Program Goal # 1
Upon completion of the Public Safety Administration Program, students will have demonstrated the acquisition of the ability to apply appropriate strategies to manage, supervise, and lead public safety administration departments and staff.
Evidence
Issues about public safety are of great concern to the communities. Communities and individuals are exposed to various environmental hazards. If nothing is done to uphold safety standards, communities and individuals suffer. People who are concerned with ensuring that the public thrives in safe conditions are therefore expected to be knowledgeable about various issues surrounding public safety. Being a potential officer involved in safety issues in the future, the Public Safety Administration Program offered in the college will play a critical role in my professional endeavors. This is because the program has equipped me with the vital knowledge necessary for the effective and efficient administration of public safety.
Although the issues of safety can be diverse, PAD4603 Administrative Law gave me insights on how to administer safety in the context of public interest. Oil spills are one of the areas which have attracted a lot of interest when it comes to environmental pollution and safety of communities. In my research paper on Administrative Law, I learned more about legal aspects surrounding oil spills. Specifically, I got an idea on the legal implications of the oil spills. I have an interest in playing an active role in situations similar to oil spills in the future. Through the research I conducted, I learned how to do many things including the analysis of applicable federal administrative rules, regulations, and codes governing certain safety issue of public concern. I also learned to be aware of the agencies responsible for handling various related disasters. The ability to identify parties responsible for compensating victims of man-made disasters is also a critical knowledge I learned through the research. Further, I got an idea of how the entities affected can seek legal remedies when there is a man-made disaster. Finally, through the course and the research, I have appreciated the need to develop effective policies that can be used to prevent disasters from occurring in the future.
Leading a team which is concerned with public safety requires knowledge of various aspects. One imperative measure is to ensure that the team members are well trained and informed enough on the various competency skills required in their profession. Another important thing is to ensure that there is an efficient and effective organizational structure. Besides a good structure, there is also a need to ensure that there is sufficient resources to carry out the activities. I got these ideas after covering PAD4332 Strategic and Operational Planning. I realized that to be a competent leader in public safety in the future; I need to understand how to develop a Strategic and Operational Plan. In the Strategic and Operational Plan I developed for Pompano Beach Fire Department, I realized that some of the most important elements of a strategic plan are mission, vision, and core values of the organization/team. In addition, I also learned how to carry out a departmental or organizational SWOT analysis which paves the way for the identification of areas that need to be improved. There are also key issues I learned which include the need to have in place strategic issues to be prioritized, strategic goals to be addressed, key actions required and an action plan, initiatives to address strategic goals, implementation plan, and monitoring and evaluation.
Program Goal # 2
Upon completion of the Public Safety Administration Program, students will have demonstrated the acquisition of the ability to accurately evaluate response methods related to rapidly changing environments and communities.
Evidence
The environment in which communities live is dynamic. Activities in which communities also engage in are dynamic. Communities are in continuous search of resources and some of the activities they do which include over-exploitation of natural resources and pollution harm the environment. In the process, there occurs disasters which can affect lives of the communities. It is, therefore, necessary to develop an accurate mechanism for evaluation of the response methods that are likely to occur in rapidly changing environments and communities. In their quest for energy, communities might decide to use available energy sources. However, it has been found out that certain use of energy resources lead to the pollution of the atmosphere and depletion of the ozone layer. This causes global warming. Global warming has been associated with climate change. One of the consequences of climate change is extreme weather with conditions such as thunderstorms, typhoons, and desert-like conditions. Communities might also engage in the consumption of certain materials which result in environmental damage or pollution when they are carelessly disposed of. The course on Public Safety and Administration Program has helped me to identify various approaches to evaluation of response methods in a dynamic environment.
PAD4603 Administrative Law allowed me to understand how legal measures can be developed to help in addressing cases of safety in the community and also to help in holding parties liable for their actions. Once a public safety issue is raised, the knowledge I gained in PAD4603 allows me to evaluate accurately legal responses that may apply in such a situation. Such legal responses can be in terms of compensation, assessing costs of damage, policies, regulations, and laws set by the federal states.
