Alternative CRR Planning Model

In its strategic plan for fiscal years 2014–2018, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) describes Goal 1 as: “Reduce fire and life safety risk through preparedness, prevention and mitigation.”3 In some of their Community Risk Reduction training courses, the National Fire Academy (NFA) uses a slightly different planning mode than is shown in Figure 1. In this model, the process is comprised of five primary phases, with specific details described within each.

Flowchart illustrating the alternative community risk-reduction model
Figure 2: CRR Model

Community Risk-Reduction Model

When compared to the process illustrated in Figure 1, the NFA model combines the “Develop Strategies & Tactics to Mitigate Risks” and the “Prepare the Community Risk Reduction Plan” phases into one process “Planning” (see Appendix G for a complete version of the model).

The NFA model also lists anticipated outcomes for each of the five phases of the planning process. Figure 3 lists each of these in relation to their associated planning phase:

Figure 3: Anticipated Outcomes in Developing a CRR Plan
Planning Phase Outcome
Phase I: Getting Ready Champion of risk reduction
Phase II: Assessment Community partnerships
Phase III: Planning Strategic programs
Phase IV: Implementation Engaged community
Phase V: Results Improved quality of life

Fire departments and public safety agencies can decide which planning model, or combination of models would work most effectively for their organization. Regardless of which model is used in the planning process, the results should ultimately be the same.