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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons™
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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Hidden Hurdles: An Exploration Of Possible Barriers Women Encounter When Pursuing A Career As An Operational Firefighter In Ontario, Lydia Wilcox
MPA Major Research Papers
The focus of this research paper was to explore the possible barriers women may encounter when pursuing a career as an operational firefighter in Ontario. Primary research was used to analyze empirical data collected through an on-line survey while guided by literature on concepts related to human resources best practices. Secondary research on bona fide occupational requirements (BFORs) and physical abilities testing used for firefighter candidates was also explored to investigate the validity of candidate physical testing being used in Ontario. The research in this paper showed that fire services were inconsistent when using HR best practices while hiring firefighting …
Institutional Collective Action In Ontario’S Fire Service: Conducive And Inhibiting Factors Of Local Collaboration Of Fire Safety Inspections And Enforcement, Brian Arnold
MPA Major Research Papers
The economic, political, and social environment in Ontario is placing increased pressure on the delivery of local fire prevention services and fire chiefs and elected officials are expected to do more with fewer resources. Subsequently, exploring mechanisms to work collaboratively with neighbouring fire departments in order to improve the efficacy of fire prevention programs should be a priority. This paper examines the conducive and inhibiting factors of voluntary collaboration for fire prevention activities within Ontario’s fire service. A cross-sectional study and analysis was undertaken to collect data of relevant variables at a specific point in time using a triangulation approach. …
No Less A Firefighter: Creating Safe, Healthy, And Inclusive Work Environments For Women Firefighters In Ontario, Heidy Van Dyk
No Less A Firefighter: Creating Safe, Healthy, And Inclusive Work Environments For Women Firefighters In Ontario, Heidy Van Dyk
MPA Major Research Papers
This paper examines why there are so few women employed as professional firefighters in Ontario municipalities by identifying the workplace hazards and risk factors related to safety, health, and inclusion in their work environments. Data collected from an online questionnaire administered to 24 women who currently work or have previously worked as professional firefighters was analyzed using a conceptual framework based on the three elements of safety, health, and inclusion. In addition, interviews were conducted with participants who voluntarily requested to participate. The findings reveal that women firefighters are exposed to workplace hazards and risk factors either by directly experiencing, …
Labour-Management Relations Within The Fire Service: Building Trust And Respect, John Dehooge
Labour-Management Relations Within The Fire Service: Building Trust And Respect, John Dehooge
MPA Major Research Papers
This paper examines the conditions and characteristics for establishing and maintaining a successful labour-management relationship between fire chiefs and association presidents based on a survey and interview with a fire chief and association president from the Waterloo Fire Department (WFD). The findings reveal that the functional and effective labour-management relationship in Waterloo is characterized by shared organizational and relational values, a strong relationship with other staff members and the council the fire chief reports to, and mutual trust and respect.
Implementing And Managing Change In The Fire Service, Terence Allen
Implementing And Managing Change In The Fire Service, Terence Allen
MPA Major Research Papers
This paper examines the potential for strategic planning to act as a tool for anticipating, identifying, and successfully managing change within the fire service based on an analysis of the external change issues that are affecting the fire department as a workplace. The findings reveal that there are many components of the strategic planning process that can assist in the implementation and management of change in the fire service.