SWOT Analysis

The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis is designed to identify an agency’s positive and less-than-desirable attributes. The input from the internal stakeholders focused on the strengths and weaknesses with the opportunities and threats being addressed by the external stakeholders. STRENGTHS:

A high level of importance needs to be placed on an organization’s ability to identify its strengths in order to ensure the provision of high quality services to the community. Recognizing organizational strengths can identify programs that are both efficient and effective in their performance. The following strengths were identified by the internal stakeholders: • Annual State of the Department address • Formal disciplinary process/Matrix • Operations staffing levels • Cross-training • Station repairs done in-house • Lieutenant officer’s academy • Target-Solutions • Top 100 Fleets Blue Seal • Fitness equipment at fire stations • Smoke alarm installation program • Fire extinguisher training • Fire equipment • Pulse Point • Experienced staff • NFA Training Opportunities • TCFP course requirements for promotion • Non-uniform city offered training courses • Communications center • Interagency relationships • Assessment center • Civilians included in awards program • Multimedia communication outlets • Staff meeting minutes • History of professionalism • Technology • Large applicant pool • Increased paramedic staffing levels and programs • Established SOPs • Awards Program • Peer fitness trainers • Community health and wellness program • Displays • Hands-only CPR training • Communications training program • Public information officer • FTO/CTO mentor program • Training facility • Relationships with hospitals • AMI Policy • Uniform personnel at Communications division • Education requirements for promotion

Continuous improvement is a process of identifying any weaknesses within an organization and taking strides to minimize the impacts. The reduction in efficiency as a result of weaknesses must be addressed and improved upon to maintain a high level of service delivery for the internal and external stakeholders. The first step to addressing any weaknesses is to identify them. The following weaknesses were identified by the internal stakeholders: • Non-standardized communications • Lack of values • Promotional process • Low morale • Hiring process • Uneven cross-training • Lack of real world training • Budgetary constraints • Disconnect between divisions • No explanations with departmental changes • State of Department for officers only • Subpar uniform standards • Disrespect between personnel • Public education on fire department services • No Wi-Fi at stations with old computers • Assessment center for Chiefs only • Promotional process is test based • Disconnect between line and support personnel • Lack of officer development • Outdated matrix • Outdated training academy • Focus on minimum standards • Abuse of rank/position • No closure on emergency calls for communications • Minimal utilization of paperless technology • Lack of leadership training • No fit for duty standards • Renovations of stations or new stations • Minimal community interaction • Lack of promotional ability for non-uniformed personnel • Education requirements for promotion • Agency opposing policy between departments • Communications staff burn out/turnover • Minimal live fire training • Lack of following through on discipline • Poor examples/inexperienced training academy staff • Minimum time to become a paramedic• FTO officer deficiencies

• Fire Department Headquarters • Inconsistent accountability • Support division staffing shortages • Lack of leadership • Department wide training • No mentoring during promotional probation period • Station repair time frames • Minimal utilization of FireWire

• Specialty certification burn-out • Line personnel not rotating through support divisions

The identification of opportunities recognizes external options that provide for favorable situations, resulting in positive impacts to an organization. These opportunities provide avenues of continuous improvement within an organization to grow and foster a positive work environment. The following opportunities were identified by the external stakeholders: • Private industry collaboration with Fire Prevention • Alternative funding sources (grants) • Socio-economic growth projections • Medical network partnerships • Interagency interaction and training • Social media public relations platforms • Community Para-Medicine • Local industry training/resource allocation • Technological advances

THREATS:

Threats are external factors that can negatively impact the efficiency and effectiveness of an organization. By recognizing possible threats, an organization can greatly reduce the potential for loss. Fundamental to the success of any strategic plan is the understanding that threats are not completely or directly controlled by the organization. The following threats were identified by the external stakeholders: • Lack of multiagency mock drills • Lack of gauging city growth through city planning • Budgetary constraints • Keeping up with medical innovation • Ambulances stored outside • Inadequate building access • Border proximity/refugees • EPFD understaffing in multiple areas • Inconsistency in fire code application • Specialty response units not exclusively trained in one area • Re-emergence of epidemic diseases • Constant turnover of new/different EPFD representatives • Lightweight building components • Political agendas