Supervisory exercises are suitable for use with Firefighter seeking a move to Crew Manager level. They can also be used to assess the potential of Crew Managers looking to develop into a Watch Manager role.

These exercises can be used separately, or as an entire set (inbasket, one to one roleplay and multiple roleplay).

The pen portraits included here will provide a brief overview of the exercise content.

Inbasket

Haverton Fire & Rescue Service

The context is a fictitious Fire & Rescue Service.

Overview

The candidate assumes the role of a generic Supervisory Manager in a fictitious Fire & Rescue Service. They have responsibility for the day to day management of a team on station. Various issues arise via email to be managed during this exercise. Using the data and information supplied, the candidate will need to: consider how to improve Service liaison and performance with young people; respond to a dissatisfied service user; lend support for a government campaign; suggest improvements to an existing ‘day in the life’ scheme; and consider the development of an unmotivated team member.

Fornway Fire & Rescue Service

The context is a fictitious Fire & Rescue Service.

Overview

The candidate assumes the role of a generic Supervisory Manager in a fictitious Fire & Rescue Service. They have responsibility for the day to day management of a team on station. Various issues arise via email to be managed during this exercise. Using the data and information supplied, the candidate will need to: generate a proposal to guide the station achieve a prestigious award; respond to a complaint; identify training priorities; deal with dissatisfaction for a proposed new initiative; and take steps to improve standards.

Coltshire Fire & Rescue Service

The context is a fictitious Fire & Rescue Service.

Overview

The candidate assumes the role of a generic Supervisory Manager in a fictitious Fire & Rescue Service. They have responsibility for the day to day management of a team on station. Various issues arise via email to be managed during this exercise. Using the data and information supplied, the candidate will need to: generate recommendations for improving internal communications; handle a complaint; support the Service objective to showcase its role within the community; deal with resistance for a proposed trial; and consider the development of a team member.

One to One Roleplay

Fornway Fire & Rescue Service

The context is a fictitious Fire & Rescue Service.

Overview

In this exercise the candidate takes the role of a generic Supervisory Manager in a fictitious Fire & Rescue Service. They have various sources of background information which they can draw on to inform their tackling of the scenario. There are three tasks, and these include: reviewing performance information to generate recommendations; offering guidance to a supervisory manager struggling to manage a team problem; outlining key steps to implement a new initiative effectively.

Coltshire Fire & Rescue Service

The context is a fictitious Fire & Rescue Service.

Overview

As a Supervisory Manager in a fictitious Fire & Rescue service, the candidate is required to explore performance issues with a member of their team. Using the information provided, they will be required to discuss concerns raised by an external trainer regarding the individual’s behaviour. Any further issues which may arise will need to be constructively addressed. The key exercise objectives are to identify underlying factors, outline expectations and work collaboratively to generate solutions.

Multiple Roleplay

Fornway Fire & Rescue Service

The context is a fictitious Fire & Rescue Service.

Overview

The candidate assumes the role of a Supervisory Manager in a fictitious Fire & Rescue service and hold a ‘collaboration’ sessions with two trainees from their Watch. The candidate will need to use information supplied to identify development needs and risks; propose clear solutions; and create workable plans. The trainees will have their own perspectives to be explored with an aim of establishing common ground and generating improvements. The candidate will have three specific topics to raise and discuss in full.

Coltshire Fire & Rescue Service

The context is a fictitious Fire & Rescue Service.

Overview

In their role as Supervisory Manager in a fictitious Fire & Rescue service the Participant will be required to work with partner agencies to determine priorities, identify risk and generate solutions. The premise of this discussion is to prepare for a forthcoming ‘Community Risk Reduction Forum’ meeting. In liaison with representatives from Coltshire Police Constabulary and the National Parkland and Conservation Agency, the Participant will use information supplied to discuss a specific issue of interest to each of the agencies.