October 2014
The Cortland Fire Watch
Vol. 1 Issue 3
A Basic View of Decision-Making
It is time to take another look at a critical part of the
equation which will lead to success in your fire
department organization.
People tend to hang their
hat on the importance of communication as an
organization priority.
Yes, it is critical but there is
another element which requires a great deal of your
time. I suggest that you ignore this element at your
own peril.
Diabetes can have several warning signs however, in some
cases, Type 2 diabetes can have symptoms so mild they go
unnoticed. Accurate detection and correction can help mitigate
issues in the field.
As important as communications is to the success of
your agency, so too is the decision making process.
Unless you and your people can make decisions,
nothing will ever be accomplished.
You will never
reach your destination of organizational success,
because you will never make the decision to start the
trip.
It is critical to remember that communications
serve as the basis for effective decision making.
Solid,
correct
information,
transmitted
correctly,
always precedes a good decision.
Decision-making has been defined as the choice of an
action in response to a problem; based upon a set of
circumstances.
We have found that there are two
basic types of decision, the programmed or routine
decision and the non-programmed or novel response
Scramble: The center seal of the firefighter badge typically
depicts a grouping of fire symbols. The elements of the
scramble can vary from department to department. Typically
they contain a ladder and an axe, but some can contain more
modern equipment such as a helmet or fire hydrant. Others
have traditional tools such as a pike pole.
to a specific situational requirement.
It is essential that programmed decisions be covered
by
rules,
regulations
and
standard
operating
procedures. These routine decisions can easily be
delegated. You would not want the fire chief to decide
when to use a 2-inch attack line or a basic deck gun
NOTABLE DATES IN OCTOBER
10/6 – Red Shift, Walk through Cortland Elementary –
Instructor: Capt. Fioretto
10/12 – Red Shift, Cortland Festival and Parade
10/13 – Gold Shift, EMS Night, Diabetic Packet Review –
Instructor – Kish EMS
10/20 – Black Shift – Vehicle Extrication Instructors – Capt
Fioretto, Lt. Kairis, FF Laudicina, FF Wright
10/27 – Red Shift – Pump Can Extinguisher Training –
Instructor – FF Laudicina, FF Wright
10/26 – Black Shift, Optional Training – Firefighter
Olympics
stream on the first-due engine company.
That is a
decision best made by the officer of that unit.
Non-programmed decisions require more effort and
generally need the actions of such persons as chiefs,
trustees, commissioners or a vote of the organization,
depending upon your organization requirements. This
is because they are substantial matters involving a lot
of thought, a lot of money or both.
October 2014
The Cortland Fire Watch
Vol. 1 Issue 3
A Basic View of Decision Making
(Continued)
Three things help you to determine whether a decision is
routine or non-routine. Nature, Frequency, Degree of Certainty
Decisions are a means to an end and not an end in and of
themselves. Some people get so carried away with the
mechanics of making a decision that they never make a
meaningful decision. The practice what has been called
paralysis by analysis. Avoid that one at all costs.
Step 1. Analyze data - This allows you to identify problems
Step 2. Develop alternatives - There are many ways to do a
task
Step 3. Evaluate alternatives - Which meets your specific
16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives
How well do you know them?
www.everyonegoeshome.com
needs
Step 4. Choose the best one for your situation. But choose
1.
Cultural Change
one!
2.
Accountability
Step 5. Do it!
3.
Risk Management
Step 6. Evaluate the feedback - Make adjustments as needed
4.
Empowerment
The best solutions come to people who have taken the time to
5.
Training and Certification
become familiar with the goals and objectives of the
6.
Medical and Physical Fitness
organization. These folks will know the direction in which they
7.
Research Agenda
are headed. They will know the reasons why they are traveling
8.
Technology
in that direction. And they will be able to work toward arriving
9.
Fatality, Near-miss Investigation
at the desired objective in a timely fashion
10. Grant Support
Value judgments: Decisions cannot be divorced from the
11. Response Policies
people making the decisions, who they are, how they think and
12. Violent Incident Response
what they think about are all important.
13. Psychological Support
Personality differences: Different people think along different
14. Public Education
lines of thought.
15. Code Enforcement and Sprinklers
Acceptable levels of risk: How much are you willing to risk on a
16. Apparatus Design and Safety
given problem? Different people will tolerate the same risk in
different ways.
Post-decision blues: "Did I make the right decision?" he cried.
Decision-making is a skill that can be learned and mastered.
However you must devote a great deal of time and study to
perfecting these skills. Never presume that you are an expert.
Constantly strive to improve your skills. Here is a case where
practice might not make perfect, but it will make you better.
-Harry R Carter, Ph.D, CFO, MIFireE
“I CAN THINK OF NO MORE
STIRRING SYMBOL OF MAN’S
HUMANITY TO MAN THAN A FIRE
ENGINE” – KURT VONNEGUT