DQ 1-1
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DQ1-2.docxDQ 1-2 Responses
1.
“Cooperation typically results when organizations separately decide that their interests are best served by seeking to take actions that may be endorsed by all of them” (Mitchell & Mitchell, 2015). On a local level, the cooperation between local first responders (i.e. fire, police and EMT’s) and the US Forest Service, has proven time and time again to be, and remain, on the positive side of the cooperation, and away from conflict.
In Williams, Arizona, where I currently reside and work for the US Forest Service (USFS), the town sits in the middle of the Kaibab National Forest. The goal of the forest service is to keep a handle on all fires, preventing uncontrolled spread and destruction within the wildland. The community fire agencies, police departments (to include DPS and Coconino Sheriff), and the EMT’s and ambulance teams, provide coverage to the city and to the rural areas surrounding the city. Collectively, the goal remains the same; the safety of the public. Without hindering the ability of any person to enjoy the outdoors, or even a BBQ in their backyard, there is constant and consistent communication between these agencies to ensure each day goes without major incidents, injuries, or deaths. This builds the community and assists in revenue from the many tourists visiting our little town each day.
Without this type of cooperation, public administration would see more confusion from the locals and tourists than almost anywhere else. As a federal agency, the USFS follows strict guidelines for forest safety and fire safety. If the cooperation wasn’t there, the local fire departments, with a concentration solely on the city, would develop plans that differ from the USFS to prevent fires that can spread quickly and cause exorbitant amounts of damage and loss. With the cooperation ongoing, residence and tourists, alike, can take solace in knowing their weekend camping trip, or their cruise to the Grand Canyon can be a happy and fun one because those of us behind the scenes communicating to keep things safe.
Mitchell, F., & Mitchell, C. (2015, March 19). Adaptive Approaches to Cooperation and Conflict in the Public Sector. Retrieved from https://patimes.org/adaptive-approaches-cooperation-conflict-public-sector/
2.
Cooperation is very important within the public sector, especially if the same goals or interests are shared among private and public organizations. It would better serve the public and create a ‘win-win’ environment if more organizations teamed up for a common cause (Mitchell & Mitchell, 2015).
Being a registered nurse, I feel that healthcare is something that should be shared on equal levels, public and private. Cooperation would be crucial between the public health department, community clinics, and hospitals. They all share the same interests, as far as giving high quality standard patient care. Therefore, perhaps they should collaborate more often? Take the flu-shot vaccine for example. Preventing the spread of the flu virus is a battel fought every year, as we approach the winter season. Building community health is one of the best defenses (Keyes-Bevan, 2016).
According to Keyes-Bevan, there has been a recent decline in people receiving the flu shot due to feeling that it is unnecessary (2016). If the public health department and local hospitals decided to work together and hand out flu-shots at various locations within the community, along with providing education on the importance of getting vaccinated, we may see a shift in flu outbreaks across the nation. However, it would take a strong alliance between all agencies involved. Careful consideration of the perceptions, interests, and values of everyone involved would need to be evaluated in order to keep the program running (Mitchell & Mitchell, 2015).
Reference
Keyes-Bevan, B. (2016). Protecting our communities: why everyone should get the flu shot. Maclean’s, (40). Retrieved from https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsgao&AN=edsgcl.466297547&site=eds-live&scope=site
Mitchell, F., & Mitchell, C. (2015, March 19). Adaptive Approaches to Cooperation and Conflict in the Public Sector. Retrieved from https://patimes.org/adaptive-approaches-cooperation-conflict-public-sector/
3.
The example of cooperation within public administration that I chose is the D.A.R.E program, which are led by police officers. The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E) is a drug prevention program that’s taught is over a million schools. D.A.R.E.’s elementary, middle and high school curricula, as well as its enhancement lessons on subjects that include bullying, internet safety, and over-the-counter prescription drug, have been developed through partnerships with highly respected universities and prevention education experts (D.A.R.E, 2018).
This organization is important because it works with the children, who are the next generation. The program is beneficial to the public because it could possibly reduce drug crime if the next generation is educated. It is also currently beneficial because the program work with students throughout high school, and that’s about the time and age when drug dealers are recruited. The D.A.R.E program was suggested as a good compliment to stress management, conflict resolution, decision making and empathy awareness, and there was an increase in community confidence (Freiheit et al., n.d.)
D.A.R.E. (2018). The Most Comprehensive Drug Prevention Curricula in the World. Retrieved from https://dare.org/why-d-a-r-e/
Freiheit, P., Montague, S., & Wiggington, L. (n.d.). A Critical Look at the D.A.R.E. Program and Effective Youth Programs. Retrieved from https://web.stanford.edu/class/e297c/poverty_prejudice/ganginterv/criticallook.htm
