2021 Captains Exam Pre-Assignment
There are many aspects to the position of a Company
Officer within the organization. A Company officer requires a combination of
specific skillsets and capabilities to be a successful leader. Every portion of
the Captain's Exam is designed to test how well prepared you are and allows for
the opportunity to demonstrate those skills throughout the process. The
Pre-Assignment for the 2021 Captain's Exam is designed to challenge your skills
in research,
writing, creativity, timeliness/completeness, and thought patterns. Your
assignment is not only to document the research you have produced but to
stimulate additional learning during the process. There are four learning
styles: visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and reading/writing. Your pre-assignment
focuses on the reading/writing with a two-part assignment.
PART
ONE Academic Track
Research and Writing are
administrative skills that prove their importance in report writing,
communication (electronic/manual), and additional assignments. The writing
Pre-Assignment will entail subjects within the fire service. You are to research each question and record your
findings. Most questions will require more than a short answer. A detailed
description or explanation is expected for every question given. The research questions
assigned within the subject need to be no less than two paragraphs and no more
than two pages (not counting graphs and pictures). Twelve total subjects will
be given with varying amounts of questions assigned to them. The Communications section will be
assigned to everyone, which requires minimal research. The other eleven
subjects will require your detailed answers. For example, if you are assigned
#5/#16#/#27, those questions need to be answered in each section. If a section
does not contain the third number assigned, then count back eight questions and
answer that one. Your numbers are ___________.
Creativity is
part of the grading criteria. If applicable, adding photos, graphs, and any
additional detail to explain or describe the answer is expected. As a Captain,
there are many situations where you must be creative to express thought or an
idea. Every question requires a site reference. The
expectation of clear and well-structured writing is also part of the grading
criteria.
Timeliness/Completeness is
essential in the fire service, which also applies to administrative type
assignments. The dates for turning in assignments are part of the grading
criteria, especially during Part Two of the Pre-Assignment. There will be
additional reading and writing assignments that you'll be expected to complete
throughout the next two months. Late assignments will count against your final
score for the Pre-Assignment portion.
Thought Pattern is
the habit of thinking in a particular way, using particular assumptions. It is
another way of stating your worldview. Is it negative, positive, black and
white, magnifying/minimizing, or jumping to conclusions? Thought patterns would
weigh heavily in part two. You will not be graded on your worldview as much as
the honesty of your worldview.
The purpose of the Pre-Assignment is to think
outside of the box, stimulate conversation, and grow together, to name a few
outcomes. The Pre-Assignment is not meant to be a section where a box is
checked but to engage with substance. We believe that Chino Valley Fire is evolving
and progressing toward action-oriented leadership, which involves
"YOU" as an essential link to complete that chain.
All work from
Part One will be due by February 8th to BC Skibar (electronically)
PART TWO Leadership Track
The second portion, Leadership Track, of the
Pre-Assignment, will occur in conjunction with Part one. The team (candidates)
will be supplied with the book “Developing
the Leader within You 2.0” by John Maxwell. We will all progress through
the book together. There will be an invitation for all District personnel to
join in on the Leadership portion (Part Two) of the exam as participants and
students. The reading assignments and due dates are detailed below. The writing
assignments associated with the Leadership track will be assigned weekly by
email. Please be aware of the due dates as they reflect part of your score.
Again, leadership is influence, and guiding those around your immediate circle
is essential, so take time and “Chew the Cud” (look up the term). Absorb the
information learned not just for your professional life but your personal life as
well. Instead of good luck-Enjoy!
Developing
the Leader within You 2.0-John Maxwell
All discussion questions will be assigned on Monday
of every new week.
Week 1 (Jan 4th-Jan 10th) Lesson 1 “The Definition of Leadership: Influence”
Lesson
2 “The Key to Leadership: Priorities”
Week 2 (Jan 11-Jan 17th) Lesson 3 “The Foundation of Leadership: Character”
Lesson 4 ‘The Ultimate Test of
Leadership: Positive Change”
Week 3 (Jan 18th-24th) Lesson 5 “The Quickest Way to Gain Leadership: Problem
Solving”
Lesson
6 “The Extra Plus in Leadership: Attitude”
Week 4 (Jan 25th-Jan 31st) Lesson 7 “The Heart of Leadership: Serving People”
Lesson
8 “The Indispensable Quality of Leadership: Vision”
Week 5 (Feb 1st-Feb 7th) Lesson 9 “The Price Tag of Leadership: Self-Discipline”
Lesson
10 “The Expansion of Leadership: Personal Growth”
Open discussions will take place at www.cvfdleadership.blogspot.com toward the end of
each week for additional interaction with other leaders within the
organization.
The Leadership track aims to strengthen the
leadership qualities you already have. This portion will also introduce the
team to new concepts TOGETHER! If you had a negative thought about this
assignment, then you already missed the point of leadership. Please feel
free to contact BC Skibar for any clarification or additional questions.
You will be
assigned a Battalion Chief as a Mentor through your journey of preparing for
this exam. They will be there to encourage, advise, and assist with your
progress and development. Your mentor is
BC ____________________________.
Grading Criteria
Research Content (Effort in research, reference,
quality of content)
Grammar/Sentence Structure (Correct usage of words, grammar, sentence layout)
Creativity (Ability to present and idea with the
use of imagination)
Involvement
(Discussion/Assignment)
Timeliness/Completeness (Ability to
complete assignments and discussions within the timeframe)
Part One and Part Two are worth 20%
of your overall score for the Captains Exam
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