Chief Officer Training Curriculum

1. Chief Officer Training Curriculum Community Risk Reduction Module 2: Developing Community Equity

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

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

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.

5. Discussion Question What are some traditional ways the fire service has tried to reduce and manage risk?

6. Community Equity Community Activity Community Equity Community Dividends

7. Discussion Question What do we mean by community equity?

8. Individual and Small-Group Activity 2.1 The Challenges to Creating Community Equity

9. Internal Challenges • Organizational climate • Organizational culture • Organizational philosophy • Organizational mission • Organizational leadership

10. External Challenges • Public perception of safety • Public perception of risk • Public perception of acceptable risk • Public perception of risk reduction

11. Logistical Challenges • Time • People • Skills

12. Sociological Challenges • The sociological aspects of risk reduction • Need for compassion • Feedback

13. Brainstorming Exercise Benefits to Establishing Community Equity

14. Discussion Question What are typical categories of partnerships available in a community?

15. Discussion Question What typical demographic characteristics would you need to consider in identifying potential partners?

16. Discussion Question What customer service principles would be most applicable in helping to engage community partners?

17. Small-Group Activity 2.2 Identifying Typical Partnerships Available in the Community

18. Discussion Question What are some practical methods we can use to help create a risk reduction program at the neighborhood level?

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.