Management 1 Human Resource Management

IFCF - MANAGEMENT 12 Introduction n You have just been promoted to the position of company officer. –Lieutenant in charge of a single company –Varying degrees of experience, motivation, and dedication within your company. –You have been promoted through a competitive testing process, some of the other candidates you came on the job with

IFCF - MANAGEMENT 13 Your first day as an officer; n Scenarios in the American Fire Service YOUR DEPT.

IFCF - MANAGEMENT 14 Role and Function of the FO 1 n Job Description –a written statement of the content and location of a job as it relates to the organizational chart. n Illinois Fire Service –Over 70% is volunteer –1209 fire departments/districts –Full spectrum of services delivered

IFCF - MANAGEMENT 15 Company Officer-The Vital Link n What does the company officer connect or link the firefighter to? –Administration –Emergency Operations

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8 Common Mistakes to Avoid as a Company Officer n Letting authority go to your head n Playing the tyrant boss n Playing favorites n Making to many changes too fast n Sidestepping the Chain of Command n Keeping the “just one of the gang” relationships with former co-workers

IFCF - MANAGEMENT 19 Summary n Easy to get off on the wrong foot –“Now it will be my way” n Start slow, walk soft, until you are sure! n Officers in the past had little management training. Use what you learn n Use the 6 keys to success and avoid mistakes

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IFCF - MANAGEMENT 111 Sources of Authority n Unity of Command –Firefighter is responsible to1 and only 1 supervisor. –This applies to fireground and in- station activities. –Provides direct line of communications between FF and Lt.

IFCF - MANAGEMENT 112 Unity of Command Principles n Unity of Command necessary for efficient supervision n Works in 2 ways: –You know who to report to –You know who to direct

IFCF - MANAGEMENT 113 What Happens if the Unity of Command Breaks Down?? n Firefighters play officers against one another n Loudest officer often wins n Projects suffer in quality because to FF tries to follow conflicting procedures n FF become confused and frustrated

IFCF - MANAGEMENT 114 Chain of Command n Pathway of responsibility from the top of the department to the bottom. –Everyone receives the same message –Work is broken into specific job assignments –Breeches or sidestepping result in a LOSS OF CONTROL

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IFCF - MANAGEMENT 117 Span of Control n The number of people a supervisor can effectively oversee at one time. –5 to 6 firefighters is maximum. –Basis for Incident Management System –Sectors and Branches use this principle n If Span of Control is exceeded –Safety could be compromised –Freelancing in all environments

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IFCF - MANAGEMENT 119 Division of Labor n Separation between job functions –Divided between larger job responsibilities Training Officer Fire Prevention Officer Public Education Officer Maintenance Hazardous Materials Coordinator n Consistent with Span of Control

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IFCF - MANAGEMENT 121 Division of Labor Helps the Fire Officer n Delegate responsibility to persons responsible for duties –Makes more time available –Management wants this in most organizations n Not “step on the toes” of others n Rules and Regulations will determine areas of responsibility

IFCF - MANAGEMENT 122 Company Officer Derives Authority from Chain of Command n Make FF’s aware of proper channels n Officer must learn to handle the FF’s problems to avoid breeches of command n Remember: –Difference between authority & respect Authority is bestowed, respect is earned!

IFCF - MANAGEMENT 123 The Nature of Our Business n Sometimes emergencies dictate breaching the unity of command –Fireground situations Conflicting or multiple assignments Completing tasks as you go Not following through with the communication process; “assignment complete” –Acting out of rank –Working on new assignments

IFCF - MANAGEMENT 124 A Simple Problem Solving Skill n L-isten to the problem n I-nvestigate possible solutions n S-eek help from above n T-ake action n E-ncourage by providing support n N-ow follow up, make sure the problem is solved!