Course

Objective:

Learning Outcomes:

• Describe the key elements of the Fire Service Financial Management (FSFM) course, relate them to fire/emergency medical services (EMS) financial management competencies, and become familiar with their fellow students and course activities in order to learn those competencies
• Explain the advantage of using outcomes to assess budget process strengths and weaknesses in terms of goals, socioeconomic influences, political factors, and justification strategies
• Describe the importance of using outcomes as the key basis for the planning of, development of, and presentation to elected officials of an emergency services agency budget
• Recognize the importance of data analysis, understand the impact of economic trends, and develop an awareness of outside agency standards, all which have a direct effect on a fiscal manager’s ability to manage an emergency services agency budget
• Demonstrate the ability to analyze financial documents and purchasing options for adjustments and efficiencies and apply these skills in an ethical and lawful manner
• Demonstrate knowledge of basic budget processes by identifying governmental budget types, recognizing budget terms, and interpreting a budget report
• Identify the need for, costs of, and gains related to the fire/ emergency medical services (EMS) system of various types of alternative revenue sources They will demonstrate how to develop these sources and explain why they have become necessary
• Recognize the importance of program analysis, understand the use of appropriate evaluation tools, differentiate differing decision-making styles, and understand where political influence can affect decision-making, all which have a direct effect on a fiscal manager’s ability to manage an emergency services agency’s various programs
• Demonstrate mastery of the essential objectives of the course by incorporating lessons learned into an outcome-based presentation to an elected body

General Topics: