Chapter 3 Flashcards
42
administrative fire officer
Battalion chief or district chief
In response to a recent survey chief officers outlined four basic tasks they considered vital for new officers
- Beginning of shift report-( other departments) report is provided for each work location to BC within first hour reporting in. Chiefs rely on this information to make staffing adjustments, this report provides on-duty staffing information sick leave identifies positions and need to be filled.
- notifications- new supervising fire officer must make prompt notifications information must be passed up the chain of command quickly– the surprises rule–
3/4. decision-making and problem-solving some chiefs complain new fire officers hesitate to make decisions. They seem to want the chief to make hard decisions and enforce unpopular rules. Make the decisions that are within their scope. Don’t complain about problems without proposing solutions
* consider the larger picture of how the possible solution would affect the rest of the department*
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the four times in a firefighters career when major changes occur
- Firefighter completes probationary training.
- Firefighter completes promotional process, company officer
- firefighter completes another perk level of training advances through the promotion process, chief officer
- firefighter retires
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When a FFer promotes to an officer, what changes are required in this new sphere of responsibility ?
They change some on-duty behaviors or practices
Behavior that was acceptable for a firefighter may be unacceptable for fire officer
46
James Page, wrote in his book, Effective Company Command, the company officer’s duties can be divided into three roles
Supervisor
Commander
Trainer
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Three roles of the officer, Supervisor
Function as official representative of Fire Chief. Officer is expected to supervise company consistent with rules and regulations of the fire department.
46
How can a fire officer improve his or her effectiveness in handling an unpopular order?
By determining the story or history behind the order enable the fire officer to put the directive in perspective.
Officers should express concerns/objections with their supervisor in private. Telling firefighters the officer doesn’t agree with in order undermines the authority and supervisory ability of the chief
47
Commander- three functions of company officer
Operating on emergency incident officers expected to function as a commander and exercise strong direct supervision over company members.
Functioning as an initial incident commander on a major incident one of the higher profile roles of the fire officer. The officer needs to be clear, calm and concise at initial radio traffic.
Command presence is a key part of mastering the art of incident command= project an image of being in control.
Officer must convince others to follow by demonstrating the ability to take charge and make correct decisions
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Trainer- officer functions of company officer
Officer has responsibility of ensuring firefighters are confident and competent in skills. the officer plays a key role in developing these competencies with the company
48
James Page makes three specific recommendations to assist officers in developing competencies (training) within the company
Develop a personal training library
Know the neighborhood
Use problem-solving scenarios
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How to set up a personal training library
Three ring binder with subject matter tabs. Each training event attended notes from that session are placed into the three ring binder along with handouts product information sheet and other related materials. When the officer is preparing to present the class covers a specific topic referred to training library
48
Leo Stapleton advocated maintaining a _____
Maintaining a personal journal of to record information about incidents they and issues handled.
For working incidents that would include what was encountered, what they learned, and how they would handle it the next time.
49
Know the neighborhood- recommendations of James Page
Firefighter should have a detailed knowledge of the environment they protect. This includes walking structures and pre-incident plans or diagrams. Aerial views are especially valuable for apartment complexes, building parks, and retail areas.
49
Problem-solving scenarios- James Page
Officers can help company members become more skilled and knowledgeable by providing opportunities to use problem-solving skills.
Page would present fact-based situations and require company members to use code to solve the problem. This is an excellent way for adults to learn concepts, regulations and decision-making skills.
49
Every officer has an obligation to work effectively with their supervisor. What are the three activities that are necessary to ensure a good working relationship?
- Keep supervisor informed
- Make appropriate decisions at your level
- consult with your supervisor before making major disciplinary actions/policy changes
50
Supervising and managing fire officers should not hesitate to ..
Make decisions appropriate for their level of responsibility. Addressing situations where and when they occur.
50
Supervisors want officers to make decisions within their own scope however some issues require officers to consult with supervisor before making a decision or taking action, such as:
Policy changes cannot be enacted within admit administrative vacuum, beyond officer scope
Major disciplinary actions- consultation with the supervisor is required by municipal personnel regulations to insured discipline is delivered and consistent impartial manner
50
Integrity
Complex system of inherent attributes the determined person’s moral and ethical actions and reactions including the quality of being honest.
51
Ethical behavior
Officer demonstrating ethical behavior makes decisions and models behavior consistent with department’s core values, mission statement, and value statements.
51
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
That that is illegal for an employer to fail/refuse to hire or discharge someone based upon race, color, religion, sex, national origin
51
Equal employment opportunity act of 1972 amended the civil rights act of 1964, what was the change?
It expanded its coverage to include almost all public and private employers with 15 employees or more. In general the 1972 act covers volunteer fire departments and other nonprofit emergency service organizations.
