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k T 11 "�; X ,4'_e s 2. E>; . existence. _x '" + 's' ` s_" Where firehouses lose the most men though, is in the lack of '� ' • r -; % clear goals. Without a plan for the future, members of the team x? F \1rw - .°•4" ar, : 'i;a � _,L =sr , �l '.. don't know what they should be working toward: Turning out -- - -- .„ ,,L - a A,., " . i faster? Knowing the district? Faster response? Improving public ° i ' -- ' safety and education? -,_:« s. e_ it ` r "If you don't know where you're going, how are you going to - as ` .y., get there?" he asked. _! To achieve the established goals, install guidelines under the "policies" banner to give personnel a plan they can follow. All '-- Au. - -1r is-An policies should direct staff to the goals set by the organization, and without exception should be treated as mandatory. x I--c- ; ' : u XI: ',.: "You might say that all firefighters must be certified as Certified t- „ r - Firefighter Two personnel before being allowed to perform interior -� .,n 'r ";'- . structural firefighting operations, or that all officer candidates 1 must complete Firefighter One training before any appointment s or election," he said. "Or say that you're going to repay people for . k xxXioi their training expenses. Just put it in writing, and stick to it." Input from the roster can give the leadership and focus groups direction Establishing guidelines for promotion that include specific training that keeps the rules from being too numerous or from being simply requirements will reduce friction among the rank and file because the process to that goal is fixed and equitable.Here,firefighters demon- ridiculous. strate a car fire training procedure at FDIC.(Photo by Jodi Magallanes) Lastly, don't forget to develop a mechanism for evaluating '. ;.. how well the goals have been met. -`-� Carter also encourages chiefs to "go where the knowledge ,' is"about any given issue,even if it comes in the form of a younger or atypical-looking recruit. Organizationally, firehouses are no different than other organizations looking to improve the quality of their volunteers and - `' fs.v, .. z° � ; the value of the service they perform.The universal principles of ` organization remain: •Give clear responsibilities. -g it' - •Give staff enough authority to do their jobs. • Have each person report to a single supervisor so people know to whom they're responsible. --s„ nix •Provide sufficient staff resources. • Don't give one supervisor more people than he (or she)can handle. Applying the principles lessens the impact of change, solves t problems before they become debilitating burdens and levels the playing field for recruits whose talents might be more valuable According to Municipal Fire Protection Consultant Harry Carter,applying than the"old boys"think. v the pdnciples of organization leadership lessens the impact of change and "You secure the future of the department when you're Wets the playing field for recruits whose talents might be more valuable organized, because the new blood knows where to go and what than what the old boys club might think(Shutterstodr.com) .-, a to do," he said. "They'll feel like a part of the team in no time."• Leo's All Season Vehicles, Inc 12841 Mayfield Rd. I Chardon, OH 44024 gr 440.285. 1730 www.leosargo.com ;e -r UNITS EQUIPPED: Stretcher/Water Tank/ T _' y Sprayer Hose/Storage Racks/ Lights/Track • CUSTOMIZED FOR YOUR APPLICATION! CALL FOR MORE INFO OR PRICING! 28 • THE MUNICIPAL • JULY 2012 •