Fire Department Organization, Command, and Control

1. 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 statements • Organizational structures • Defines chain of command • 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 • Volunteer departments • Combination departments • Industrial fire departments • Fire chief responsibility

5. Mission Statement • Each fire department should have a mission statement. • Provides meaning and direction • Provides clear and defined purpose • Specific to the public

6. Organizational Structure • Fire department organizational structure • Simple or complex • Shows internal organization and responsibilities

7. The organizational structure for a medium to large fire department shows the division of work assignments and chain of command.

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

9. The Firefighter • Individual trained to perform the function of fire prevention and suppression • Emergency medical technician (EMT) • Paramedic (EMT-P) • Hazardous materials technician • Rescue specialist • National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001

10. Firefighter Responsibilities • Know organizational structure and operating procedures • Perform safely • Know response area • Maintain equipment • Respond to alarms • Use SCBA

11. The firefighter is the individual who makes adepartment operate.

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

13. The Company • Basic unit of a fire department • Engine, truck, rescue companies • Specialty/combination units • Emergency medical services • Company officers • Chief officers • Rank structure, position designation, and number of officers vary across fire departments. • Management-level positions

14. Additional Fire Department Functions Additional duties • Hazardous materials • Urban/technical search and rescue • Water rescue • Emergency medical services • Apparatus maintenance and purchasing Traditional duties • Fire prevention • Training

15. Fire Prevention and Life Safety • Preventing fire reduces risk to community. • Code enforcement/inspection services • Fire/life safety education • Fire survival programs educate the public on what to do after a fire has started.

16. 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.

17. Training • Begins with basic firefighter or probationary training • Continues with proficiency training • All departments must have a training officer.

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

19. Emergency Medical Services • Depending on size of organization, the EMS function may be a separate division.

20. Apparatus Maintenanceand Purchasing • Departments may have a fire apparatus maintenance or repair shop. • Responsible for: • Vehicle repair • Maintenance • Purchasing

21. Special Operations • Size of community • Potential hazards present • Hazardous material mitigation • High-rise operations • Air operations • Confined space rescue • Trench rescue • Swift water or ice rescue

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

23. Regulations, Policies, Bylaws, and Procedures • All organizations must have • Regulations • Federal, provincial or territorial Workplace Health and Safety regulations • Policies • Bylaws • Procedures

24. Allied Agencies andOrganizations • Fire departments interact with many different organizations. • Police/law enforcement • Utility companies • Environmental conservation • Private business

25. 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