Training Needs for Fire Service Leaders, Managers and Supervisors

Shrinking government budgets, increased demand for tax dollars and a changing workforce have underlined the need for effective fire service managers and leaders. Have fire service leaders received sufficient training to meet the task? The purpose of this research was to determine what type of supervisory, management and leadership skills were believed necessary to increase the effectiveness of the leaders of organizations and to determine how the training received by the Fresno-Kings Ranger Unit management staff compared with the recommendations and to determine a importance rating of 18 training topics. An evaluative research method was used. The research questions addressed by this projects were: What leadership, management and/or supervisory techniques, skills and traits did the literature describe as being important to successful leaders? What type of management, leadership and/or supervisory training have the leaders of Fresno-Kings Ranger Unit received? Was the training they received timely? Do they use the principles taught in the training? How did the training these supervisors and managers believe is important compare to what is taught in the Executive Leadership course? The literature was reviewed, targeting both fire and emergency service authors and private industry leaders