Organizational Structure

Introduction  Human nature breaks things into smaller, more manageable parts. By breaking large groups into smaller component groups while giving them a definite structure, the fire department can communicate and provide services effectively.

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Scalar Structure  Organizational principle dating back to the Roman Empire – Organizes members by a number of criteria  Education level  Length of service  Experience  Job Description – Use of paramilitary terms IFCF - Mgt 1 - Org. Structure 3

Organizational Relationships  Defined in a fire department by the use of scalar organizational structure – What does your chart look like?

CHIEF

Allows for information to be transmitted up and down in the pyramid

MIDDLE LEVEL MGT FIREFIGHTERS IFCF - Mgt 1 - Org. Structure

Centralized at top and decisions are directed through the middle down to the base of the department

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What’s the Difference?

 Pure form of scalar structure does not allow for the chain to be broken – Military  Evolved form; allows for cross communications with some decisions made at an intermediate level – Within staff functions; fire prevention IFCF - Mgt 1 - Org. Structure 5

Line and Staff Functions  Line Function – Those activities associated with operations  Company Officer  Staff Function – Those activities concerned with administration & providing assistance to line personnel.

 FPO  Training IFCF - Mgt 1 - Org. Structure 6

What About Today’s Fire Service  Is the line between line and staff clearly defined or is it not as easy to see?

– Consolidation of divisions – Combination of functions – Regional approaches to these positions IFCF - Mgt 1 - Org. Structure 7

Typical Approaches to Department Operations Staff Direct Implementation Training Officer Company Officer Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter

Upper management delegates implementation of a decision to staff who then deals directly with line personnel.

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Staff Direct Implementation  Advantages – Good for procedures – – Quick and direct Eliminates mid-staff  Deal direct with line to implement decisions made by upper management  Disadvantages – Doesn’t work well for policy matters – Causes a break in unity of command – Results depend on attitudes of those involved IFCF - Mgt 1 - Org. Structure 9

Typical Approaches to Department Operations Staff Direct Advice Company Officer Training Officer Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter Staff officer directly advises the company officer, who then advises the company. Staff typically is still responsible for success or failure.

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Staff Direct Advice  Advantages – Company officer is trained by knowledgeable staff member – Trained company officer is better prepared to lead his company  Disadvantages – Staff keeps authority to correct, which could cause problems between staff and company officer IFCF - Mgt 1 - Org. Structure 11

Typical Approaches to Department Operations Mutual Line/Staff Overlap Company Officer Training Officer Firefigher Firefighter Firefighter

Line and staff work together to make and implement decisions

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Mutual Line/Staff Overlap  Advantages – Line and staff have equal input  Disadvantages – Results will depend upon a cooperative attitude between line and staff personnel.

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Typical Approaches to Department Operations Line Advice to Staff Company Officer Staff Officer Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter

Company Officer provides information to staff officer. Example: personnel evaluations

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Line Advice to Staff  Advantages – Promotes interaction between line and staff positions – Allows line input into decision making process  Disadvantages – Line keeps authority to correct implementation – May cause tension between staff and firefighters if line officer is left out.

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Centralized and Decentralized Authority  Authority defined; – legal responsibility of an individual to make and implement decisions for which that individual is held accountable.

 Centralized Authority – Decisions are made by 1 person at the top  Decentralized Authority – Decisions made at lower level and are reported through the structure IFCF - Mgt 1 - Org. Structure 16

Company Organizational Structure  Company structures are more flexible than departmental – Company Officer must know how the company fits into the department – Choice of the appropriate structure for the task at hand – Several styles may be employed during the course of a shift IFCF - Mgt 1 - Org. Structure 17

Flat Company Structure Single Fire Company Company Officer Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter

Company Officer deals directly with the firefighters on a one on-one basis.

Chain of Command Unity of Command IFCF - Mgt 1 - Org. Structure 18

Flat Company Structure  Advantages – Direct flow of information from Company Officer to each company member – Good for independent tasks – Simple to organize and implement  Disadvantages – Poor for complex tasks – Span of Control in question – Some problems between company members may arise IFCF - Mgt 1 - Org. Structure 19

Scalar Company Structure Single Company Structure Company Officer Arranged by: Seniority Experience Training Firefighter A Firefighter B Informal Leadership Principles will be used.

Firefighter C

Department may dictate this arrangement

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Scalar Company Structure  Advantages – Ideal for emergency operations – Span of control is manageable – Info. is centralized – Functional Chain of Command is maintained – Unity of Command  Disadvantages – May bog down routine work – May make individual initiative difficult – Info. may be distorted through levels – Promotes static organizations IFCF - Mgt 1 - Org. Structure 21

Circular Company Structure  All company members share in decisions Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter Company Officer IFCF - Mgt 1 - Org. Structure 22

Circular Company Structure  Advantages – Great for problem solving – Increase personal commitment because they provide more feedback on tasks  Disadvantages – Input/feedback process makes structure slow – Too time consuming for most emergency situations – Minor details may get too much attention – May cause side-taking IFCF - Mgt 1 - Org. Structure 23