The City of Warrensburg Fire Department provides fire fighting, rescue, first responder, fire prevention, and emergency management services to the citizens of Warrensburg, MO. With a population was 18,838 and is the county seat of Johnson County and the home to the University of Central Missouri. The department operates three full time shifts on a 24 hour on duty, 48 hour off duty rotation. Each shift is managed by a Battalion Chief and two Engine Companies, which consists of a Captain and two firefighters. Since 1996, 36 students from the University of Central Missouri have participated in a student resident apprentice program. (Warrensburg Fire Department, n.d.). The department provides a variety of services including emergency prevention programs to schools, churches, Boy and Girl Scout, and other community groups throughout the year. They also prepare pre-incident plans for businesses and apartment buildings in the city. The full time staff is supported by 18 part time firefighters and up to 6 student resident/part time firefighters The fire department is operated by the municipal city or Warrensburg and is under the direction of Fire Chief Jim Kushner since 2013 (Warrrensburg Fire Department Operations, n.d.).
UCM utilizes the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as its standard for incident management in compliance with the Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD). The National Incident Management System (NIMS) is a “systematic, proactive approach to guide departments and agencies at all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to work together seamlessly and manage incidents involving all threats and hazards—regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity—in order to reduce loss of life, property and harm to the environment” (National Incident Management System, 2014, para.1). The Warrensburg Fire Department is NIMS compliant and responsible for developing, maintaining and sustaining NIMS training and the IS-700, ICS-100, 200. Additionally, to keep federal funding, the department must keep files of training records, copies of certificates and copies of SOP's/SOG's to prove that the training and procedures have been completed. They also use the Incident Command System (ICS) and coordinate with other local and state emergency management agencies. For example, they work with UCM requires to conduct residence hall fire drills during the fall and spring semesters. They also work closely with SEMA, the Department of Public Safety. NIMS is used to coordinate much of this cooperation between agencies and departments. On a daily basis, NIMS sets guidelines for responding to incidents, and is not just for big emergencies. NIMS is used to form an incident management team on type IV and V incidents and when supporting agencies are necessary. According to the firefighters, NIMS allows incident commanders to focus on their primary job, protecting the citizens of Warrensburg.
Extensive training and certification is required for employment. All firefighters are trained as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) or a higher level of training and respond to medical emergencies in conjunction with the Johnson County Ambulance District. For employment, they pass a written exam, physical ability test, and oral interview, pass a pre-employment drug screen, pass a pre-employment physical, complete 16 weeks Fire Academy training, pass the State Firefighter 1 & 2 Exams, and maintain certification as an EMT, within one year of employment and throughout your employment with the Department (Warrensburg Fire Department, n.d.). The ICS classes required include: IS 100 Introduction to Incident Command System, IS 200 ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents, IS 700 National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction, IS 800 National Response Framework, An Introduction, IS 300 (also known as ICS 300) Intermediate ICS f.G 400 (also known as ICS 400) (Fema, 2014, para. 3). According to firefighters at the station, the IS 100 and 700 classes are easy to complete online.
This fire department was professional, organized and community oriented. They work with many sectors of the community, including city and county government, health care, non-profit groups and the university. I would consider a career in this field. The pays seems good, the benefits are excellent and it seems like a rewarding profession. There also seems to be many positions in emergency management related to the Fire Department, and it seems like a growing field with potential career advancement. However, I was told there was a lot of government “red tape” involved, including certification and training with constantly changing rules. If possible, I would like to work in the private sector, focusing on disaster risk, response, and recovery.
References
"National Incident Management System | FEMA.gov." National Incident Management System | FEMA.gov. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.
Nicholson, W. C. (2003). Emergency response and emergency management law: Cases and materials. C.C. Thomas.
Waugh Jr, W. L. (2009). Mechanisms for collaboration in emergency management: ICS, NIMS, and the problem with command and control. The collaborative public manager: new ideas for the twenty-first century, 157-175.
Warrensburg Fire Department Operations. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.
