Introduction to the Fire Service and Firefighter Safety

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All-Hazard Concept

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Provides a coordinated approach to a wide variety of incidents; all responders use a similar, coordinated approach with a common set of authorities, protections, and resources.

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Chain of Command

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Order of rank and authority in the fire and emergency services.

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Unity of Command

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Organizational principle in which workers report to only one supervisor in order to eliminate conflicting orders.

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Span of Control

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Maximum number of subordinates that one individual can effectively supervise; ranges from three to seven individuals or functions, with five generally established as optimum.

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Company

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Basic fire fighting organizational unit consisting of firefighters and apparatus; headed by a company officer.

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Battalion

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Fire department organizational subdivision consisting of several fire service companies in a designated geographic area. A battalion is usually the first organizational level above individual companies or stations.

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Response District

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Geographical area to which a particular apparatus is assigned to be first due on a fire or other emergency incident.

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Mitigate

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To cause to become less harsh or hostile; to make less severe, intense or painful; to alleviate.

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Line Personnel

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Personnel who provide emergency services to external customers (the public).

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Staff Personnel

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Personnel who provide administrative and logistical support to line units (internal customers).