STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 1.   Discuss current basic management theory, practices and philosophies, and how they relate to management in the Fire Service.

 2.   Analyze the duties of a manager in areas of planning, organizing, coordinating, delegating and controlling.

 3.   Identify the differences in basic responsibilities and duties of the manager from the level of supervisor to top management.

 4.   Identify and analyze the management skills necessary to become an effective manager, such as: excellent communication skills, strong decision-making/problem-solving abilities, good team building skills, the ability to be creative and innovative, strong leadership skills, the ability to create a motivating environment, good group dynamic skills, and a strong work ethic.

 5.   Discuss the roles/responsibilities of the Fire Officer in managing personnel problems in the areas of conflict resolution, coaching, counseling, and handling discipline and grievances.

 6.   Discuss the differences between managing and leading.

 7.   Identify and evaluate the unique management problems associated with the Fire Service.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.      Definition of management and its importance.

 II.     Differences in management in the fire services compared to other professions.

 III.    History and foundations of management theory

         A.      Classical management theory-management science

                 1.      Classical scientific

                 2.      Classical administrative

                 3.      Quantitative management theory

                 4.      Behavioral management theory

 IV.     Current management theory

         A.      Contingency theory

         B.      Situational leadership

         C.      Systems management theory

         D.      Management by objectives (MBO)

 V.      Management functions and cycle

         A.      Planning

         B.      Organizing

         C.      Commanding

         D.      Coordinating

         E.      Controlling

         F.      Roles, skills and responsibilities for Fire Officer in higher levels of management

 VI.     Effective management skills

         A.      Roles of management

         B.      Management skills (general)

         C.      The three C's of management

         D.      Communication skills

         E.      Problem solving/decision making skills

         F.      Ethics

         G.      Goal setting theory

         H.      Group dynamics/informal organization

         I.      Team building

 VII.    The Fire Officer as a motivator

         A.      Motivation defined

         B.      Motivation model

         C.      Motivational theories that focus on needs

                 1.      Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

                 2.      Hezberg's Two-Factor Theory

         D.      Motivational theories that focus on behaviors

                 1.      Expectancy theory

                 2.      Equity theory

         E.      Managing motivation

 VIII.   The Fire Officer as a leader

         A.      Difference between leading and managing

         B.      Leadership defined

         C.      Nature of leadership

         D.      Leadership roles

         E.      Situational leadership

         F.      Leadership styles

         G.      Theory X and Theory Y

 IX.     The role of the Fire officer in dealing with personnel issues

         A.      Analyzing performance problems

         B.      Performance appraisals

         C.      Coaching

         D.      Counseling

         E.      Handling discipline

         F.      Conflict resolution

         G.      Managing change

 X       The Fire Officer's roles and responsibilities in managing specific activites in the Fire Service

         A.      Sizeup, strategy, and tactics

         B.      Incident command

         C.      Fireground communications

         D.      Budgeting (management of financial resources)

         E.      Prefire planning

         F.      Codes and inspections

         G.      Public fire education

         H.      Fire ignition sequence investigation

         I.      Training as a management function

         J.      Personnel management

         K.      Management of physical resources

         L.      Maintaining firefighter health and safety