Fire Administration Seminar (Capstone) – FIRE 492

CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 09/05/2023

Course Description

This capstone course requires students to demonstrate mastery of the curriculum learned throughout the entire program. The course integrates the functional areas of fire and emergency services administration including: management, public health, public administration, budgeting, planning, decision making, legal issues, ethics, and dealing with the political environment. Students will choose a topic or issue from several central themes and will then draw upon a wide variety of sources and other disciplines to demonstrate the ability to apply what they have learned to address a realistic situation or problem.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

The capacity to think critically and to develop strategic initiatives commensurate with fire and emergency services is essential to effective administration. Students will identify a topic or issue from several central themes and draw from a wide variety of sources and disciplines to demonstrate the ability to apply management, public health, public administration, budgeting, planning, decision-making, and other disciplines in the political environment. Projects will address what the student has learned to address realistic public safety challenges.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each Discussion. Each thread must be at least 300 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge and cite at least 2 scholarly sources in APA format. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to two other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 200 words and cite at least 1 scholarly source in APA format. Both threads and replies must follow current APA formatting guidelines.

Policy Project Assignments (6)

Proposal Assignment 

Provide an introduction to the final project paper explaining the current state of the public policy project and the role of leadership and competencies essential to addressing the problem.

Background & Significance Assignment

Provide a critical assessment of the background and significance of the project proposal and why this problem is important considering its background, context, and historical approaches to addressing the problem in the jurisdiction.

Political, Social, Legal, Economic & Christian Implications Assignment

Identify and assess the political, social, and legal challenges associated with your project proposal. Critically explain the implications on community stakeholders, public policy, and the role of Christian leadership.

Models, Standards, Policy Assignment

Assess and identify models (ISO), standards (NFPA), and existing frameworks (CPSE) that structure the problem or issue in the public policy project proposal. List and explain their significance and implication for the project.

SWOT Analysis Assignment

Conduct a SWOT analysis of the public policy issue. Explain the process and results, and critically assess the implication of each in the context of strategic planning for the public policy project.

Budget Implications Assignment

Identify two to three solutions and budget implication (operating or capital funding, etc.) and the process for approval for the public policy project proposal. Describe how each alternative addresses stakeholder interests and needs.