Fire Prevention Organization: Assessing Staffing Needs

Aaron Johnson, Fire Strategistwww.TheCodeCoach.com

SURVEY

Staffing

Facilities

Tasks

What is the title of the highest ranking individual responsible for fire prevention?

How many personnel have primary responsibilities for fire prevention activities?

How many levels of supervision do inspectors have?

What is the total square footage of your facilities?

What tasks are fire prevention personnel responsible for?

“A high number of tasks are being performed by a low number of personnel.”

What is your biggest challenge?

#1 Response: Budget

#2 Response: Personnel Retention

High $ → Low ROI (perceived)

COST → BENEFIT

Industry Standard

NFPA 1730

Standard on Organization and Deployment of Fire Prevention Inspection and Code Enforcement, Plan

Review, Investigation, and Public Education Operations

NFPA 1730

“The purpose of this standard is to specify the minimum criteria addressing the effectiveness and

efficiency of the fire prevention organization functions…”

Organization and Structure

Community Risk Assessment

Common Fire Prevention ActivitiesExisting OccupanciesPlan ReviewInvestigationsPublic Education

4.7.1* The resources and personnel required to perform the level of services outlined...shall be determined…

A4.7.1. “...model for analyzing the personnel needed to achieve the level of services outlined..”

Annex C - Sample Staffing Exercise

The 5 Step Process

Outline all services provided by the fire prevention organization

Step 1

Life Safety Inspections

Fire Protection Systems ITM

Permits (hot work, events, confined space, etc.)

Training Class Delivery

Public Education

Software Administration

Policies, Procedures, R&D

Fire/Evacuation Drills

Determine time demand for each taskStep 2

Life Safety Inspections 250 hrs/yr

Fire Protection Systems ITM 300 hrs/yr

Permits (hot work, events, confined space, etc.) 200 hrs/yr

Training Class Delivery 150 hrs/yr

Public Education 200 hrs/yr

Software Administration 50 hrs/yr

Policies, Procedures, R&D 120 hrs/yr

Fire/Evacuation Drills 40 hrs/yr

Determine total personnel hours required to complete activities

Step 3

Life Safety Inspections 600 hrs/yr

Fire Protection Systems ITM 350 hrs/yr

Permits (hot work, events, confined space, etc.) 250 hrs/yr

Training Class Delivery 250 hrs/yr

Public Education 250 hrs/yr

Software Administration 100 hrs/yr

Policies, Procedures, R&D 150 hrs/yr

Fire/Evacuation Drills 80 hrs/yr

TOTAL TASK HOURS 2,030 hrs/yr

Calculate personnel total availabilityStep 4

Total Work Week Hours 2,080 hrs/yr

Less Holidays (-) 80 hrs/yr

Less Vacation (-) 40 hrs/yr

Less Sick Leave (used) (-) 40 hrs/yr

Less Required Training (-) 40 hrs/yr

Total Work Hours Available 1,880 hrs/yr

Calculate total number of personnel required to perform tasks

Step 5

Total Task Hours 2,030 hrs/yr

÷ Total Work Hours Available 1,880 hrs/yr

＝

Total Personnel Needed 1.08 FTE

Total Task Hours 10,000 hrs/yr

÷ Total Work Hours Available 1,880 hrs/yr

＝

Total Personnel Needed 5.32 FTE

Step 2: Determine time demand for each taskStep 3: Determine total personnel hours required to complete activitiesStep 4: Calculate personnel total availability

Step 5: Calculate total number of personnel required to perform tasks

Step 1: Outline all services provided by the fire prevention organization

ROI

Fire Prevention Organization: Assessing Staffing Needs

nfpa1730.info

For more information and access to the survey, resources, and report visit: