Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Chief Officers’ Perspectives Of Traffic Incident Management Standards Following A Line-Of-Duty Fatality, Charles David Hughes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractAccording to the United States Fire Administration, an average of five firefighters are killed annually at scenes of roadway incidents. The purpose of this study was to explore chief fire officers’ perceptions of incident management policies and standards for the prevention of firefighter line-of-duty deaths resulting from secondary collisions. Their perceptions may contribute to the efficacy and appropriateness of incident management policies and standards and may also lead to recommendations to improve compliance. The research question was to understand what chief fire officers’ perceptions of incident management policies and standards for preventing firefighter line-of-duty-deaths from secondary collisions. The theoretical framework …

Fire Officer Leadership Strategies For Cost Management, Leo R. Sedlmeyer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Fire departments in the United States accounted for 31% of municipal budgets with increases of 85% spending between 2015 and 2016. The purpose of this single case study was to explore leadership strategies fire officers used to manage costs associated with hazardous operations. The conceptual framework grounding this study was transformational leadership theory. The participants in this study were 10 fire officers who manage hazardous operations in central Wisconsin. The data collection process included open-ended questions in a semistructured format resulting in transcripts, a review of fire department staffing documents, and personal journal notes. Methodological triangulation was used to compare …

The Impact Of Compliance With A Certified Accreditation Standard For Municipal Fire Departments, David Ryan Hickel

Online Theses and Dissertations

This report was conducted to assist public administrators serving in municipal fire departments in making the complex decision to pursue agency accreditation. The research finds that very little information is available to administrators that details the impacts accreditation has on a municipal fire department. The research conducted in this report aims to fill that gap.

Literature was reviewed that focused on the emergence of accreditation within the fire service. Then, an exploratory qualitative research method was utilized for the framework of this research, and interviews were arranged with members of various fire departments possessing unique relationships and experience with the …

Feasibility Study Of Consolidating Public Safety Answering Points In Highland Heights, Lyndhurst, Mayfield Heights, Mayfield Village And Richmond Heights, Ohio, Daila Shimek, Kyle Johnson, Eugene Kramer, Charles Post

All Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs Publications

This study found that – based on certain configurations of communities and cost considerations – it is economically viable to consolidate public safety answering points (PSAPs) in Highland Heights, Lyndhurst, Mayfield Heights, Mayfield Village and Richmond Heights, Ohio. When comparing 2012 staffing and noncapital costs to estimated staffing and noncapital costs for a consolidated PSAP, the consolidated PSAP would provide an estimated collective reduction in staffing and noncapital costs of ranging from $775,400 to $1.19 million. When comparing 2012 staffing and noncapital costs to estimated staffing and noncapital costs for a consolidated PSAP – plus costs for additional staff to …

Feasibility Study Of Consolidating Public Safety Answering Points In Highland Heights, Lyndhurst, Mayfield Heights, Mayfield Village And Richmond Heights, Ohio, Daila Shimek, Kyle Johnson, Eugene L. Kramer, Charles Post

Daila Shimek

This study found that – based on certain configurations of communities and cost considerations – it is economically viable to consolidate public safety answering points (PSAPs) in Highland Heights, Lyndhurst, Mayfield Heights, Mayfield Village and Richmond Heights, Ohio. When comparing 2012 staffing and noncapital costs to estimated staffing and noncapital costs for a consolidated PSAP, the consolidated PSAP would provide an estimated collective reduction in staffing and noncapital costs of ranging from $775,400 to $1.19 million. When comparing 2012 staffing and noncapital costs to estimated staffing and noncapital costs for a consolidated PSAP – plus costs for additional staff to …

Feasibility Study Of Consolidating Public Safety Answering Points In Berea, Broadview Heights, Brook Park, North Royalton, Olmsted Falls, Seven Hills, And Strongsville, Ohio, Daila Shimek, Kyle Johnson, Eugene L. Kramer

Daila Shimek

This study found that – based on selected configurations of communities and specific cost considerations – it is economically viable to consolidate public safety answering points (PSAPs) in Berea, Broadview Heights, Brook Park, North Royalton, Olmsted Falls, Seven Hills, and Strongsville. When comparing 2012 staffing and noncapital costs to estimated staffing and noncapital costs for a consolidated PSAP, the consolidated PSAP would provide an estimated collective reduction in costs ranging from $117,500 to $1.72 million. The analysis also revealed that consolidation is legally feasible. It would also offer improved service by ensuring all dispatchers are certified professionals and would provide …

Review Of Proposed Plan For New Police And Fire Facilities, Carver, Ma, Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center For Public Management, University Of Massachusetts Boston

Edward J. Collins Center for Public Management Publications

The Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management at the University of Massachusetts Boston was hired by the Town of Carver to perform an independent assessment of the Buildings Study Committee’s proposals for the construction/renovation of three new public facilities including a fire station, police station, and elementary school. Specifically, the team from the Center was asked to review: 1) the selected and considered sites for the facilities; and, 2) the funding plan recommended by the Buildings Study Committee.

