The development of a Master Fire Plan for the fire service is designed so as to provide a tool for the logical development and progression of the fire department in the area of its response. It should be population service oriented and be tailored with the accepted services that a fire department could be expected to offer and provide. All planning and expectations should revolve around what can reasonably be expected for the area in terms of expansion and growth. Everything should be developed from and by the fire department itself as this plan is for and about them.
Assistance will involve continuous dialog with the fire department as it relates to the progress needed by the department to continuously keep pace with the projected growth of the controlling government's area, but also with their own ability to serve the public within this area. The service provided by the fire department is not always and only fire suppression; it can, and most often does, deal with numerous additional services. These “services” can exist at the present time and need to be continued, or, if non-existent, they can be envisioned as immediately necessary. Present conditions may dictate the service as a future necessity through the department's expansion of services. Assistance will involve continuous dialog with the fire department as it relates to the progress needed by the department to continuously keep pace with the projected growth of the controlling government's area, but also with their own ability to serve the public within this area. The service provided by the fire department is not always and only fire suppression; it can, and most often does, deal with numerous additional services. These “services” can exist at the present time and need to be continued, or, if non-existent, they can be envisioned as immediately necessary. Present conditions may dictate the service as a future necessity through the department's expansion of services. Expansion can be based on the projections of growth in population and the resultant increase of the department's area of operations and can involve not only the new services (or department capabilities), but station locations, equipment, and personnel.
This planning and growth of and fire the department can best be attained only through a systematic planned progression which entails and enumerates every aspect required for the accomplishment of the goal(s). Most plans of this type will cover a minimum of 5 years, with many realistically requiring 10 years; some personnel may term this as strategic planning . The initial parameters will require a self-evaluation of the department in terms of where they are, where do they want and/or need to go, and what level of service(s). I will supply a 5 page packet which will supply detailed information of services and subjects that the department may want to consider for the provision of progressive advancement of their services. Once the evaluations from these listings are established and plans for accomplishment are completed, the planning to achieve the final goal(s) can be laid out. The planning process will include the involvement in planning of all the agencies of the governmental jurisdiction who receive fire department services. Location of stations will be plotted (these will be accomplished using guidelines consistent with ISO evaluations), as well as equipment (by type) and the required personnel; personnel needs will be based on the necessities of the services to be provided and the requirements of the fire department to provide these services. Sound principles of budgeting also fall within these considerations and planning.
Areas of consideration should include as a minimum: