Help with Long Range Plan

[Skojo]

Hi folks,

Our volunteer dept is re-evaluating our long range plan. It gets looked at every five years I've been told and this is my first time being on this committee. Just wondering if anyone here can recommend any resources to help out: books, mags, websites, templates, questions to ask, etc.

I've searched through these forums, but haven't found anything really useful. The Search function doesn't allow to search for "long range plan"; it will only search for individual words, which produces too many hits. I know there's probably plenty of stuff online, but I really wouldn't know the good from the junk.

Thanks in advance,

~Skojo

[PaladinKnight]

Without knowing anything about your current situation it is impossible to point you in any direction.

Send me a pm and perhaps I can assist with some recommendations.

PK

[angline22]

i think its better to expose all points and situation .so that some one can recommend you his or her best knowledge.

[txchf1]

Let's see. I think your group needs to identify and agree on where your department is today. We'll call this point A. Then your group needs to identify and agree on where you want be in "X" years. We'll call this point B. Then begin the brainstorming process on how to get from point A to point B. You will then end up with what will probably be a pretty darn good long range plan.

At one time the Cedar Hill Texas Fire Department had their 6 year plan on their web site. I always thought it was a pretty good plan. Look it over and see what you think. I dont recall their web site address but you can google it I'm sure.

[bhumphreys]

Evaluate your department as compared to those "nationally recognized standards" for response that we all hear about: applicable NFPA standards, ISO, etc. Then develop a standard of coverage that is reasonable and proper for YOUR department and the people you serve. Base your plan on covering the gaps between the "standards" and your performance indicators, then develop your 5 year strategic plan from the long range (10-25 year) plan.

Simple!

[Seagravesstick]

Hi folks,

Our volunteer dept is re-evaluating our long range plan. It gets looked at every five years I've been told and this is my first time being on this committee. Just wondering if anyone here can recommend any resources to help out: books, mags, websites, templates, questions to ask, etc.

I've searched through these forums, but haven't found anything really useful. The Search function doesn't allow to search for "long range plan"; it will only search for individual words, which produces too many hits. I know there's probably plenty of stuff online, but I really wouldn't know the good from the junk.

Thanks in advance,

~Skojo

You can go to my web site ate www.isoslayer.com and download our free book, "Your next ISO Rating" it has lots of information on long range planning...
David

[randyrescue]

Try this.

Fire Department Strategic Planning: Creating Future Excellence Available online at most bookstores.

It describes the process of creating from scratch a strategic plan. You may be able to evaluate the plan you've got in place today and use the book to help ask some questions to make sure your plan is still relevant.

Hi folks,

[snip]

I've searched through these forums, but haven't found anything really useful. The Search function doesn't allow to search for "long range plan"; it will only search for individual words, which produces too many hits. I know there's probably plenty of stuff online, but I really wouldn't know the good from the junk.

Thanks in advance,

~Skojo