Emergency Services Leadership Institute (ESLI)
Government Relations & Public Policy

COURSE OUTLINE: This module is designed to enhance the participant’s understanding and knowledge of the ongoing relationships that exist between routine duties and responsibilities and internal and external forces that are evident in all governmental organizations.  Florida Government 101 will serve as a foundation form this section.  Traditional fire and emergency service models will be examined in the context of the political environment and public policy.  To complement this and to lend perspective, the history and traditions of the fire service will be reviewed as a means to discuss why these traditions both and help and hinder progress in the fire and emergency services.  Organizational effectiveness will be discussed and analyzed as it relates to various self-imposed standards and rules, as well as rules and laws that are mandated from other political divisions. 

The role and expectation of fire and emergency services in the community will be examined, as will other relationships that exist internal and external to the organization.  The leader’s role in their community, and the balance that must exist in their personal and professional lives, will be discussed.  In addition, this module will address the necessary relationships that a Chief Officer has to have with stakeholders in the general community, and with those in the fire and emergency service community.  The focus will be on the need to develop functional and respectful relationships with community members, special interests, elected officials, regional, state and federal organizations, as well as with those in the fire and emergency service community.

Topics:

• Florida State Government Structure and Role
• The Fire Service Defined
• Fire Service Tradition 
• Politics and the Fire Service
• The Role of Elected Officials
• The Impact of Public Policy
• The Hierarchical Role of the Chief Fire Officer
• Standards, Regulations, and Laws         
• Expanded and Expected Roles and Services
• Relationship within the Fire Rescue Community
• Relationship within the Community
• Public Policy Issues Affecting the Fire Service