1. Fire Department Organization, Command, and Control
Chapter 2
Fire Department Organization, Command, and Control

2. Introduction This chapter covers:
Department organization into companies
Companies divided into functions
Engine, ladder, truck companies
Rescue or hazardous materials companies
Division of work assignments
Responsibility for specific response area, activity
Eliminate duplication of work and confusion
Establish adequate level of equipment and personnel

3. Fire Department Organization
Fire departments have a reason for existing and a structure for operations
Mission statement communicates the reason for being
Organizational structure defines the chain of command and authority

4. The Business of Fire Protection
Jurisdiction determines the type and level of fire protection
Several types of fire department service delivery
Career or paid departments consist of full-time positions with benefits
Volunteer department positions with per-call/hourly payment or no payment at all
Some jurisdictions utilize a system of both career and volunteer members

5. The Business of Fire Protection (cont’d.)
Public or municipal fire department commonly found in larger cities or densely populated areas
Fire district funded by dedicated property tax
Fire chief responsible for department operations
Industrial fire departments (brigades) are specially trained and provide emergency services

6. Mission Statement Each fire department should have a mission statement
Provides meaning and direction
Provides a clear and defined purpose
Must be specific to the public

7. SAMPLE MISSION STATEMENT 1
The Midway Fire Department is organized to deliver fire prevention, fire suppression (extinguishment), and rescue services to the citizens of its protection area. This
will include response to conduct vehicle extrication, hazardous materials mitigation, and basic life support emergency
medical services.

8. SAMPLE MISSION STATEMENT 2
The Midway Fire Department is organized to deliver fire prevention, life safety, fire suppression (extinguishment), and rescue services to the citizens of its protection area.
This will include response to conduct vehicle extrication, hazardous materials mitigation, confined space rescue, advanced life support emergency medical services, disaster response, and fire life safety code enforcement.

9. Organizational Structure
Fire department must have organizational structure
Structure may be simple or complex
Shows internal organization as well as functions and responsibilities

10. AU: ok to delete figure numbers from detailed presentation throughout?
The organizational structure for a medium to large fire department shows the division of work assignments and chain of command.

11. Different from most organizational charts, this organizational structure shows the interdependence of the community, fire department, governing body, and firefighters.

12. The Firefighter
Individual trained to perform the function of fire prevention and suppression
Other areas firefighters may know:
Emergency medical technician (EMT)
Paramedic (EMT-P)
Hazardous materials technician
Rescue specialist
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) established training standards

13. (A)
(B)
(C)
Some positions available to firefighters are (A) rescue specialist, (B) paramedic, and (C) hazardous materials technician.

14. The Firefighter (cont’d.)
Some typical requirements for an individual trained in structural fire suppression:
Know department’s organizational structure and operating procedures
Perform duties safely
Know department’s response area
Maintain equipment
Respond to alarms
Use self-contained breathing apparatus

15. The firefighter is the individual who makes a department operate.

16. The Company Basic unit of a fire department
Firefighters assigned to perform a specific function
Company officers
Supervisory-level positions
Responsible for firefighters and administrative duties

17. The Engine Company Firefighters who Deliver water Deploy hoselines
Attack and extinguish fires in vehicles and structures

18. The Truck Company Carry firefighters for forcible entry
Search and rescue
Ventilation
Provision of ladders and securing of utilities
Overhaul functions at a fire scene
Three basic aerial devices
Aerial ladder
Tower ladder
Snorkel

19. The Rescue Company Provides specially trained firefighters
Specialized rescue equipment
Tools to conduct forcible entry
Tools used for search and rescue
Tools to conduct vehicle extrications, confined space rescue, rope rescue, and other technical operations

20. Specialty/Combination Units
Typically a blend of two major company functions
Quint is a combination of an engine and ladder company
Mobile water supply apparatus (tenders) provides water where a supply is not present
Examples of specialty units:
Wildland fire
Hazardous material units
Mass casualty response units

21. Emergency Medical Services
Many departments provide either basic life support or advanced life support
May be an additional duty assigned to an existing company
Fire departments may operate ambulances to provide transport services

22. The Chief Officers
Ultimately responsible for the operations and administration of the fire department
Chief may have a number of deputy, division, assistant, or battalion chiefs
Rank structure and position depends on size, need, and history of an individual fire department
Number of officers depends on the size of the organization

23. Additional Fire Department Functions
Many additional functions assigned to operations:
Training
Fire prevention
Additional sections may be established:
Hazardous materials
Urban/technical search and rescue
Water rescue
Delivery of emergency medical services

24. Fire Prevention and Life Safety
Preventing fire reduces risk to community
Fire prevention office divided into two functions:
Code enforcement/inspection services
Fire/life safety education
A chief-level officer usually heads the fire prevention office
Fire survival programs educate the public on what to do after a fire has started

25. Some fire departments utilize unique characters such as E. D. I. T. H
Some fire departments utilize unique characters such as E.D.I.T.H. the Clown to help children relate to the message of fire prevention.

26. Training Begins with basic firefighter or probationary training
Continues with proficiency training as new tools, equipment, or techniques become available
Chief-level officer usually heads the training division
All departments must have a training officer

27. Training must be a continuing function in all fire departments regardless of size or area served. (Courtesy of Eastern Oklahoma Technology Center)

28. Emergency Medical Services
Depending on size of organization, the EMS function may be a separate division
Chief-level officer responsible for its activities

29. Apparatus Maintenance and Purchasing
Large departments may have a fire apparatus maintenance or repair shop
Responsible for vehicle repair, maintenance, and purchasing
Headed by a fire department officer or nonuniform staff member

30. Special Operations
Depending on size of community or potential hazards present
Delivers or supports services such as:
Hazardous material mitigation
High-rise operations
Air operations
Confined space rescue
Trench rescue
Swift water or ice rescue

31. Trench rescue is one of many specialized operations requiring additional equipment and training.

32. Regulations, Policies, Bylaws, and Procedures
All organizations must have:
Regulations
Policies
Bylaws
Procedures
Ensures an adequate and effective emergency response
Used to establish daily and emergency operations

33. Regulations Determine how an organization operates
Established by top-level management
OSHA may establish regulations
Most states have their own occupational safety and health plans
Federal program has no enforcement authority

34. Policies Formal statements or directives
Established by fire department managers
Provide guidance for decision making
Usually general in nature
Framework for day-to-day department activities

35. Bylaws
Volunteer departments may be organized as independent corporations
Fire corporation usually organized as a not-for-profit organization
Bylaws established by board of directors or membership
Describe how the business structure is organized

36. Procedures
Standard operating procedures (SOPs) provide specific information and instructions
Established so all members will perform the same function with the same level of uniformity
Tactical in nature
Also called standard operating guidelines (SOGs)
Variety of ways in which SOPs are developed and documented

37. Allied Agencies and Organizations
During an operation, fire department interacts with many different organizations
A few of these organizations:
Police/law enforcement
Utility companies
Environmental conservation
Private business

38. Lessons Learned To survive on the fire scene, firefighters must know:
Roles and responsibilities of personnel
Overall mission of the fire department
The regulations, policies, bylaws, and procedures within their organizations
The allied agencies available during an emergency

39. Engine Assignments
E1 – Write a mission statement for a FD including the level of services provided and to whom the services will be delivered.
E2 - Draw an Organizational diagram for a fire department including the chain of command and who is responsible for training, fire prevention, appratus maintenance, and fire scene operations.
E3 – List 5 task or functions performed by FF in a FD.