Organizational Structure

Organizational Structure

IFCF - Mgt 1 - Org. Structure 2

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.


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


Organizational Relationships

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

CHIEF

FIREFIGHTERS

MIDDLE LEVEL MGT

Centralized at top and decisions are directed through

the middle down to the base of the

department

Allows for information

to be transmitted

up and down in the

pyramid


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


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


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


Typical Approaches to Department Operations

S ta ff D irec t Im p lem en ta tion

F ire fig h te r F ire fig h te r F ire fig h te r

C om p an y O ffice r

Tra in in g O ffice r

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


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



S ta ff D irec t A d vice


C om p an y O ffice r Tra in in g O ffice r

Staff officer directly advises the company officer, who then advises the company. Staff typically is still responsible for

success or failure.


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



M u tu a l L in e /S ta ff O verlap

F ire fig h er F ire fig h te r F ire fig h te r

C om p an y O ffice rTra in in g O ffice r

Line and staff work together to make and implement decisions


Mutual Line/Staff Overlap

Advantages– Line and staff have

equal input

Disadvantages– Results will depend

upon a cooperative attitude between line and staff personnel.



L in e A d vice to S ta ff



S ta ff O ffice r

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


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.


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


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


Flat Company Structure

S in g le F ire C om p an y



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

Chain of Command

Unity of Command


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


Scalar Company Structure

S in g le C om p an y S tru c tu re

F ire fig h te r C

F ire fig h te r B

F ire fig h te r A


Arranged by:

Seniority

Experience

Training

Informal Leadership Principles

will be used.

Department may dictate this arrangement


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


Circular Company Structure

All company members share in decisions

Company Officer

Firefighter

Firefighter

Firefighter


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

Documents

Organizational Structure