FIRE 610 Leadership for the Executive Fire Officer

This course focuses on the research and exposition of effective leadership strategies for executive fire officers. Students will be encouraged to research and apply effective leadership theory and best practices for the fire administrative processes required to deliver fire and emergency services; detailed examination of the social, political and economic issues that have an impact on service delivery, leadership, and management approaches for emergency services.

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

Leadership theory and practice has a profound impact throughout fire service organizations. Understanding the complexity of leadership strategies and best practices are necessary to develop effective processes and programs that are vital to the health of the organization and its members.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

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

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will complete 2 Discussions in this course. The student will post one thread of at least 600 words. Then, the student must then post 2 replies of at least 450 words. For each thread, the student must support his/her assertions with at least 2 peer-reviewed source citations, in addition to the course textbook, in current APA format and integrate at least 1 biblical principle. Each reply must incorporate at least 2 peer-reviewed source citations, in addition to the textbook, in current APA format. Any sources cited must have been published within the last five years. Acceptable sources include the textbook, peer-reviewed journal articles, government sources, professional association websites, etc.

Paper

The student will complete a 7–10-page paper (excluding the title and references pages) in current APA format using at least 4 references from peer-reviewed sources. The student will select a present or past leader, and describe his or her personality profile using each of the Big Five dimensions. After rating each dimension as strong, moderate, or weak, the student will give an example of traits and typical behavior of the leader for each dimension. 

Paper

The student will complete a 7–10-page paper (excluding the title and references pages) in current APA format using at least 4 references from peer-reviewed sources. The student will discuss and provide an example of each of the leadership styles as defined in the Leadership Grid. Then, the student will identify the style that is most productive in the public safety field and explain his/her reasoning. In addition, the student will describe the one style that may be the most destructive to an organization or team.

Paper

The student will complete a 7–10-page paper (excluding the title and references pages) in current APA format using at least 4 references from peer-reviewed sources. The student has been tasked with improving the performance management program in his/her organization. The student will describe how he/she will implement change (assuming it is needed) utilizing a 360 Degree Performance Management Program. As part of the student’s discussion, he/she should describe the importance of coaching and counseling and outline key elements that are necessary for affecting change and identify challenges relative to comparison to the current situation.

Paper

The student will complete a 7–10-page paper (excluding the title and references pages) in current APA format using at least 4 references from peer-reviewed sources. Managing change can sound so easy and yet can be incredibly difficult. The word change itself can bring about so many ideas, assumptions and feelings. Using the student’s experience with the text as his/her guide, the student will describe the change management process and how its outcomes are affected by the needs and wants of others. Also, the student will discuss the nuances of the timing of change and the process pitfalls that can occur.

Paper

The student will complete a 7–10-page paper (excluding the title and references pages) in current APA format using at least 4 references from peer-reviewed sources. Every organization needs to have a plan or a play-book of sorts that drives the methodology for process, procedure, and programs. This plan is typically called a ‘strategic plan’. The student will develop a presentation for his/her community that shares the needs of the student’s organization and begins the process of sharing with external stakeholders the student’s intentions as the leader of this project. The student should not use existing plans that are in place with his/her organization. Rather, the student should create a presentation (plan) that plans for what he/she perceives to be the real issues.

Paper

The student will complete a 7–10-page paper (excluding the title and references pages) in current APA format using at least 4 references from peer-reviewed sources. Traditional and learning organizations have key elements that are described in the text. The student will select two elements from each organizational type and discuss the pros and cons to those types.  Additionally, the student will provide specific examples about the organization that he/she is familiar with as to whether the organization is a traditional or learning organization.