1. Strategic Planning: A Tool for Fire Department Success
Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., CFO, MIFireE
Municipal Fire Protection Consultant
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

2. Our Contemporary Fire Department Operational Environment
Dynamic
General Environment
Task Environment
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

3. Environmental Changes
Social Issues
Cultural Issues
Legal Issues
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

4. Environmental Changes
Political Issues
Economic Issues
Technological Issues
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

5. Organizational Response to Environmental Change
Proactive
Reactive
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

6. Strategic Planning Scope Time Horizon Individuals Involved
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

7. Environmental Scanning
A process used by modern fire departments (organizations) to monitor important aspects of the environment wherein they operate.
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

8. SWOT Analysis Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

9. Strengths
An advantage or distinction of the organization from which the organization can gain a potential benefit – Something they are really good at
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

10. A skill Special expertise Valued assets 4. Special capabilities
Strengths
A skill
Special expertise
Valued assets
4. Special capabilities
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

11. Weakness
A disadvantage or limitation of the organization from which the organization can suffer potential harm. Something they lack, or do poorly
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

12. Weaknesses Missing skills Missing equipment or assets Lack of training
Failure to have a mission
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

13. Opportunities
A positive situation in the environment of the organization from which the organization can potentially benefit – Doing what it does best, as good as it possibly can
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

14. Threats
A negative situation in the environment of the organization from which it can potentially suffer harm.
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

15. Potential Potential Strengths Weaknesses
Leadership
Human Resources
Training & Knowledge
Internal Climate
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

16. Potential Potential Strengths Weaknesses
Morale
Apparatus & Equipment
Response Preparedness & Capability
Financial Situation
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

17. Potential Potential Opportunities Threats
Municipal Support
Fund-Raising Potential
Changing Laws & Regulations
New Technologies
New Initiatives
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

18. Potential Potential Opportunities Threats
Redistricting
Changing Social Norms
Changing Cultural Norms
Economic Developments
Political Developments
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

19. The Goal in SWOT Analysis
Maximize Strengths
Minimize Weaknesses
Capitalize on Opportunities
Avoid Threats
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

20. Planning Without SWOT Analysis ...
... is Reactive!!
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

21. Planning With SWOT Analysis ...
... is Proactive!!
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

22. SWOT Analysis Enables you to improve your organizational effectiveness
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

23. Discussion Questions
Does your emergency service organization engage in a strategic planning process?
What area of environmental change presents the greatest challenges to your emergency service organization?
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

24. Discussion Questions
3. Do you feel that learning more about your environment would help you plan for the future success of your agency?
4. Do you feel that there are lessons to be learned from other agencies?
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

25. Recommending a Strategy
It is important for you to develop ideas for today and tomorrow
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

26. Recommending a Strategy
How can you possibly reach the future unless you understand the present?
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

27. Vision Statement State the vision State the long term direction
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

28. What is Your Mission Statement?
What is it that you do?
Why do you exist?
What might you want to do?
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

29. Goals and Objective State the desired goal State the desired objective
Use multiple points if necessary
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

30. Today’s Situation Summary of the current situation
Use brief bullets, discuss details verbally
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

31. How Did We Get Here? Any relevant historical information
Original assumptions that are no longer valid
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

32. Available Options State the alternative strategies
List the advantages and disadvantages of each available strategic option
State cost of each option
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

33. Recommendations Recommend one or more of the strategies
Summarize the results if things go as proposed
What to do next
Identify Action Items
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.

34. I Value Your Input Please Contact Me: Harry R. Carter
PO Box 100 Adelphia, NJ 07710
2010 Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., L.L.C.