Shift Briefing: Key to Productivity

Communication is an essential element of company officer leadership, but it is most often engaged in on a “need-to-know” basis. Many officers have been taught that information is proprietary. However, a morning briefing by the station officer can determine if a shift will be successful and productive. It is an essential component of company officer leadership. The inspirational writer Anne Morrow Lindbergh wrote, “Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee and just as hard to sleep after.” The shift briefing (or morning briefing) is a formal meeting to organize operations at the beginning of the shift. In some departments, it may be called “roll call”; however, much more than taking attendance should be accomplished.

A wide array of information should be communicated to the firefighters on shift (Figure 1). Concerning apparatus, firefighters need to know which apparatus is out of service and which engine is missing a tool. Firefighters may also need to know which public education event is scheduled for the shift. New directives and policies should be relayed. Upcoming training and promotional opportunities can be shared with personnel. Firefighters will also need to know basic information such as “What time are we going to the gym?” and “When is the next union meeting?”

Poor communication leads to suspicion and inefficiency. In a volunteer/career combination department, statements such as “The career guys didn’t do it!” and “The volunteers didn’t do it!” may be heard. In a career department, statements such as “B shift didn’t do it!” may abound. When information is communicated at the shift briefing, everyone knows what happened. The answer to “The volunteers didn’t do it” may be that they were committed to a working fire for the previous shift. The answer to “B shift didn’t do it!” may be several hours of inspections during the previous shift. Whatever type of department, communication among varied shifts can be a challenge. Consistent, daily communication is essential to effective operations, informed motivated employees, and good interstation and departmental relations. The shift briefing is an excellent means for accomplishing solid internal station communication.