A fire department can be defined as a group of people that are organized in a manner intended to provide emergency and non-emergency services to protect lives and property and to render humanitarian services. These services are provided to citizens through fire companies, which can be described as a subdivision of the fire department. Company officers are the ones carrying the responsibility to direct the members of their companies (firefighters) in order to provide the highest level of service. They are the “link between the fire department administration and the firefighters of the department” (IFSTA, 1981, p. 2). The management of the fire department administration as well as the management of fire companies is based on the four functions of the management process: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling.

The planning function includes establishing goals, developing procedures, and predicting the organization’s future (Dessler, 2001, p.5). At the administration level, managers are referred as Chiefs. They are responsible for setting the department’s goals and objectives. Two years ago, upper management initiated a strategic planning process to develop the

The final function of management is controlling. This involves setting the departments standards, and making sure that the department’s objectives and station’s goals are met as planned. Although employees’ performance standards are set by upper management, company officers are the ones that evaluate employees’ performance by comparing it against this standard. If the organization or station’s objectives are not met, company officers are the ones responsible for taking corrective action if needed.

Leading is the most important of the company officer’s functions. As supervisors, company officers not only oversee firefighters’ performance at the station, but also at the fire scene. Because of the dangers associated with this profession, company officers need to lead by example; that is, being a positive role model and always focusing on safety. Part of the leading function is motivating employees. Company officers motivate personnel by reinforcing positive behavior, welcoming ideas and suggestions, and involving employees in the planning of objectives. They are also trained to identify conflicts and resolve them.

The following subdivisions are part of the administration division: budget office, internal affairs, planning section, fire prevention, support services, human resources, and occupational health and safety. The operations division has the following subdivisions, each one managed by a deputy chief: training division, special operations division, A-shift, B-shift, and C-shift. A, B and C shifts are divided into six battalio

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