The FRS Department Is an Essential Public Service - Essay Example

Several theories are explained in detail and related to the FRS to gauge which theory best applies for the improvement of the operational system. Among these theories are trait, behavioral, contingency, constellation, participative, management, relationship, path-goal theory, action-centered leadership, and the leadership grid. These theories prove that some of them are not applicable while some are in the given situation the analysis and discussion point out that management by objective can only be successful when there is leadership and thus both have to be implemented simultaneously.

Towards the end recommendations have been given as to how the leadership can be improved with goal-oriented management. the private sector today is undergoing immense change with downsizing and greater work responsibility in their management systems. This according to Grint (2005) is because the people expect more for less and the same expectation has paved its way into the public sectors also where the people expect organizations like the fire department to provide more from the limited resources.

To fulfill this demand, the fire departments have been undergoing drastic changes. This as George (2003) explains has become essential in order to be efficient and competitive in the marketplace. To suffice the demand of the people, and be according to the way the people want the department to be, the government has realized that the management system has to be adjusted so that the changing needs of the people may be met. At the same time, adds Taylor (2009) with the recession, the costs are increasing, people are paying fewer taxes and thus the fire department has a lower budget to work with and therefore it requires to be more efficient and to maximize the use of its resources.

The fire department has always been managed with the rank-based management system. However, the government wants to change that and has introduced benchmarking. The fire department is now given difficult targets and at the same time their performance is scored and benchmarked so that it can be compared to other FRS.