CHAIN OF COMMAND
GENERAL STATEMENT: It is important to utilize the proper chain of command in dealing with any type of situation. Breaking the Chain of Command creates communication, follow-up and other management problems. Therefore, Red Oak Fire Rescue personnel are directed to utilize the chain of command in all applicable.
PROCESS
Official communications both up and down the chain of command must not skip any rank. Any assignment given to any person, must pass through all the appropriate ranks. Any request, comment, suggestion, complaint etc. forwarded up the chain of command must start with the person’s immediate supervisor. If the person issuing the request, comment, suggestion, he/she may insist that the communication be sent to the next rank. No communication from firefighter to fire chief or from fire chief to firefighter (through the appropriate ranks) may be stopped without the sender’s permission.
ASSIGNMENTS / SPECIAL PROJECTS
From time to time special assignments or projects may arise on which people of more than one rank are working; communications pertinent to that project between these individuals will not constitute chain of command jumping.
Example: Firefighters working on the rescue truck being coordinated by an assistant chief.
Example: Committee members communicating project specific information to a chief or assistant chief.
Not all conversations, planning, and ideas discussed in special projects need to be reported through the chain of command. However, anything that could possibly affect shift operations, supplies, equipment, scheduling of man-hours, etc., must be completely reported through the chain either up or down, depending on the situation at hand.
Example: A firefighter and an assistant chief are working together to build a new training tool. The planning of just how to build it, what color to paint, etc., is project specific discussion and should not cause a problem with station activity. This type of discussion should not need to be reported. But the scheduling of time on shift to build the tool, going to purchase supplies, materials, paint, etc., is an example of things that absolutely must be reported through the chain of command. In this example, it would be appropriate for the fire fighter to report to the captain and the assistant chief to report to the appropriate chief that these activities need to be done. Any scheduling conflicts brought to light would need to be worked out by the appropriate people involved. The priority of the project vs. the priority of the conflict would have to be weighed by the appropriate supervisor, and accommodations made to accomplish both goals
COMMON SENSE AND A LITTLE COOPERATION should easily settle which situations dictate chain of command communication, and what is necessary to accomplish the task at hand.
E-MAIL COMMUNICATIONS
When e-mail communications take place across the ranks, everyone in the proper chain of command between the sender and recipient of the e-mail must be copied (CC’d). This holds true for e-mail communication both up and down the chain of command.
Example: Firefighter e-mails an assistant chief with a suggestion and CC’s both the officer and chief.
Example: Return e-mails form the assistant chief to the firefighter should also CC the proper officer.
MEETINGS
Request for meetings that cross ranks must be forwarded through the proper channels.
ACTING OFFICERS
Those individuals acting “out-of-capacity” or “stepping up” are considered of full rank for chain of command purposes. These individuals will have full authority and responsibility of the rank for the period of time they are assigned to “out-of-capacity” status
FIREFIGHTERS
Firefighters must at times assume the responsibilities of the officer. It is the responsibility of the officer to develop the assigned firefighter to be able to assume the station officer duties when necessary. Therefore, the officer is expected to utilize the firefighter in ways that provide the training necessary to be able to perform station officer duties.
GENERAL STATEMENT: It is important to utilize the proper chain of command in dealing with any type of situation. Breaking the Chain of Command creates communication, follow-up and other management problems. Therefore, Red Oak Fire Rescue personnel are directed to utilize the chain of command in all applicable.
PROCESS
Official communications both up and down the chain of command must not skip any rank. Any assignment given to any person, must pass through all the appropriate ranks. Any request, comment, suggestion, complaint etc. forwarded up the chain of command must start with the person’s immediate supervisor. If the person issuing the request, comment, suggestion, he/she may insist that the communication be sent to the next rank. No communication from firefighter to fire chief or from fire chief to firefighter (through the appropriate ranks) may be stopped without the sender’s permission.
ASSIGNMENTS / SPECIAL PROJECTS
From time to time special assignments or projects may arise on which people of more than one rank are working; communications pertinent to that project between these individuals will not constitute chain of command jumping.
Example: Firefighters working on the rescue truck being coordinated by an assistant chief.
Example: Committee members communicating project specific information to a chief or assistant chief.
Not all conversations, planning, and ideas discussed in special projects need to be reported through the chain of command. However, anything that could possibly affect shift operations, supplies, equipment, scheduling of man-hours, etc., must be completely reported through the chain either up or down, depending on the situation at hand.
Example: A firefighter and an assistant chief are working together to build a new training tool. The planning of just how to build it, what color to paint, etc., is project specific discussion and should not cause a problem with station activity. This type of discussion should not need to be reported. But the scheduling of time on shift to build the tool, going to purchase supplies, materials, paint, etc., is an example of things that absolutely must be reported through the chain of command. In this example, it would be appropriate for the fire fighter to report to the captain and the assistant chief to report to the appropriate chief that these activities need to be done. Any scheduling conflicts brought to light would need to be worked out by the appropriate people involved. The priority of the project vs. the priority of the conflict would have to be weighed by the appropriate supervisor, and accommodations made to accomplish both goals
COMMON SENSE AND A LITTLE COOPERATION should easily settle which situations dictate chain of command communication, and what is necessary to accomplish the task at hand.
E-MAIL COMMUNICATIONS
When e-mail communications take place across the ranks, everyone in the proper chain of command between the sender and recipient of the e-mail must be copied (CC’d). This holds true for e-mail communication both up and down the chain of command.
Example: Firefighter e-mails an assistant chief with a suggestion and CC’s both the officer and chief.
Example: Return e-mails form the assistant chief to the firefighter should also CC the proper officer.
MEETINGS
Request for meetings that cross ranks must be forwarded through the proper channels.
ACTING OFFICERS
Those individuals acting “out-of-capacity” or “stepping up” are considered of full rank for chain of command purposes. These individuals will have full authority and responsibility of the rank for the period of time they are assigned to “out-of-capacity” status
FIREFIGHTERS
Firefighters must at times assume the responsibilities of the officer. It is the responsibility of the officer to develop the assigned firefighter to be able to assume the station officer duties when necessary. Therefore, the officer is expected to utilize the firefighter in ways that provide the training necessary to be able to perform station officer duties.
