Ch2-Organizational Structure Flashcards
What traits must organizational structure accommodate
Teamwork Esprit de corps Quality leadership Personnel development Effective discipline Efficient operations
All fire and emergency services must have some type of formal structure to:
Management framework
Define how it will plan and operate to meet its mission
How it will interact with other organizations both internal and external
What are the basic principles of organizational structure based on theory, research, and practice
Scalar structure Line and staff personnel Decision making authority Unity of command Span of control Division of labor
Scalar structure
Having an uninterrupted series of steps of chain of command. Decisions are directed from top whereas feedback can be transmitted from bottom up.
Line personnel
Deliver services to the public, fire suppression, ems, inspection, education
Staff personnel
Provide support to line personnel and internal/external customers. Functions includes training, logistics, auxiliary organizations and personnel administration.
Centralized authority
Decisions are made by 1 person at top of structure.
Works well in small organizations such as individual fire company
Decentralized authority
Decisions are made at a lower level with the effects being reports through the structure.
Should be delegated to the lowest level possible.
Delegation of authority
Process of providing subordinates with the authority, direction, and resources to complete an assignment.
How can concerns about delegating tasks be alleviated?
Through a training program that builds knowledge, skills, abilities and trust.
When assigning a task, the company officer should
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
What are the three components to leaders intent?
Task
Purpose
End state
What is unity of command
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.
What is sidestepping
The process of of going around a link in the chain of command to deal with an issue
To reduce sidestepping in the chain of command, officers should
Be available
Be proactive
Take action
Follow up
What is functional supervision
Principle that allows workers to report to more than one supervisor.
National incident management system- Incident command system NIMS-ICS span of control ratio versus optimum ratio
1 supervisor to 3-7 subordinates or function
Suggests optimum of 1-5.
Variable that affect span or control are
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
The fire and emergency services use division of labor to:
Assign responsibilities
Prevent duplication of effort
Make specific, clear cut assignments
What are the two distinct associations regarding jurisdiction.
Response area served
Authority that gives them legal right to exist
What are common public jurisdictions that provide fire and emergency service protection
Municipal Fire district Federal County State/provincial Tribal
How does the company officer make the best possible use of available resources
Organizational structure
Protecting personnel/equipment
Conserving materials/supplies
Plan for cost effective use of resources
Protect the organization
