FSM - Fire Service Management

Discusses management of integrated fire service, health and safety program. Includes coverage of related national and local regulations, standards, medical management, physical fitness, development and implementation of safety programs, statistical development and assessment, and gaining workforce commitment including related fire service health and safety issues.

Details human resource management requirements in fire service. Topics include hiring, legal issues, discipline, labor relations, performance appraisal, motivation and elements of supervision.

Discusses fire service's role in protecting the environment from damage. Outlines potential environmental impact of various types of emergency incidents. Includes explanation of roles of various agencies in mitigating incidents that may be hazardous to the environment. Includes federal, state and local laws, regulations and ordinances.

Examines critical elements of managing a fire department's fixed resources, primarily stations and apparatus. Includes various phases of specification development, bid process, managing construction projects and placing facilities and apparatus into service,and aspects of fire services resource management including forecasting and warehousing.

Examines translation of local fire response data, growth trends, population shifts, demographics, population change and service demand strategies, strategic plan for future requirements of fire service organizations resource deployment issues, short and long range planning, the impact of various codes and evaluation of national trends.

Features and applications of fixed fire protection systems and the applicable National Fire Protection Association standards governing such systems. Includes fire code development, political considerations in enforcement, permit regulations, plan review processes, public education programs, analyzes arson as a community problem and other related aspects of fire prevention programs.

Examines aspects of computer architecture, hardware and software used for information management including computer systems, operating systems, applications and database structures for public safety information management. Features major components of incident reporting requirements, Computer Aided Dispatching Systems, radio communications and Mobile Data Terminal use in fire service operations. Details combined Computer Aided Dispatch/Records Management Systems, fire service incident reporting and other specialized computer applications in the fire services.

Examines the role of fire service in the specific community it serves by forecasting the community profile, composition and politics, understanding different cultures, overcoming potential language and ethnic barriers and interacting with various special interest groups. Studies delivery of effective service to the community as a whole and the inherent challenges faced in doing so.

Emphasizes standard budgeting principles, nomenclature, methods and types of taxation, fee for service, special taxing districts, revenue sources, public/private sector funding partnerships, and other issues associated with public sector funding in public organizations.

Addresses Total Quality Management as it relates to the wide range of fire services provided. Includes issues relating to customer service, organizational communication systems and measurement systems for program managers. Quality control intervention strategies, improvement programs and quality related issues also covered.

Preparation necessary for management of a major disaster. Interaction with other agencies and effective coordination of roles and efforts within a structured incident management system. Addresses planning, resource management and other related issues.