This analysis has been divided into two components. This, first report presents the Center’s findings as they relate to the …

Feasibility Study Of Consolidating Public Safety Answering Points In South Euclid, Beachwood, Euclid, Shaker Heights, And University Heights, Ohio, Daila Shimek, Kyle Johnson, Eugene L. Kramer, Nathaniel Neider

Daila Shimek

The study conducted by the Center for Public Management (PM) found that, for two of three scenarios analyzed, it is legally, technologically, and financially feasible to consolidate public safety answering points (PSAPs) in South Euclid, Beachwood, Euclid, Shaker Heights, and University Heights, Ohio. Of the scenarios found feasible, the study estimates a decrease in costs ranging from almost $687,700 to $1.1 million, depending upon the configuration of the PSAP. When factoring in capital costs, the savings ranges from $555,000 to $898,000, but lead to an increase in costs of $189,000 in a PSAP dispatching for police only. At the local …

Technical Bulletins: Use Of Acquired Structures For Training (2013), Dennis Wolf

MTAS Publications: Technical Bulletins

Live fire training in an acquired structure is very valuable as it provides firefighters with some of the real life experience they need to be effective firefighters. Many communities do not have access to a training facility with a dedicated live fire building or smoke house, so using an acquired structure can provide a local opportunity to train under realistic conditions.

The Iso Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule, Jody Dwyer

MTAS Publications: Full Publications

ISO works with municipal building-code authorities to assess and enforce building codes through its Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS) program. The BCEGS program assesses the building codes in effect in a community and how that community enforces them, with special emphasis on mitigating losses from natural hazards.

Technical Bulletins: Use Of Acquired Structures For Training, Dennis Wolf

MTAS Publications: Technical Bulletins

Live fire training in an acquired structure is very valuable as it provides firefighters with some of the real life experience they need to be effective firefighters. Many communities do not have access to a training facility with a dedicated live fire building or smoke house, so using an acquired structure can provide a local opportunity to train under realistic conditions.

Technical Bulletins: Let Me Tell You A Story: How An Annual Report Will Benefit Your Fire Department, Dennis Wolf

MTAS Publications: Technical Bulletins

A fire department annual report is an excellent tool for a fire department to use to tell its story to the community and to build community support for its efforts and needs.

Fire Department Accreditation: A New Way Of Evaluating Efficiency And Effectiveness Of Fire Departments (2012), Dennis Wolf

MTAS Publications: Full Publications

Accreditation is a way to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of a fire department by determining community risks and fire safety needs, accurately evaluating the organization’s performance, and providing a method for continuous improvement.

Hot Topic: Flsa Firefighter Definition Revised, Dennis Wolf, Richard Stokes

MTAS Publications: Hot Topics

Clarification of an amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act regarding the definition of "an employee in fire protection activities."

Compensation And Employee Status Of Volunteer Firefighters, Dennis Wolf

MTAS Publications: Full Publications

This publication addresses the complex issues surrounding the rules and opinions on whether a volunteer firefighter is a volunteer or an employee and whether any compensation or remuneration the volunteer firefighter receives for services provided is subject to withholding for income tax, social security, or Medicare.

Ua12/8 Annual Campus Security And Fire Report, Wku Police

WKU Archives Records

This report is designed to provide students, prospective students, parents, faculty, and staff with accurate crime statistics, information on university services, and crime prevention programs. These programs are designed to help inform our campus community about safety practices that will help reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime. These safe practices can provide individuals with vital information that they can carry with them through college and beyond, keeping them safe for the rest of their lives.

The Water Needs Of Small Tennessee Fire Departments (2011), Ron Darden, Gary West

MTAS Publications: Full Publications

This report discusses the fire department’s need for water, fire insurance ratings, hydrant marking regulations, problems confronting local government’s ability to provide water for fire service, the value of residential sprinkler systems, and potential savings from improved fire service.

