Chapter 2 Flashcards
Scalar Structure
Chain of command in which decisions & information come from the top and trickles down while feedback is transmitted up from the bottom.
Those who deliver services directly to the public including fire suppression, EMS, inspections, education etc
Line Personnel
Those who provide support to the line personnel like training, logistics, auxiliary departments, personnel admin
Staff Personnel
The legal ability of an individual to make and implement decisions for which that individual is held accountable
Authority
Centralized Authority
Decisions are made by one person at the top of the structure. Works best in small
Organizations
Decentralized Authority
Decision making is delegated to others. Allows for most matters to be handled quickly
The process of providing subordinates with the authority, direction and resources needed to to complete an assignment
Delegation of Authority
Unity of Command
In able to ensure unity of effort, each person within an organization reports to one, and only one, designated authority.
The path of responsibility from the top of the organization to the bottom and vice versa
Chain of Command
When a subordinate sidesteps the immediate supervisor and takes a problem to a higher officer, thus breaking the unity of command.
Sidestepping
What should a superior officer do if a subordinate attempts to sidestep within the organization?
Instruct the subordinate to follow the chain of command and take the problem to their immediate supervisor
When is it ok to bypass a level in the chain of command?
If the immediate supervisor is viewed as part of the problem or does not resolve the problem
Notifying one’s supervisor that one wishes to take an issue to the supervisor’s supervisor, thus bypassing the chain of command
Skip Level Notification
A principal that allows workers to report to more than one supervisor when personnel are assigned a duty that falls under the authority of another supervisor.
Functional Supervision
What must happen in order for functional
Supervision to work?
Worker must understand that they report to the second supervisor only on matters relating to that particular duty. Both supervisors must communicate and closely coordinate their activities
The number of people or the number of functions that one individual can effectively supervise
Span Of Control
What is the optimal span of control for the majority of emergency operations?
1:3-7
1 supervisor to every 3-7 subordinates or functions
Dividing large jobs into smaller tasks
Division of Labor
What must happen in order for the division of labor principle to be effective?
All positions must be clearly defined & all personnel must know what their responsibilities are and what is expected of them
Why is cross-training important in the division of labor?
It enables people to work together more effectively because they understand the needs of different roles and allows personell to fill various rolls when staffing is limited.
What are the two types of Fire & Emergency Services Organizations
Public and Private
What type of Fire & Emergency services provided to the public and funded by the public through taxes and fees
Public
What type of Fire & Emergency services are funded through revenue from a parent organization & are provided to a specific firm or facility & not the general public
Private Fire & Emergency Services
The primary means of categorizing public fire and emergency services.
Jurisdiction
Public jurisdiction that is the second level in local Government and generally protects large areas of unincorporated land that contain large populations
County Jurisdictions
Public jurisdiction that is the lowest level of local Government
Municipal Jurisdiction
Public jurisdiction that generally operates under a locally-elected board of trustees or commissioners that determines its operation
Fire District
Area that lies outside of jurisdictions that taxpayers support or fund and may not have fire protection
Unserved Area
Public jurisdictions that generally provide emergency fire suppression for forests, wildlands and urban-interface fires & provide fire & emergency training within the jurisdiction
State/Provincial Jurisdiction
Public jurisdiction that protects federal lands and property like forestry units and military bases
Federal Jurisdiction
What is an example of where federal and local jurisdiction may intersect?
Airport Fire Departments
Public jurisdiction that has sovereignty over their designated lands but also have agreements with state/provincial governments surrounding their land
Tribal Jurisdictions
Type of private jurisdiction in which commercial facilities like oil refineries, plants, research facilities etc maintain their own fire emergency services
Facility Fire Brigade
Within the organizational staffing framework, who are those paid for their service?
Career Firefighters
Within the organizational staffing framework, who are those paid per response?
Paid-On-Call Personnel
Mutual Aid agreement
Aid received from one fire service to another upon request
Automatic Aid Agreement
Aid received from one fire service to another that is dispatched without request
Outside Aid
Aid received that generally involves payment for services provided
