From the author: This 3rd edition is about organized common sense in the fire service. Section One provides support to fire departments that already have a strategic plan and just need to update and revise their existing plan. I have found over my 30 years of consulting with fire department’s that they want to accomplish their next iteration of their strategic plan as rapidly as possible. Section Two provides a detailed “How-to” guide to help a fire department create its first strategic plan. Section Two is divided into four parts: (1) Understanding the Department, (2) Understanding the Situation, (3) Understanding the Strategic Issues Facing the Department, and (4) Creating Organizational Change. A new chapter (Chapter 20) provides assistance to those departments having challenges with their strategic plan and obtaining the desired outcomes/results. It adds a new troubleshooting process for those departments having challenges to create an effective and successful strategic plan. The book is designed to be effective as a manual to develop an individual fire department’s strategic plan as well as a textbook for use in upper division college/university courses or as a text for post-graduate courses.

Fire and Emergency Services Administration: Management and Leadership Practices, Second Edition covers the latest course objectives from the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education’s (FESHE) Bachelor’s Core Level Fire and Emergency Services Administration model curriculum. To effectively lead modern public safety organizations and the various components within them, individuals must possess a solid understanding of the always-changing issues that face the fire and emergency medical services. The second edition of Fire and Emergency Services Administration: Management and Leadership Practices has been completely updated to deliver the very latest information needed to understand these challenges and will assist managers in making the proper decisions that can impact all aspects of their organization. The Second Edition features: Expanded emphasis on management and leadership of EMS operations. Updated budgeting financial strategies, including advice on how to overcome shrinking budgets and economic downturn. New guidance on hiring and diversity. Expanded coverage on training, education, and fire fighter safety. The following features are incorporated throughout the Second Edition: Chapter Objectives: FESHE Objectives and Knowledge Objectives are listed at the beginning of each chapter, including page references. Case Studies: Real-life incidents help stimulate student discussion and highlight important concepts. Facts and Figures: Provides useful and interesting history, facts, and other research relating to the fire and emergency services. Words of Wisdom: Presents powerful and informative quotes from organizational leaders and experts in their fields. Chief Officer Tips: Targeted advice to deal with common administrative issues and introduce techniques to implement change. Chapter Activities: End-of-chapter Fire and EMS activities reinforce important concepts and improve students’ comprehension.

The physical demands of tactical professions such as military, law enforcement, and fire and rescue require those workers to be in top physical condition to perform their jobs well and decrease the risk of injury. NSCA’s Essentials of Tactical Strength and Conditioning contains scientific information to assist in implementing or restructuring strength and conditioning programs at commercial or government fitness centers that work with these tactical athletes to achieve those goals. Designed primarily as a preparatory resource for the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator (TSAC-F) certification, the text is also useful as a manual for government agencies or a daily reference for strength and conditioning professionals. Editors Brent A. Alvar, Katie Sell, and Patricia A. Deuster have extensive experience as scholars and practitioners in their respective fields. They have assembled a team of distinguished contributors who bring to light current trends in strength and conditioning through their combined experiences as professionals in the fields of academia, athletic training, firefighting, law enforcement, military, nutrition, physical therapy, and strength and conditioning. The contributors not only provide foundational knowledge of exercise physiology and biomechanical movement patterns, but they also comprehensively review all of the components necessary for TSAC Facilitators to design and operate successful training programs for tactical athletes. Separate chapters focus on the specific physiological issues related to military, law enforcement, and fire and rescue personnel, including how a strength and conditioning program should directly correlate to their critical job tasks and the specific environmental, occupational, and exposure concerns for each population. Topics such as nutrition, supplements, injury treatment and rehabilitation, wellness interventions, and assessments and evaluations are discussed for professionals who work with tactical populations. Additionally, exercises, drills, and techniques targeting the specific needs of tactical athletes in areas such as flexibility, mobility, speed, agility, power, and aerobic endurance are described in great detail and accompanied by full-color photos. Each chapter of NSCA’s Essentials of Tactical Strength and Conditioning begins with learning objectives and incorporates key terms, diagrams, detailed photographs, and key points throughout the text to help guide readers and facilitate comprehension of concepts. Sidebars and sample programs are included in some chapters to help readers apply theoretical concepts in their professional practice. Additionally, for instructors using the book, or the TSAC-F exam prep symposia, a presentation package plus image bank with more than 300 photos and illustrations is available, making preparation easier with the use of predeveloped materials that correspond with the book’s content. Ultimately, the goal of NSCA’s Essentials of Tactical Strength and Conditioning is to help prepare those seeking TSAC-F certification and to serve as a resource for professionals so that they can implement an optimal strength and conditioning program targeted for tactical athletes that will decrease their risk of injury and optimize performance.

This Guide provides the rationale and suggestions for implementing a health and wellness program successfully in the volunteer fire and emergency services.

Fire and Emergency Services Administration: Management and Leadership Practices, Third Edition, provides aspiring and current chief officers who administer, manage, or lead fire, emergency medical services (EMS), rescue, and/or emergency management organizations with the knowledge to make policy decisions and the skills needed to lead their organizations through progressive change.