Officer Development Program Promotional Workshop

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

Promotional Workshop3 Success in the Fire Service Knowledge of Policy and Procedures Knowledge of Rules and Regulations Knowledge of Standard Operating Guidelines Knowledge of Labor Agreement

Promotional Workshop4 Observations from Assessment Centers Lack of knowledge of department application of SOG’s, Labor Contract, Polices and Procedures, Rules and Regulations Decisions based on opinion instead of the above resources Lack of decision making based on priorities

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

Promotional Workshop7 Summary Easy to get off on the wrong foot –“Now it will be my way” Start slow, walk soft, until you are sure! Officers in the past had little management training. Use what you learn Use the 6 keys to success and avoid mistakes

Basic Management Skills A Refresher

Promotional Workshop9 Terminology Unity of Command Chain of Command Delegation Division of Labor

Promotional Workshop10 Sources of Authority Unity of Command –Firefighter is responsible to 1 and only 1 supervisor. –This applies to fireground and in- station activities. –Provides direct line of communications between FF and Lt.

Promotional Workshop11 Unity of Command Principles Unity of Command necessary for efficient supervision Works in 2 ways: –You know who to report to –You know who to direct

Promotional Workshop12 What Happens if the Unity of Command Breaks Down?? Firefighters play officers against one another Loudest officer often wins Projects suffer in quality because to FF tries to follow conflicting procedures FF become confused and frustrated

Promotional Workshop13 Chain of Command 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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Promotional Workshop15 Span of Control 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 If Span of Control is exceeded –Safety could be compromised –Freelancing in all environments

Promotional Workshop16 Division of Labor Separation between job functions –Divided between larger job responsibilities Training Officer Fire Prevention Officer Public Education Officer Maintenance Hazardous Materials Coordinator Consistent with Span of Control

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Promotional Workshop18 Division of Labor Helps the Fire Officer Delegate responsibility to persons responsible for duties –Makes more time available –Management wants this in most organizations Not “step on the toes” of others Rules and Regulations will determine areas of responsibility

Promotional Workshop19 Company Officer Derives Authority from Chain of Command Make FF’s aware of proper channels Officer must learn to handle the FF’s problems to avoid breeches of command Remember: –Difference between authority & respect Authority is bestowed, respect is earned!

Promotional Workshop20 The Nature of Our Business 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

Promotional Workshop21 Delegation One of the most effective tools a company officer may use.

Promotional Workshop22 Delegation Transfer of authority to another of the responsibility and authority to complete a task 4 Actions to accomplish work –Keep and do it yourself –Delegate the task (no decision making) –Delegate the authority (decision making) –Refer to someone else

Promotional Workshop23 Delegation as a Management Principle What management principle(s) does delegation tie to? –Span of Control –Division of Labor –Chain of Command –Time Management

Promotional Workshop24 Barriers to Effective Delegation Idea that FF had too much work Takes too long to train or explain FF unwilling to accept responsibility “I can do the task better or quicker myself” Officer does not want the blame if FF fails Officer is unsure of management support

Promotional Workshop25 Keys to Effective Delegation Match work to be done with the persons who want and can do it Supportive controls –Allow ff to help develop the controls that will monitor the task. This will allow for better understanding Insure necessary resources are present Clear direction of goals and objectives

Promotional Workshop26 Sample Skill Session In / Out Basket –Delegation –Chain of Command –Division of Labor Use of Priorities Oral Interview Problem Solving