Hot Topic: Firefighter Minimum Training Law: Public Chapter 512 - 2009, Ray Crouch

MTAS Publications: Hot Topics

The law does three things: (1) establishes a 16-hour class that must be taken by anyone who enters the fire service before they can respond to any emergency, (2) requires that every firefighter complete a basic firefighter class, as defined by the Tennessee Fire and Codes Academy, within three years of joining a fire department, and (3) provides exceptions for firefighters who already have five years of experience.

Hot Topic: Federal Grants Available To Fire Departments: Successful Funding For Tennessee Fire Departments (2007), Gary West

MTAS Publications: Hot Topics

The federal government will provide several opportunities for grant funding to fire departments again this year.

Integrating Emergency Medical Services In The Fire Department, Gary West

MTAS Publications: Full Publications

The first responder concept is proven to save lives, and many fire departments are seeing the benefits of providing this valuable service.

Fire Department Accreditation: A New Way Of Evaluating Efficiency And Effectiveness Of Fire Departments, Gary West, Dennis Wolf

MTAS Publications: Full Publications

Accreditation is a way to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of a fire department by determining community risks and fire safety needs, accurately evaluating the organization’s performance, and providing a method for continuous improvement.

Tennessee Municipal Benchmarking Project Fy2005, Al Major

Tennessee Municipal Benchmarking Project

FY2005 annual report to compare the relative cost, efficiency and effectiveness of a set of municipal services by using a collaborative approach with the participating cities, and to set standards and identify "best practices" in municipal government for use and comparison by all Tennessee cities.

Technical Bulletins: Ten Simple Questions On Code Adoption For Towns And Cities In Tennessee (2006), Ray Crouch

MTAS Publications: Technical Bulletins

Short answers to questions on the adoption of building and fire codes.

Hot Topic: Assistance To Firefighters Grant Program (2006), Gary West

MTAS Publications: Hot Topics

Grants are awarded each year on a competitive basis to applicants that address AFG program priorities, demonstrate financial need, and demonstrate the community benefit to be derived from their projects. Persistence is the key to successful funding.

Technical Bulletins: Drinking From A Fire Hydrant: The Fire Department's Role In Protecting The Public Water System, Gary West

MTAS Publications: Technical Bulletins

A revised state regulation concerning fire hydrants is causing concern for fire department leaders, providers of public water supplies, and public health officials across the state of Tennessee. The new regulation is the final result of the 1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act with the emphasis on contamination prevention.

Hot Topic: Nims (National Incident Management System), Ray Crouch

MTAS Publications: Hot Topics

An explanation of five steps that local governments must complete before October 1, 2005. Includes a resolution to adopt the NIMS.

Technical Bulletins: Fire (And Police) Departments Liable For Negligent Response, Sid Hemsley

MTAS Publications: Technical Bulletins

Under the Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act municipalities are liable for the negligence of their employees, with some exceptions. One of those exceptions is “discretionary functions” (Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.) 29-20-205). However, the act does not define that term. The Tennessee Supreme Court has grappled with both a definition and application of the term in Gordon, et al. vs. City of Henderson, 766 S.W.2d 784 (1988). Although that case involved the delivery of municipal fire services, it contains some language that should cause Tennessee municipalities to look closely at the manner in which they deliver all public safety services.

Hot Topic: Usfa Fire Grants: A New Source Of Funding For Fire Departments, Ray Crouch

MTAS Publications: Hot Topics

A first-ever appropriation by Congress will provide $100 million in grants to directly assist local fire departments across the country.

Hot Topic: Flsa Firefighter Definition Revised (2001), Dennis Wolf, Richard Stokes

MTAS Publications: Hot Topics

Clarification of an amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act regarding the definition of "an employee in fire protection activities."

Technical Bulletins: Fire (And Police) Departments Liable For Negligent Response, Sid Hemsley

MTAS Publications: Technical Bulletins

Under the Tennessee Tort Liability Act municipalities are liable for the negligence of their employees, with some exceptions. One of those exceptions is "discretionary functions" (Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) 29-20-205). However, the act does not define that term. The Tennessee Supreme Court recently grappled with both a definition and application of the term in Gordon, et al. v. City of Henderson, 766 S.W.2d 784 (1988). Although that case involved the delivery of municipal fire services, it contains some language that should cause Tennessee municipalities to look closely at the way they deliver all public safety services.