Role and History of Fire Services in the UAE and UK - Case Study Example

MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP 11th June, 2008 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Executive Summary…………………………………………………………3.0 2. Introduction…………………………………………………………………3.0 3. Historical development of fire services……………………………………..4.0 3.1 Role/ history of fire services in UAE. ………………………….…..4.0 3.2 Role /history of UK fire services …………………………………...4.0 3.3 Comparison of settings in which each operate ………………….….5.0 4. Leadership Theories and Styles…………...………………………………...5.0 4.1 Management and Leadership theories in practice……..…………….5.0 4.2 Leadership and Management within UAE fire services……………..6.0 4.3 Leadership and Management in GB fire services……………………7.0 5. Main changes in UK and UAE fire services………………………………...8.0 6. Conclusion……………………………………………………..……………9.0 7. Bibliography…………………………………………………….……….. .10.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Fire and rescue services have been a daunting challenge for the fearless natives who spend their lives in fury and dread for the welfare and protection of the people around. The following report deals with the role and history of fire services in UAE and UK. Organizations can be managed well when the leaders are taken as the role models by the followers, hence how the Leadership and Management work hand in hand is also critically examined in the report. INTRODUCTION In the dynamic world where growth is measured in terms of development, expansion and innovation, rapid changes are imbibed by the fire and rescue services as well, to improve and transform themselves as per the requisites and challenge unnerved by the environment. The achievements and accomplishments of any organization are backed by effective leadership and synchronized management for this a detailed study of the determinants of effectual leadership would be examined in the report. The structure of fire services and a comparison of services in different countries would help us to analyze the best practices and measures which can be adopted universally for superior results as would be done by comparing the UK and UAE fire services. To study the impact of management and leadership, the role of GB fire services who are emerging champions in the field of protection, will also be highlighted ahead in the report. HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF FIRE SERVICES Since ancient times, people have explored various means to curb the disaster triggered through flames. Changing environment has forced the innovation of contemporary means to deal with the fatal situation. ROLE/ HISTORY OF FIRE SERVICES IN UAE Role of fire services in UAE has been imperative from the past times till present day. The Arabian countries have witnessed a number of fire outrages in the past years resulting in significant property and life loss. The major hindrance in the development of services in UAE is the unawareness among the masses and deficient infrastructural designs. The civil defence services are trying to enforce safety protocol and norms during the pre and post construction phases of the buildings, yet it is not a legal requirement in the UAE (ArabianBusiness.com staff writer, 2007). Training and development of employees are now considered crucial for implementing the fire fighting strategies in UAE especially to deal with the terrorism threat and rapid infrastructural development. ROLE /HISTORY OF UK FIRE SERVICES The current day fire fighting in UK has evolved many years of constant enlargement and enhancement in fire services. In earlier times the only means to curb fire was buckets of water or simple syringes but now latest reliable equipments, special techniques to combat threats and implementation of proper disaster management system have refined and restructured the fire service practices in UK (Fire Services, 2008). The UK Fire Service Search and Rescue Team is one of the registered teams with the United Nations, due to its excellent service and meticulous performance standards which include the special Integrated Management Plans. There are 13 UKFSSART teams deployed in the UK which not only cater to National but International calls as well. The incorporation of Fire Services Act since 1947 has been amended to reorganize and update the service operation. COMPARISON OF SETTINGS IN WHICH EACH OPERATE The UK fire services are undoubtedly more systematic and methodical in approach; the people are more aware and educated which makes the implementation of practices more effectual rather than in UAE where the populace is ignorant of the modern amenities of fire rescue operations. The implementation of legal framework also plays a crucial role in advancement of services in UK as in UAE where the weak legal structure hinders the development of fire operational measures. LEADERSHIP THEORIES AND STYLES MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP THEORIES IN PRACTICE Management and Leadership have been in discussions since long, Management which is a push strategy while Leadership which is a pull strategy exists in tandem. Effective management displays the unsurpassed leadership qualities, a manger can be a good leader but a leader need not be a manager ( Colvard. J, 2003). The management is all about doing things right through right people but leadership is about doing the right things. Various theories and styles of Leadership such as democratic, autocratic, situational, leadership styles (Lewin, Liippit, & White, 1939) have been inspired from the management practices. The Classical Management theory and the contingency theory of management have incorporated leadership as one of the main functions of management. A manger is supposed to lead his staff proficiently to result in improved performance. The theories of management state that management is a science of systematic knowledge while leadership is the art of influencing and guiding (Trevor Gay, 2004). The Trait and the Great Man theories of leadership are based on the qualities which should be exhibited by a competent manager to prove his management skills. LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT WITHIN UAE FIRE SERVICES The UAE Fire services have featured the in culmination of the management and leadership skills in dealing with the dilemma. The management committees for the civil defense department in the GCC countries have imbibed safety standards and preventive administration norms. The training course on leadership is being organized to focus on the role of leaders, their perception, and challenges and emphasize on the relationship between administration and leadership. The 17th Meeting of the General Directors of the Civil Defense of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Sep 2005 recommended the above changes in the fire