Essays on Pompano Beach

Background — Setting and Issues of the Case

In 2008, 49-year-old Brian Schafer was fired from his job as a battalion chief with the Pompano Beach Fire Department in Florida. Chief Harry Small stated that Schafer’s failure to take charge at the scene of two different firers was the reason for the termination. Small also asserted that, when questioned about the incidents, Schafer had lied when he claimed that two other qualified firefighters were already in charge by the time he arrived at the scene. Supported by his union, the Pompano Beach Professional Fire Fighters Union, Schafer contested his dismissal, noting that in his 27 years ...

The Family Medical Leave Act is a U.S. federal piece of legislation under the US Department of Labor which is aimed at providing employees with job security. It is designed to protect employees from any adverse actions by their employers whenever they are absent from work due to child adoption, child birth, serious personal illness or that of a close member of the family and moral support for a member of the army who has been called to active duty (Susser, 2004, p. 172). It provides an unpaid leave that guarantees an employee’s reinstatement to the same position ...

Communication and Problem Solving Practices in Public Safety Agencies

Abstract Communication and problem solving are necessary for public safety agencies to be effective. Employees cannot adequately respond to disasters if they do not have the correct information or the information at all. Historically, public service agencies have used different communication protocols and equipment. This has resulted in a severe lack of coordination to disasters and emergencies that require the cooperation of different public safety agencies. The September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and Hurricane Katrina are prime examples of the lack of coordinated communication and problem solving amongst different agencies. New technologies such as geographical ...

Abstract

Ethics is a loosely defined area that seeks to achieve the best solution for the benefit of greater society. Ethical decision-making is complex and challenging due to the fact that exact courses of action are often not defined or clear, given the various scenarios one might encounter. Public safety agency employees are not only likely to face ethical dilemmas on a daily basis, but be expected to uphold high ethical standards. The literature on ethical decision making training within public safety agencies stipulates certain guidelines. These guidelines include ensuring that employees are able to define what comprises an ethical ...

Abstract

Emergency planning is a challenge for public service agencies facing budget cuts, changes in available technology, changing community needs, and the consolidations of agencies with different missions and objectives. The literature on how public safety agencies can best respond to emergencies stress the importance of not consolidating emergency management service, fire and police departments. The literature also emphasizes the importance of the planning process, and how information systems can help with the consolidation of information and analysis. Response methods and analysis primarily come from the planning process, although feedback from the front-line is necessary. The City of Pompano Beach’ ...

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 ...

Abstract

Public safety agencies have a tendency to ignore leadership succession planning and the formal development of future leaders. A combination of budget cuts, a lack of internal interest, increased public scrutiny, and politics means that public agencies often do not prepare for leadership changes. The average leadership tenure in the public sector has a reputation for being more extensive than the private sector, which is perhaps one of the reasons why public agencies do not place as much importance on succession planning. The average tenure of leaders in fire and rescue agencies is shortening due to increased job demands ...

Management

Mission Statement The mission statement of the City of Pompano Beach in Florida states that its basic purpose is to respond to emergency requests on a timely manner and ensure the cost effective delivery of highest quality of care for the visitors and residents of the city (Pompano Beach Florida Fire and Rescue, n.d.). Basically, PBFRs mission encompasses the need to address the social need for immediate relief during critical situations. The existing problem in communities includes untoward incidents involving fire and other circumstances that cause devastation. However, the need for immediate assistance to prevent further damage caused by ...