United States Fire Administration Chief Officer Training Curriculum Community Risk Reduction Module 2: Developing Community Equity

United States Fire Administration CRR 2-2 Objectives  Define community equity and relate it to community risk reduction  Describe the challenges to creating community equity  List the benefits to the individual fire company and the organization for establishing community equity

United States Fire Administration CRR 2-3 Objectives (continued)  Identify community partnerships based on community demographics, resource availability, community needs, and customer service principles  Explain methods for creating and maintaining community equity with individuals, groups, and organizations through nontraditional programs, services, and partnerships  Identify elements necessary to create an effective community risk reduction program at the neighborhood level

United States Fire Administration CRR 2-4 Overview  The purpose of this module is to create a strategy for developing and maintaining rapport and trust through partnerships to achieve community risk reduction at the neighborhood level.

United States Fire Administration CRR 2-5 Discussion Question What are some traditional ways the fire service has tried to reduce and manage risk?

United States Fire Administration CRR 2-6 Community Equity Community Activity Community Equity Community Dividends

United States Fire Administration CRR 2-7 Discussion Question What do we mean by community equity?

United States Fire Administration CRR 2-8 Individual and Small-Group Activity 2.1 The Challenges to Creating Community Equity

United States Fire Administration CRR 2-9 Internal Challenges  Organizational climate  Organizational culture  Organizational philosophy  Organizational mission  Organizational leadership

United States Fire Administration CRR 2-10 External Challenges  Public perception of safety  Public perception of risk  Public perception of acceptable risk  Public perception of risk reduction

United States Fire Administration CRR 2-11 Logistical Challenges  Time  People  Skills

United States Fire Administration CRR 2-12 Sociological Challenges  The sociological aspects of risk reduction  Need for compassion  Feedback

United States Fire Administration CRR 2-13 Brainstorming Exercise Benefits to Establishing Community Equity

United States Fire Administration CRR 2-14 Discussion Question What are typical categories of partnerships available in a community?

United States Fire Administration CRR 2-15 Discussion Question What typical demographic characteristics would you need to consider in identifying potential partners?

United States Fire Administration CRR 2-16 Discussion Question What customer service principles would be most applicable in helping to engage community partners?

United States Fire Administration CRR 2-17 Small-Group Activity 2.2 Identifying Typical Partnerships Available in the Community

United States Fire Administration CRR 2-18 Discussion Question What are some practical methods we can use to help create a risk reduction program at the neighborhood level?

United States Fire Administration CRR 2-19 Module Summary  Community risk reduction begins with the chief officer.  Gaining trust and respect of the citizens at the neighborhood level is critical.  Community equity is the product of day- to-day actions of the individual fire companies.  Creating community equity opens the door to community change.