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Alabama Fire College
Chapter 2 Fire Department
Organization, Command, and Control
Alabama Fire College
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
2.2
Alabama Fire College
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
2.3
Alabama Fire College
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
2.4
Alabama Fire College
The Business of FireProtection (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
2.5
Alabama Fire College
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
2.6
Alabama Fire College
2.7
The Midway Fire Department is organized to deliver fire prevention, fire suppression (extinguishment), and rescue services to the citizens of its protection area. Thiswill include response to conduct vehicle extrication, hazardous materials mitigation, and basic life support emergencymedical services.
SAMPLE MISSION STATEMENT 1
Alabama Fire College
2.8
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.
SAMPLE MISSION STATEMENT 2
Alabama Fire College
Organizational Structure
• Fire department must have organizational structure
• Structure may be simple or complex• Shows internal organization as well as
functions and responsibilities
2.9
Alabama Fire College
2.10
The organizational structure for a medium to large fire department shows the division of work assignments and chain of command.
Alabama Fire College
2.11
Different from most organizational charts, this organizational structure shows the interdependence of the community, fire department, governing body, and firefighters.
Alabama Fire College
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
2.12
Alabama Fire College
2.13
Some positions available to firefighters are (A) rescue specialist, (B) paramedic, and (C) hazardous materials technician.
(A)
(B) (C)
Alabama Fire College
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
2.14
Alabama Fire College
2.15
The firefighter is the individual who makes a department operate.
Alabama Fire College
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
2.16
Alabama Fire College
The Engine Company
• Firefighters who – Deliver water– Deploy hoselines– Attack and extinguish fires in vehicles
and structures
2.17
Alabama Fire College
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
2.18
Alabama Fire College
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
2.19
Alabama Fire College
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
2.20
Alabama Fire College
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
2.21
Alabama Fire College
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
2.22
Alabama Fire College
Additional FireDepartment 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
2.23
Alabama Fire College
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
2.24
Alabama Fire College
2.25
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.
Alabama Fire College
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
2.26
Alabama Fire College
2.27
Training must be a continuing function in all fire departments regardless of size or area served. (Courtesy of Eastern Oklahoma Technology Center)
Alabama Fire College
Emergency Medical Services
• Depending on size of organization, the EMS function may be a separate division
• Chief-level officer responsible for its activities
2.28
Alabama Fire College
Apparatus Maintenanceand 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
2.29
Alabama Fire College
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
2.30
Alabama Fire College
2.31
Trench rescue is one of many specialized operations requiring additional equipment and training.
Alabama Fire College
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
2.32
Alabama Fire College
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
2.33
Alabama Fire College
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
2.34
Alabama Fire College
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
2.35
Alabama Fire College
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
2.36
Alabama Fire College
Allied Agencies andOrganizations
• During an operation, fire department interacts with many different organizations
• A few of these organizations:– Police/law enforcement– Utility companies– Environmental conservation– Private business
2.37
Alabama Fire College
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
2.38
Alabama Fire College
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.
39