COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, LEADERSHIP, AND INFLUENCE: A 'SYSTEMS' APPROACH

摘要

A basic fire service tradition is the decentralized rnplacement of resources and services into neighborhoods. Fire stations are the most visible example of government's investment in the overall safety and well-being of the people in the community. Fire department members actually reside and work in the neighborhood surrounding the fire station seven days a week, 24 hours a day.rnThis reality provides a significant opportunity for the fire service, but many fire departments do not take full advantage of it. Fire departments should be active community participants in a mission-related way, involved in key decisions and supported by community leaders. This does not happen by chance and requires more than basic political involvement advocating for or against issues and candidates. This article explores a "systems" approach to integrating key elements of the fire and life safety mission into a community's core leadership structure in a way that improves customer service and enhances the overall standing of fire department leaders with other community leaders.