 About the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office Core Values | Vision |
Mission |
Purpose |
Operating Philosophy Core Values The HCFMO’s greatest asset is the men and women who embrace and live by a set of enduring Core Values. These values give him or her strength and form the basis for every action; they bond each member into the team that will meet and withstand every challenge. Integrity is the quality that, without compromise, guides FMO personnel to act responsibly, to be dependable and responsible, to hold others accountable for their actions, and to respect humanity. Commitment is the bond between all FMO members that drives us to complete any mission, to get the job done in support of peers, subordinates, or superiors by sharing the load and looking out for each other’s welfare. Excellence is the total, 24-hour a day, dedication to community and the people we protect. It is the driver behind our determination to achieve the highest standard of achievement in everything we do. Vision To provide superior and professional customer service to our citizens; to develop "best practices" models of performance, and to provide a dynamic and secure work environment for our employees. MissionThe FMO will safeguard the lives and property of citizens in the unincorporated areas of Harris County through effective fire prevention, fire investigation, education, and emergency response. To accomplish this mission, within legal authority, and at the desire of Commissioners Court, the FMO strategy is organized around the following critical mission areas: Fire Prevention: The Fire Prevention Service Group is responsible for the effective prevention of fires through periodic inspection of commercial or public buildings, licensed facilities and operations, and other buildings in the unincorporated county. Fire Investigation: The Fire Investigation Service Group is responsible for the effective investigation of fires and explosions in the unincorporated county, also including fire records and juvenile intervention services. Emergency Operations: The Emergency Operations Service Group is responsible for effective planning, mitigation, and recovery from emergencies and disasters, whether natural, accidental, or deliberate act, including the development and delivery of effective training programs in support of local first responders. Purpose Strategic Goals Reduce the number of fire fatalities, fires started by juveniles; and fire fighter injuries and deaths Address emergent issues Build a disaster-resistant community through partnership with other agencies Operational Goals - services provided to the public Reduce fire loss through fire prevention programs and fire and life safety inspections Investigate cause, origin and circumstances of fires and explosions Investigate criminal activities and prepare charges when appropriate Recover lost or stolen property and make proper disposition Maintain record of all fires Coordinate and provide specialized emergency response services Provide reasonable cooperation to other agencies in order to achieve mutual objectives Administrative goals - work process goals Protect the legal rights of all citizens, and comply with and enforce all applicable laws Attain the highest degree of professionalism possible, through training and public awareness Empower employees to develop benefit-oriented solutions and programs Plan and organize the department’s resources to accomplish long and short-term goals Provide effective leadership for department personnel Secure the necessary funding for department operations Operating Philosophy The department’s operating philosophy is based on four embodiments of our core values. Everything we do, every day we do it, relies on every staff member’s firm belief and solemn pledge that: We will serve our Customers... FMO exists to serve the public, local first responders, and other agencies. We will put our customers’ needs first, and will treat each customer with courtesy and respect. We will preserve our Integrity... FMO is recognized for integrity, professionalism, accountability, and innovation. We will maintain this reputation through adherence to our Core Values, through continuous quality improvement (CQI), and our commitment to excellence. We will take care of our People... FMO employees and non-paid volunteers are our greatest asset. We will provide a work environment that promotes safety, open communication, and recognizes the contributions of all team members. We will provide the necessary facilities, tools, and equipment to accomplish our assignments safely, completely, and in accordance with recognized standards of performance. We will protect our Future... FMO will provide value-added services for the citizens of Harris County and elsewhere as authorized by Commissioners Court. We will protect the taxpayer’s investment by properly using and caring for all equipment assigned for our use; we will actively seek the best value when purchasing equipment or contract services, and will reduce waste whenever possible; and we will accomplish our mission with integrity, commitment to excellence, and teamwork. |
