The SFE - Doc 93 Bury St edmunds Fire Station

FIRETALK

THE RHETORIC OF FIRE SERVICE COMMAND
POWER SYNDROME THEORY (FSCPST)
PRACTITIONERS EXTRACTS FROM DOC 91
ACFO. KENNETH EDWARD SEAGER

Emergent Proposition

FSCPST Practitioners at high position in the organisation hierarchy utilise personal first person tendencies in correspondence to effect Command Power authority. Examples in Doc 91:

Par 1

I refer to my Regulation 7 notice dated 10 June 1998, and your memorandum dated 4 June 1998 addressed to the County Fire Officer invoking the grievance procedure in relation to the actions of the Deputy County Fire Officer.

I refer……………………….The author demonstrates power to make the recipient submit to his initial act?

……………to My Regulation 7 notice………………………….
opportunity is taken remind the recipient that he was considered to have stepped outside the authors value system to the point that disciplinary investigation was required?

Par 2

The purpose of this letter is to inform you that I have decided that the grievance procedure in this case shall be suspended for the duration of the investigation which I have commenced, and shall remain suspended at least until the investigation is complete and any resultant actions are concluded.

…………….. I have decided that the grievance procedure in this case shall be suspended for the duration of the investigation which I have commenced….
The all powerful I conveys a solid message of control in the written discourse.

Par 3

This decision is made in your best interests for two reasons. First, the terms of the caution I have issued in your case may prevent you being able to fully pursue your grievance because anything said or written by you whilst under caution could be used as evidence in any disciplinary hearing.

……..made in your best interests for two reasons. ………..the caution I have issued in your case may prevent you………
Of course best interests subject to selection by the author and subsequent to the authors (I) selection.

Par 4

Secondly, it is imperative that the County Fire Officer himself has no prior knowledge of he facts of this case since he may be required to hear any charges against you which result from the investigation. This means that an important part of the grievance procedure, i.e. reference to the County Fire Officer, cannot proceed whilst the disciplinary matter is outstanding.

……………..he (CFO) may be required to hear any charges against you which result from the investigation.

Final Par

I have enclosed a copy of this letter for you to pass to your Union Representative.

I have enclosed……………..

Perhaps a non egotist and simple “a spare copy is enclosed” would suffice for a non FSCPST practitioner?


The first person usage continues to reiterate the positive power source and controller position of the author. As throughout the recipient is shrouded in negative and pejorative words. The Command Power practitioner is all-positive, while the lower order subject is valued in the negative.