Transferring Fire Safety Technology Research from Academia to Practice:

A Public Policy Issue at the Local Level
Dr. Charles H. Kime

Abstract

Transferring fire safety research from academia to practice by governments at the local level is dependent upon getting issues through the public policy process. Making public policy is a political process, where public value is a critical factor. Among the many public policy making models, the rational-comprehensive model is considered the "ideal." Yet most scholars acknowledge, more practical models suggest that public policy is made incrementally. Two significant barriers exist in moving fire safety technology to the public policy agenda in local governments. First, many fire service administrators and other bureaucrats were trained and educated to stay out of politics. Secondly, many bureaucrats (fire chiefs, fire marshals, and building officials) within the system are heavily invested in the current system and often feel threatened by new technology that they do not always fully understand. Colleges, universities, and professional organizations could more effectively collaborate to offer practical courses and seminars to decision makers, in the art of transferring fire safety technology through public policy

Performance Measurement Systems

Dr. Charles H. Kime