Purpose 

Our mission is “to pursue the highest levels of fire and life safety services for our community in order to minimize loss of life and property.”  We exist to protect our community.  Both labor and management of the Fairfield Fire Department have agreed the most important aspect of pursuing our mission is to develop and foster strong working relationships.  Our department has been using the Fairfield Fire Department Way (FFD Way), since the spring of 2001.  This model has allowed labor and management to work cooperatively on issues of planning, problem solving and change management.  The FFD Way does not replace the negotiating process between the city and the unions.

The FFD Way model is comprised of nine co-chair teams.  Each team is made up of representatives of both labor and management.  When all teams meet collectively, the combined group is called the correlation team.  The co-chair team comprised of the chief and union president has oversight responsibility for the correlation team.  Of the eight remaining co-chair teams, each represents a major area of the department as follows:  administration, operations, fire prevention and public education, facilities and communications, training, equipment, and E.M.S. and health and safety.

The correlation team develops short and long range plans at the annual planning retreat.  It also meets quarterly to review established plans for progress and to discuss any areas of concern.  The co-chair teams meet as needed, typically monthly, to work on plans, share information and receive input from members. 

Summary