Reputation Management

VCOS VISION image Reputation management is the foundation of viable emergency service organizations (ESOs). ESO members are held to a higher standard and trust must be maintained. News media, increased communication technology and sensationalized journalism all make the emergency service vulnerable to imprudent actions that can do immediate and long-term damage to the reputation of the ESO and emergency service overall.

No matter how careful and prepared an organization is, unforeseen and unfortunate events are a reality of the business and must be planned for.

Company Officer Leadership: Reputation Management

Article written by Captain Mike Jaffa for IAFC On Scene.

Confronting Ethical and Moral Dilemmas in the Firehouse

An article from Firefighter Nation about how to manage dilemmas in the firehouse.
  • IAFC Position Statement

IAFC Position: Active Involvement with Emergency Management

IAFC Supports Active Involvement with Emergency Management; Promoting Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness, and Effective Response for a Reduced

IAFC Position: Active Shooter and Mass Casualty Terrorist Events

The emerging threat of terrorism and asymmetric warfare, specifically small unit active shooter and improvised explosive device
  • IAFC Position Statement

IAFC Position: Alarm Industry Use of the FirstNet Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network

The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-96) was signed into law by the ...
  • IAFC Position Statement

IAFC Position: Assignment of Portable Radios/Two-Way Communications Devices to Every Firefighter on the Fireground

IAFC adopted the position that every firefighter operating on the fireground be equipped with a portable radio/two-way communications device.
  • IAFC Position Statement

IAFC Position: Chief Fire Officer Designate

IAFC Encourages All Members to Undertake the Process to Become a Chief Fire Officer Designate In 1993, the International Association ...

IAFC Position: Code of Ethics For Chiefs

The purpose of the IAFC is to actively support the advancement of the fire and emergency service, dedicated to the ...

IAFC Position: Consistency of Message to Federal Government

Policy on Consistency of Message to Federal Government To ensure the consistency of the IAFC message to both the administration ...
  • IAFC Position Statement

IAFC Position: Consolidation of Fire/Emergency and Law Enforcement Departments and the Creation of Public Safety Officers

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) restates and reaffirms its position in opposition to the consolidation of fire and ...
  • IAFC Position Statement

IAFC Position: Consumer Fireworks

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) adopts the position that the importation, sale and use of all consumer fireworks ...
  • IAFC Position Statement

IAFC Position: Drug and Alcohol-Free Awareness

The IAFC supports and encourages drug and alcohol-free fire and emergency service agencies/organizations.
  • IAFC Position Statement

IAFC Position: Fire Emergency Self-Assessment Process

IAFC Promotes the Use of the Fire Emergency Self-Assessment Process as a Means to Enhance Organizational Performance and Provides a ...
  • IAFC Position Statement

IAFC Position: Fire Sprinkler Retrofit of Existing High-Rise Buildings

Modern fire and building codes require complete automatic fire sprinkler protection and a variety of other safety features in new ...

IAFC Position: Fire Sprinklers in New Construction

The International Association of Fire Chiefs adopts the position that all new construction, including one- and two-family
  • IAFC Position Statement

IAFC Position: Fire-based Emergency Medical Services

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) restates and reaffirms existing resolutions and announces its position in support of
  • IAFC Position Statement

IAFC Position: Firefighter Safety and Lightweight Construction

Buildings incorporating lightweight construction* are likely to present a severe hazard to firefighter safety, if a fire
  • IAFC Position Statement

IAFC Position: Firefighter Safety and Prevention of Firefighter Injuries and Deaths

IAFC Supports the Need for Constant Scrutiny and Upgrade of Policies/Practices Related to Firefighter Safety and Prevention of 
  • IAFC Position Statement

IAFC Position: Health and Fitness Programs for Every Department

The IAFC supports the adoption and implementation of a comprehensive health and fitness program in every fire department
  • IAFC Position Statement

IAFC Position: Home Rule Code Adoption Authority for Fire and Life Safety Issues

The IAFC strongly believes that fire protection is best delivered by local officials using national model building codes with assistance ...