Instead of waiting issues to happen in order to take action, the knowledge gained in PAD4332 Strategic and Operational Planning helps me to take a proactive approach if I am the one responsible for the public safety administration. In the course, I learned that technique of the development of a response plan. For example, in the case of fuels which contribute to global warming, one of the response methods that can be selected to curb emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is to use green technologies such as renewable energy resources. The development of response method involves equipping the team members who are tasked with fire safety with appropriate skills. In the course, I learned how to develop a mission, vision, and core values for the team. In order to develop accurate evaluation strategies, there is a need to conduct a SWOT analysis. A SWOT analysis help in understanding where there are threats and weaknesses so that the threats can be minimized and the weakness improved. These are the concepts I learned during the assignment for the preparation of Strategic and Operational Plan for the Fire Department of Pompano Beach.
In an attempt to seek response methods, one of the most important things to consider is the available mechanisms to respond to various safety concerns. Some of the mechanisms include policies. Inadequate policies need to be modified to respond to safety issues in better way. During the study of PAD3034 Survey of Public Policy, I learned the relevance of public policy review. The skills I learn would be applicable in the future when I conduct public policies on various issues of public safety. In the project of Survey of Public Policy, I gained knowledge which enabled me to understand decision-making processes in government and other public entities, particularly the presidential and congressional decision-making processes. This is very important because most of the agencies tasked with safety issues belong to the government.
Program Goal # 3
Upon completion of the Public Safety Administration Program, students will have demonstrated the acquisition of the ability to summarize ethical and legal decision-making processes in public safety administration using higher order critical thinking skills.
Evidence
Public safety is an area of great concern. Often, there are decisions made with regard to various issues. Most of the decisions made border on ethical and legal aspects. However, decision-making processes in public issues are not done in haphazard manner. In the program of public safety and administration, I have learned that decision-making processes in public matters are carried out in a systematic manner using the laid down procedures. This is because decisions made affect many people and some people might be affected more than others. Not all members of the public are of a similar view. As such, I have appreciated that the decision-making process needs to be participative in many instances. When I was preparing the project of Survey of Public Policy, I realized that the law grants the president and the congress permission to make decisions. However, even when the president makes a decision, it has to be approved by the congress. Nonetheless, the president may issue executive orders without the approval of the congress. This knowledge I gained is very useful in understanding the right decision-making processes in government especially in matters which concern the public at large.
Decisions are made while considering other factors. One of the major factors to consider are the ethical implications of the decisions made. Certain decisions aim to satisfy a few at the expense of the majority while other decisions might satisfy the majority and dissatisfy a few. In some circumstances, the decisions are made without considering whether they satisfy or does not satisfy anyone because the decision-makers base their decisions on normative ethics especially duty theories. When it comes to public decision making, I have learned that participation by members of the public is very important. I have also learned that even if the members of the public are not involved, their representatives such as the congress and other electorates can represent their views. Due to the divergent views of the members of the public, I have learned that the best approach is to evaluate and choose any of the alternative decisions in a manner which is in line with the ethical principles. This is possible by the elimination of any unethical options so that the best alternatives only remain. In certain cases, institutions mandated to make public decisions may not agree on some issues. This results in a conflict. The knowledge I gained in PAD4046 Managing Conflict in Public Organizations allow me to appreciate conflicts which can arise in public organizations. In my research on the management of conflict, I learned conflict in organizations could be an obstacle to progress. A manager is therefore required to possess certain skills needed to handle such conflicts. The research project allowed me to understand techniques which are very vital for handling conflicts in the workplace. In the future, I aspire to rise from junior level position to level management position. As a result, I expect to utilize the knowledge I have gained to manage conflicts in the workplace effectively.
Decision-making processes sometimes involve issues which are subject to legal actions. In such a case, decisions made must be in line with the constitution and other laws. In the PAD4603 Administrative Law, I learned that the laws should not limit others ability to enjoy the fundamental rights and freedoms. Just like the case of the ethical decision-making process, the method used in legal decision-making process also requires to be sanctioned by the public or representatives of the members of the public such as the president or the congress. This knowledge allows me to understand how decisions touching on legal matters are made in the government. Making decisions might also involve a review of public policies and the knowledge gained in PAD 3034 Survey of Public Policy become relevant. This knowledge also helps me in the future in case I am nominated to be involved in decision-making processes where legal matters are concerned.
