
End state

Question 13

What is unity of command

Answer 13

Each person within an organization reports to one and only person.

It’s purpose is to ensure unity of effort under one responsible commander for every objective.

Question 14

What is sidestepping

Answer 14

The process of of going around a link in the chain of command to deal with an issue

Question 15

To reduce sidestepping in the chain of command, officers should

Answer 15

Be available
Be proactive
Take action
Follow up

Question 16

What is functional supervision

Answer 16

Principle that allows workers to report to more than one supervisor.

Question 17

National incident management system- Incident command system NIMS-ICS span of control ratio versus optimum ratio

Answer 17

1 supervisor to 3-7 subordinates or function

Suggests optimum of 1-5.

Question 18

Variable that affect span or control are

Answer 18

Ability and experience of supervisor/subordinates
Nature of task
-urgency
-conditions
-complexity
-rate
-similarity/dissimilarity 
Proximity of subordinates to the supervisor and each other
Ease of communications
Consequences of mistakes

Question 19

The fire and emergency services use division of labor to:

Answer 19

Assign responsibilities
Prevent duplication of effort
Make specific, clear cut assignments

Question 20

What are the two distinct associations regarding jurisdiction.

Answer 20

Response area served

Authority that gives them legal right to exist

Question 21

What are common public jurisdictions that provide fire and emergency service protection

Answer 21

Municipal
Fire district
Federal
County
State/provincial 
Tribal

Question 22

How does the company officer make the best possible use of available resources

Organizational structure

Answer 22

Protecting personnel/equipment
Conserving materials/supplies
Plan for cost effective use of resources
Protect the organization