Master Plan Nashua Fire Rescue, NH
» The City will reimburse employees for one hundred percent (100%) of the total tuition and laboratory
fees paid by employees from their own funds, for the successful completion of job-related courses,
as well as courses leading to the granting of degrees in Fire Science, within the budget allowed.
Successful completion is defined as a grade of "C" or above for undergraduate studies and a grade of
"B" or above for graduate studies. The City shall budget $20,750 for fiscal year 2020 and thereafter
shall increase the budgeted amount by $1,000 each year beginning in fiscal year 2021 if the budget
line for this benefit has a balance of $1,000 or less at the end of each full fiscal year. Courses not
directly related to present job function but are functions performed by other personnel in the
department, the City will reimburse up to 50% of the total tuition and laboratory fees paid by the
employees from their own funds upon successful completion.
While Nashua Fire Rescue has a program in place to provide books and tuition reimbursement for its
firefighters, it is lacking a Professional Development Program. A successful Professional Development
Program will benefit both the employees and the organization they serve. The intent of the Professional
Development Program is to engage employees in identifying gaps in understanding and development that
prepares and enables him or her to be successful in current and future roles. This directly translates to
personal fulfillment and job satisfaction as well as positioning employees for future success within the
organization. A comprehensive Personal Development Program should be developed for each organizational
level: front-line personnel, first-level supervisors, mid-level managers, and senior leaders.
Nashua Fire Rescue should develop a Professional Development Program for all positions within the
organization. The International Association of Fire Chiefs has developed the Officer Development Handbook,
which is intended to function as the foundation for any organization's Professional Development Program.
The handbook provides a foundation and explanation of the basic tenets of a Professional Development
Program upon which an organization can build upon and customize to meet its own needs.
STAFFING
The size and structure of an organization’s staffing are dependent upon the specific needs of the
organization. These needs must directly correlate to the needs of the City of Nashua as a structure that works
for one agency may not necessarily work for another. This section provides an overview of Nashua Fire
Rescue's staffing configuration and management practices.
Fire department staffing can be divided into two distinct groups. The first group is typically recognized by
the citizens and is commonly known asthe operations section; it can be generally classified as the emergency
response personnel. The second group works behind the scenes to provide the support needed by the
operation’s personnel to deliver an effective emergency response and is commonly known as the
administrative section or support services section. Like many fire-rescue organizations, Nashua Fire Rescue
has distinct staff personnel—Chief Officers—who perform specific administrative functions but are also
required to perform operationally if the need arises.
fj Emergency Services
ESC) Consulting International 71