Program Goal # 4
Upon completion of the Public Safety Administration Program, students will have demonstrated the acquisition of the ability to investigate effective communication and problem-solving practices for application to various public safety administration scenarios
Evidence
In addition to a number of knowledge areas, the public safety program offered by the college have adequately prepared me on aspects of communication and problem-solving techniques. In order to be an effective public safety professional, I must be not only good in communication but also in problem solving. This is because as a public safety professional, I will be required to communicate with various stakeholders. In addition, I will be expected to contribute to finding solutions to problems affecting the various communities. This explains why being good in communication and problem-solving skills is very important for a competent professional.
As a professional concerned with public safety, the knowledge I have acquired in the program has prepared me to excel in various forms of communication skills including listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Every course in the program has prepared me to appreciate both verbal and non-verbal communication. While studying for the course, presenting assignments, and participating in other activities, I have been employing non-verbal communication tools such as body language, gestures, facial expressions, and the general appearance. In order to increase my competency, I have always used every opportunity to advance my communication skills. I have appreciated the fact that not all people view communication tools the same. Some respond more to certain tools than others. In a conference room, some participants might be interested in just listening to a public lecture while other participants might be interested in public lecture accompanied by visual graphics such as use of PowerPoint. These ideas have allowed me to be in a position to make good presentations in the future.
While learning PAD4603 Public Administration, I realized that as a future public administrator, I will act as a link between policy makers and the public. In order for me to operate effectively, I need to consider public concerns and desires. This is where good communication skills I have learned would allow me to engage with members of the public on the discussions and debates. I would also employ communication skills to communicate with the policy makers. Communication then serves to guide public policy change as well as reforms. Effective use of communication skills I have learned would enable me to persuade the key decision-makers to make the necessary changes as per the wishes of the public. This cannot happen if I have poor communication skills. The decision-makers could be political actors or other stakeholders in the public safety. In PAD4332 Strategic and Operational Planning, one of the things I learned is the need to make sure that there is the efficient dissemination of information during times of emergencies. During times of emergencies, I have learned that public administrators communicate to the members of the public so that they get informed of the imminent dangers as well as the recommended course of action. As a future public safety official, the communication skills I have gained would help me to disseminate information to the members of the public so that people remain safe and secure. In order to communicate, I might be using social media, organization of press conferences, notification of news outlets to inform people they need evacuate or minimize risks of being infected with certain diseases during periods of public health crisis. Communication skills learned in the program will also enable me to work effectively with media in the dissemination of information.
Problems are at the center of most public safety. This applies more to the situation of a manager. For one to work effectively and efficiently, one needs to possess good problem-solving skills. If I happen to be involved in situations that demand problem-solving skills, the knowledge, and the confidence I have gained in the program would allow me to offer effective solutions. Over time, I have realized that the solution to a problem requires a systematic approach which begins with a good definition of the problem, generation of alternatives, evaluation and selection of alternatives, and implementation of solutions. This four-step process has proved to work in the past, and I would employ it to solve problems in the future.
Summary
The Public Safety Administration Program offered in the college is very relevant for my future professional assignment. The skills I have learned and the knowledge I have gained through the courses offered in the program are of practical importance to a public safety officer. This includes the management, supervision, and leadership in public safety administration departments as well as individual staff. The knowledge learned also allow me to evaluate various response techniques associated with the rapidly changing environment and communities. Learning the courses have also equipped me with the knowledge to develop a clear strategy on decision-making processes bordering on not only ethics but also legal aspects of public safety administration. The additional reading materials and the skills I learned while carrying out the research projects have allowed me to identify effective communication and problem-solving skills that I can apply in various scenarios as a public safety administration professional. The program has prepared me with the confidence needed to work efficiently and effectively as a public safety administrator capable of playing various roles and taking challenging assignments.