services. The UAE system has reorganized and automated all the fire brigade departments. Management has been considering the procurement of adequate vehicles and fire engines as an essential part of the fire service system to meet the needs of the growing demand. The exchange programs and training sessions are organized between the Arab and the Western countries for updating and growth of the future leaders. Proper fire management also includes spreading awareness among the public which is still a prime concern for the UAE government. An estimate and budget required to carry on such activities is a chore part of managerial functions, the UAE government has recorded and analyzed the data of the locations and highly affected buildings which use flammable materials and others products which may cause hazards in future and chalking out a plan which may be of a great help at the time of incontingencies in future. LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT IN GB FIRE SERVICES In Great Britain the Fire Brigades are organized by local authorities, but after the World War II, major role was played by the National Fire Service for better management (Grieve, 2007) the personnel employed in the GB fire services are directly recruited by the Fire and Rescue Authorities. . The administration at the GB services firmly holds the view that the increasing number of fatal accidents and injuries, offer ample room for further improvement through effective management of health and safety measures. GB fire services believes in imparting a high end quality service through imbibing the principles and theories of effective management and following the leadership styles and practices required for transcending from the past performances. Each local Fire Authority is required to make a detailed provision for firefighting operations in its area. The current statistics reveal that within the UKSSR, 62 individual fire brigades have been set up. The management of the local authorities also allocates resources for other needs such as incidents and causalities, road and chemical accidents, or accidents occurring beyond the national boundaries as well. The non obligatory powers and decisions could be implemented by the individual fire authorities. The management of Fire services in Great Britain gives given enough freedom to the fire brigades who have the ability to marshal human force and the equipment to any part of the country wherever the need be. Effective communication systems have been organized for timely exchange of information. Effective Management is also featured in the Inter-service wide area communication realized through public networks. The management constantly improvises on the development plans for its employees, assets and technology to positively react to the needs of the customers. MAIN CHANGES IN UK AND UAE FIRE SERVICES There was a time when During the middle ages many disasters occurred in the past just because of the ineffective fire arrangements, the buildings earlier times consumed wood which was highly inflammable. The Great Fire of London, in the year 1666 was actually responsible for recognizing the need for change in the rescue procedures The U.K fire services have to abide by the special norms framed by the legislative and administrative faction. There has been a tremendous change in the UK and the UAE fire services in the last few decades to combat exclusively the threat of terrorism, augmenting natural catastrophe and disasters. In UK a major change is focused on the fire prevention and public intervention. Changes are also required in the laying out of specific responsibilities for emergency situations, providing ample flexibility to react to critical incidents of terrorism, radiological and nuclear threats. The fire resilience programs have re-structured the channels of operations in the UK fire departments adding a new range of equipments and vehicles to deals with the future grave situations. An addition in the wide area radios with a sole digital system for better communication is adopted as a part of change management of the UK fire services Many changes have been incorporated in the UAE fire services as well, few of them being a change in the architects and structural designs of the buildings, (Nadel .B, 2007). The need for public awareness is generated, whereby various means are being adopted such as cultural programs, literature and print media in action, awareness programs in schools and colleges etc. The fire services in UAE also desperately need to replace the outdated and obsolete techniques used for fire fighting. New appliances, adequate vehicles, trained personnel and a good strategy like in the UK has to be adopted. A change management theory is necessary for the UAE fire service department in order to manage the dynamic changes of the internal and external environment. The instable life conditions, increasing terrorist activities in the Arab countries have made a change indispensable. Exchange of expertise with other countries is the positive step taken by the country to strengthen its weak foundation. CONCLUSION In the end it can be concluded that the success of any organization, whether it is meant for the public welfare or profitable gains, requires effective management which could lead to successful leadership. The various styles of leadership which can be depicted by the leader, waiver as per the situation confronted. The situational leadership is what is required in challenging services reveal the leader’s versatility and dynamic nature to adapt to the changing environment. Management is the systematic application of the functions performed by the manger delegated to a sincere leader. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. ArabianBusiness.com staff writer, posted on 1st April 2007, Thinking Big For Fire Safety, viewed on 11th June, 2008, http://www.arabianbusiness.com/9997. 2. Fire Services, A Brief History of Firefighting in the UK, Viewed on 11th June, 2008,last modified in May,2008 http://www.fireservice.co.uk/history/index.php 3. Colvard. J, July 2003, Viewpoint Managers vs. Leaders Viewed on 11th June, 2008, http://www.govexec.com/features/0703/0703view2.htm 4. Lewin, K., Liippit, R., & White, R. (1939). Patterns of aggressive behavior in experimentally created social climates. Journal of Social Psychology, 271-301 5. Trevor Gay, 2004, Leadership and Management – Chalk and Cheese , viewed on 11thJune,2008, http://www.rattle-the cage.com/rtc/Articles/chalkandcheese.html 6. Martin Grieve , last modified on 28th July, 2007National Fire Service (Britain), , viewed on 11th June, 2008, http://www.crwflags.com/FOTW/flags/gb_nfs.html 7. Barbara A. Nadel, July 2007 - Vol. 2, Issue 7 , Security Newsletter for commercial Buildings, http://www.buildings.com/newsletters/detail.aspx?contentID=4978 Read More