51
Civil rights act of 1991
Provides additional compensatory and punitive damages in case of intentional discrimination under title VII.
51
What were the effects of the Civil Rights Act of 1991 on fire departments
Increase the number of discrimination lawsuits filed against organizations. Our department have made changes to their recruitment, hiring, and promotion practices to comply with the various civil rights laws.
51
When departments fail to comply with Civil Rights Acts what were the outcomes?
They range from Consent Decrees in which departments agree to accomplish specific diversity goals within a specific time to Courts Orders outlining specific hiring practices.
51
What does diversity mean as applied to fire departments?
The workforce should reflect the community it serves. The overarching goal is for the fire department to reflect the diversity of the community.
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What does it mean if the department has agreed to an EEOC consent decree?
The department has promised the court that it will work to hire qualified individuals who reflect the community. Consent decree can require a variety of activities including community outreach, job fairs, preemployment preparation, etc.
Some departments operate under a specific court mandated hiring process. This requirement would remain in effect until hiring diversity goal is accomplished.
53
How many EEOC lawsuits are filed per year?
400
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Actionable items
Employee behaviors that require an immediate corrective action by supervisor. Failing to act when these situations occurs is likely to create a liability and loss for the department. The best example is the use of certain words in the workplace ( derogatory or racist terms). officer must act immediately in these situations. That means speaking with the offending firefighter in private in counseling the firefighter that such words is unacceptable. the officer should provide the firefighter with the city’s copy of the EEOC/AA policy statement and code of conduct. Firefighters should also maintain a formal and informal record of the counseling.
53
What has case law demonstrated concerning the use of unacceptable language?
Unacceptable language requires an immediate response. An officer’s failure to act has been interpreted as official condoning or encouraging of such behavior.
53
What is the standard for evaluating sexual harassment?
What a reasonable person in the same or similar circumstances would find intimidating, hostile, or abusive. Employers are liable for the acts of those who work for them if the organization knew or should have known about the conduct and took no immediate appropriate corrective action.
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Sexual harassment
Unwanted, uninvited, and unwelcome attention and intimacy in a nonreciprocal relationship. The abuse of power is an essential component of sexual harassment.
53
EEOC guidelines state that verbal and physical conduct of a sexual nature is harassment when the following conditions are present: (4)
- Employee made to feel that they have to endure such treatment to remain employed
- whether employee submits or rejects such treatment is used when making employment decisions
- employees work performance is affected
- intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment is present
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What is hostile work environment?
Hostile work environment can be used to describe a broad range of situations. Generalized hostile workplace definition can apply to a variety of circumstances that do not necessarily include a specific abuse of supervisory power.
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What does Jack Gravely feel is the trend with sexual harassment cases?
The trend is towards more complaints about hostile workplace, which can involve sexual issues. Complaint settled by court decisions represent less than 3% of all harassment, hostile workplace, and discrimination complaints filed against fire departments. Instead big payout settlements
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Firefighters who want to initiate a harassment complaint have a choice of three methods for doing so…
The federal government
Local government
Fire department
If complaint starts in the fire department the fire officer may be the first formal point of contact. The fire officer should know the departments procedure for handling harassment or hostile workplace complaint.
54
What is the most common reason a local government is found liable for harassment or hostile workplace complaints?
Failure to investigate a complaint. Many fire officers have a difficult time believing that discrimination or harassment could be happening right under their noses.
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Guidelines for handling harassment/hostile work place complaint.
- Keep an open mind- every complaint must be investigated and documented.
- Treat the person filing the complaint with respect & compassion- be understanding
- Dont blame the person filing the complaint- blaming the person is the second most common way that local governments lose harassment/hostile workplace complaints
- Don’t retaliate- against the law to punish someone for complaining about discrimination/harassment
- Follow established procedures- there are generally a detailed procedure on how to handle harassment
- Interview people involved- initial interviews
- look for corroboration or contradiction- he said/she said situation try to back up stories with other witnesses
- keep it confidential-
- write it all down- take notes during interviews, keep a journal of the investigation write down steps taken.
- Cooperate with government agencies- the agency may investigate. Notify your superior
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What are the steps that a fire officer can take to help maintain an appropriate work environment?
- Educate employees on workplace rules and regulations.
- Promote the use of on-duty speech- the goal is to establish a workplace environment or certain behaviors and words are not used. Not to change thoughts/ beliefs
- be the designated adult- this requires the fire officer to model appropriate behavior and encourage and enforce the same** ignoring a problem is in reality permitting it to continue**
55
Why should the company officer make a practice to walk around the station at very times during the workday?
Working in an big station with multiple companies with lots of people coming and going… This practice is not designed to catch someone doing something wrong, but rather is intended to make everything is functioning properly.
