Chapter 1 Introduction to the Fire Officer Flashcards
What is the standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications
NFPA 1021
What are the four Levels of Fire Officer?
1 Lieutenant
2 Captain
3 Battalion Chief
4 Administrative Chief
Requirements of a Fire Officer
Supervises and directs -Achieves goals through subordinates Prioritizes and and delegates -Administrative duties -Non-emergency duties -Emergency duties
Administrative Duties
K M P S C E C P
Keeping records Managing projects Preparing budget requests Station maintenance requests Conducting preliminary investigations Evaluating and correcting performance Completing performance appraisals Preparing news releases and reports
Non-Emergency Duties
D P D R C R D
Developing pre-incident plans Providing company-level training Delivering public education programs Responding to community inquiries Conducting inspections Reviewing reports Developing policies and procedures
Emergency Duties
S F P E D
Supervising group of firefighters Functioning as initial officer on scene Performing a scene size-up Establishing incident management system Developing and implementing IAP (incident action plan)
Emergency Duties (IAP)
Deploy resources Maintain personnel accountability Conduct the preliminary investigation Securing the scene to preserve evidence Conduct post-incident analysis
Roles and Responsibilities (1 of 2)
S T E A K C
Supervise and direct Teach members operating procedures Emergency response Assume command of incidents Evaluate employee performance Know operational procedures Complete Reports
Roles and Responsibilities (2 of 2)
P D P A F I M
Pre-incident planning Determine preliminary origin and cause Public Education Assist in fire inspections Firefighting activities Inspection of apparatus and equip Maintenance of equipment and station
The United States Fire Service
Originated as communities of citizens who responded to fires
4 Current Approaches to Fire Service in US
Volunteer without pay
Volunteer paid by response
Combo of career and volunteer or paid on-call personnel
Career
History of Fire Service (pre-America)
24 BC Augustus Caesar creates Familia Publica
60 AD Nero establishes the Corps of Vigilies
History of Fire Service (America)
1607 First documented fire in Jamestown, VA
1630 Boston establishes first fire regulations
1735 First organized Volunteer fire company (established by Benjamin Franklin)
2 Fires of 1871 that affected the development of the fire service and fire codes
The Great Chicago Fire
Peshtigo, WI fire
Fire Equipment Progression
Buckets Hand powered pumps Steam powered pumpers Machine powered pumpers Modern fire apparatus *Development of municipal water systems
Communications Progression
Fire Warden or Night Watchman
Public Call boxes
More immediate and effective communications systems
Communications Evolution
Chief shouted commands through his trumpet
Two-way radios and electronic amplification enable units and firefighters to stay in contact
Building Codes (Reason)
Developed to prevent collapse
Insurance industry had major influence
Building materials can be governed
Fire prevention/safety measures are built in
Paying for Fire Service
Insurance companies established to help owners cope with financial loss.
-Insured houses designated with FIRE MARK
Reasons for Firefighter Training and Education
Strength and endurance
Formalized training and good judgement
Most important resource on scene FIREFIGHTER
-knowledgeable, well trained, physically capable, able and determined for fire attack
Fire Department Organization
Fire service draws authority from:
-City (ordinance, charter)
-County
Fire Chief is accountable to governing body
Purpose of Chain of Command
Creates structure for:
-Managing the department
-Directing fire-ground operations
Used to implement rules, policy & procedure
Basic Organization Principles
Paramilitary style of leadership Structured on 4 management principles -Unity of command -Span of control -Division of labor -Discipline
Unity of Command
Firefighter answers to only one supervisor
Each supervisor answers to one chief
Direct route of responsibility leads from chief to the firefighter
Span of Control
Max number of personnel or activities that one individual can control
- 3 to 7 people
- experts say no more than 5
Division of Labor
Way of organizing an incident
Breaks overall strategy into smaller tasks
Prevents duplication of job assignments
Discipline
Set of guidelines for firefighters Discipline involves behavior: -following orders from superior officers -standard operating procedures -suggested operating guidelines -policies Can be positive or corrective
Four functions of Management
Planning
Organizing
Leading
Controlling
Planning
Development of a program or method to accomplish an objective
“PRE-PLAN”
Organizing
Assembling resources into an orderly, functional, structured whole
Leading
Guiding or directing a course of action
Controlling
Restraining, regulating, governing, counteracting or overpowering
Rules and Regulations (ABOUT)
Developed by government or authorized organizations
No room for lateral discretion
-ie. wearing a seat belt when riding in vehicle
Policies
Provide guidelines for present & future actions
Often require judgement on the best course of action within the policy
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Written organizational directives that establish routine methods to follow for designated operations or actions
Developed within the Fire Department
-ie. process for vertical ventilation
Ethics
Fire Officers must make ethical “right” decisions
When unethical choices area made, there are negative consequences for the individual and the organization
Steps to Make Ethical Decisions
Have a code of Ethics Ensure top management exhibits ethical behavior Have clear job goals Have performance appraisals Implement an ethics training program
Questions for an Ethical Decision
What would my family and friends say if they knew?
Would I mind if the paper ran it as a headline story?
How does it make me feel about myself?
Fire Department Interactions with Other Organizations
Emergency medical services providers
Law enforcement officials
Challenges for the Captain (5)
S I D R C
Supervision and Motivation Increase in non-fire incidents Deterioration of the built environment Related duties Cultural diversity
Supervision and Motivation (1 of 5)
Rigid command is essential during emergencies
In non-emergency situations, departments use employee empowerment
Increase in Non-fire Incidents (2 of 5)
EMS calls are the most frequent activity undertaken by the fire service.
Activated alarms are the second most common activity.
Investigating odors, hazardous conditions, or other service calls are the third most common activity.
Deterioration of Built Environment (3 of 5)
Flashover and structural collapse are primary causes of death in fire.
Buildings may be old and not have modern renovations.
Related Duties (4 of 5)
The fire department is providing a wider variety of services.
Fire officers must understand the roles played by other agencies.
Fire officers must be aware of and remain vigilant for threats.
Cultural Diversity (5 of 5)
The fire service includes men and women.
There is a blend of races.
Integration is still not complete.
