When and where does the "Chain of Command" start and end ? Is it actually adhered to ?


This subject has plagued Fire Departments for years.

Some try to argue a Fire Department is a "Pseudo Military Organization." Given that reasoning , heres a definition :

(quote from Wikipedia) In a military context, the chain of command is the line of authority and responsibility along which orders are passed within a military unit and between different units. Orders are transmitted down the chain of command, from a higher-ranked soldier, such as a commissioned officer, to lower-ranked personnel who either carry out the order personally or transmit it down the chain as appropriate, until it is received by those expected to carry it out.

In general, military personnel give orders only to those directly below them in the chain of command and receive orders only from those directly above them. A service member who has difficulty carrying out a duty or order and appeals for relief directly to an officer above his immediate commander in the chain of command is likely to be disciplined for not observing the chain of command.

The concept of chain of command also implies that higher rank alone does not entitle a higher-ranking service member to give commands to anyone of lower rank. For example, an officer of unit "A" does not directly command lower-ranking members of unit "B", and is generally expected to approach an officer of unit "B" if he requires action by members of that unit. The chain of command means that individual members take orders from only one superior and only give orders to a defined group of people immediately below them.

The term is also used in a civilian management context describing comparable hierarchical structures of authority.(end quote)

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Now my rant on the subject:

Now in the real "civilian" world - we all know these aren't the everyday guidelines used in most Fire Departments and certainly not in the Buffalo New York Fire Department. These guidelines are usually sited/enforced when it suits Admin - but not enforced when applied in the reverse.

I personally believe in our Department (BFD) it is just another double standard excuse for finding fault and passing blame rather than for informational/organizational efficiencies. It seems the Admin feels they can "Break the chain" any time they want and if they need reason to "Stifle input" they site the "Chain."

That said , this is not a indictment of all Fire Departments or their Admins ! Many try and adhere to some semblance of these guidelines. Being x-military , I believe the "Chain of Command" does work when applied evenly and honestly. Many times "ego" becomes more important than guidelines.



Hope this info helped !
God Bless
Stay Safe
Quoted from :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain_of_command
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