Discussion: Values

---

Discuss


Most public entities – and many private services for that matter – look at four values in guiding their direction, policies, problem solving, and decision making:

• the rights of individuals
• administrative efficiency
• political responsiveness
• social equity.

The problem is that sometimes when more emphasis is placed upon one of them, the others are impacted, sometimes resulting in a shift of balance or a conflict between the values.

Discuss how these four values can serve as benchmarks for fire and emergency service organizations. Identify a minimum of one situation or practice within your agency in which these values may be in conflict with one another. Explain how each is represented and where the potential conflict(s) lie(s). Please begin by identifying your affiliation (department/agency) and type of agency (career, volunteer, or combination).

Respond

Participate in this discussion by responding in the discussion area for this course. After posting your original topic, follow up by responding to at least two of your colleagues with 125-word responses. Your postings must always combine your original thinking and opinion with authoritative references. Cite your sources, check your spelling and grammar, and make sure that your postings are well written.

---