Chief Officer, 5th Edition

IFSTA’s Chief Officer, 5th Edition is developed for current and potential chief officers responsible for supervising, managing, and administering fire and emergency services organizations. This updated edition thoroughly prepares students for success in this essential fire service leadership role.

Chief Officer, 5th guides students toward building a well-rounded department with topics including health, safety, and wellness programs, risk management, community risk reduction, and much more. This manual addresses Chapter 11 - Fire Officer III and Chapter 12 - Fire Officer IV of NFPA 1020, Standard for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor, Fire Officer, and Emergency Medical Services Officer Professional Qualifications (2025).

Find the eBook version here.

Key features of this manual:

• Chapter References
• Key Term Definitions
• Review Questions
• Discussion Questions
• 38 Skill Sheets

Important Updates:

• New chapter on Risk Management, covering both organizational and community-level strategies.
• Expanded material on risk mitigation, accident investigation, and health exposure programs.
• New comprehensive guidance on establishing a departmental health, safety, and wellness program.
• Updated skills sheets.

Table of Contents

• Section A. Fire Officer III
  • Chapter 01 – Human Resources Management
  • Chapter 02 – Community Relations
  • Chapter 03 – Emergency Services Administration
  • Chapter 04 – Occupational Safety, Health, and Wellness
  • Chapter 05 – Risk Reduction and Fire Inspection
  • Chapter 06 – Emergency Services Delivery
  • Chapter 07 – Emergency Management
• Section B. Fire Officer IV
  • Chapter 08 – Human Resources Management
  • Chapter 09 – Government Relations
  • Chapter 10 – Emergency Services Administration Planning
  • Chapter 11 – Organizational and Community Risk Management
• Appendices
  • Appendix A – Chapter and Page Correlation to NFPA 1020 Requirements
  • Appendix B – Model Building and Fire Codes
• List of Key Terms
• Index