IAFC Position: Human Relations and Inclusiveness

The words we speak and write play a significant role in creating the reality of an inclusive work environment. With ...
  • IAFC Position Statement

IAFC Position: IAFC/IAFF Candidate Physical Ability Test

IAFC Supports the IAFC/IAFF Candidate Physical Ability Test IAFC and the IAFF recognize the need of the fire service to ...
  • IAFC Position Statement

IAFC Position: Individuals` Rights to Serve Their Communities in Multiple Capacities

IAFC's statement supporting Individuals` Rights to Serve Their Communities in Multiple Capacities.
  • IAFC Position Statement

IAFC Position: National Drug Shortage

Fire departments and EMS agencies throughout the United States are experiencing critical shortages of drugs that are used to save ...
  • IAFC Position Statement

IAFC Position: National Smallpox Vaccination Plan

The IAFC Recommends That Fire Departments Be Prepared For and Have the Capacity to Participate in Phase II of the ...
  • IAFC Position Statement

IAFC Position: Need for Annual Occupational Medical Exams and Fitness Evaluations

The IAFC supports the implementation of annual medical examinations and fitness evaluations for all firefighters.

IAFC Position: No Tolerance for Discriminatory Behavior in the Fire and Emergency Service

The IAFC firmly believes in no tolerance for acts of inappropriate and illegal discriminatory behaviors in the fire and emergency ...
  • IAFC Position Statement

IAFC Position: PASS Devices and NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Investigations

The IAFC is providing information on the PASS Devices and NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Investigations.
  • IAFC Position Statement

IAFC Position: Plain Language Use in Radio Communications

The IAFC adopts the position to encourage chiefs of fire and rescue departments to implement radio practices that minimize or ...
  • IAFC Position Statement

IAFC Position: Practice of Self-Dispatch Among Emergency Response Personnel

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) discourage the practice of self-dispatch
  • IAFC Position Statement

IAFC Position: Recommended Wildland Fire Mitigation Practices for Property Owners, Guidelines for Use of Private Resources

Recommended Wildland Fire Mitigation Practices for Property Owners and Guidelines for Use of Private Resources

IAFC Position: Residential Range-Top Safety

The IAFC is providing the following position statement, in order to assist Fire Chiefs and Fire Safety Professionals in responding ...

IAFC Position: Royalty Agreements

Policy on IAFC Partnerships with Royalty Agreements  This policy establishes guidelines governing the implementation of partnerships
  • IAFC Position Statement

IAFC Position: Seatbelt Usage

Motor vehicle accidents account for approximately twenty-five percent of firefighter line of duty deaths and many injuries per

Managing Conflict in Combination Fire Departments

Evaluation of the causes of conflict within combination fire departments & how to manage them.
  • Ponderosa Fire Department

Multiple Operational Guidelines (Ponderosa Vol Fire Dept, TX)

Standard operational guidelines provided by Ponderosa Vol Fire Dept. as samples.

SOP: Personal Technology (Glassy Mountain Fire Dept)

Glassy Mountain Fire Department policy on the use of personal electronic equipment while on duty.

SOP: Use of Department Uniforms (Albuquerque Fire Dept)

Albuquerque Fire Department policy reference the use of department uniforms.

SOP: Use of Personal Electronic Devices (Albuquerque Fire Dept)

SOP referencing the use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices while on duty.

SOP: Use of Photos and Videos (Albuquerque Fire Dept)

Albuquerque Fire Department policy on the use of photos and videos.
  • Taking Responsibility for a Positive Public Perception - See more at: http://iafc.matrixredesign.net/topics-and-tools/resources/resource/taking-responsibility-for-a-positive-public-perception#sthash.50dPeNyK.dpuf

Taking Responsibility for a Positive Public Perception

A toolkit on how to promote a positive public image for fire/EMS departments.
  • Red Ribbon Report

VCOS Red Ribbon Report: Leading the Transition in Volunteer and Combination Fire Departments

This VCOS ribbon report discusses how to begin the process of integrating paid staff into a volunteer department.
  • VCOS Silver Ribbon Report

VCOS Silver Ribbon Report: Guidelines and Best Practices for a Successful Youth Fire Service Program

Guidelines on how to start and maintain an effective program for youth in the fire service.

VFIS Leadership 101

A primer on leadership issues for Emergency Service leaders to consider.

White Paper: Fire Service Reputation Management (Cumberland Valley)

Details the state of the reputation of the fire service and ways to maintain a positive reputation.
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You're the Fire Chief; Now What? Guidance for New and Interim Fire Chiefs

Guidance to assist in first 100 days as a new or interim chief.