Deputy Fire Chief

Under administrative direction, directs, manages, and provides administrative and managerial support to the activities and operations of the Fire Department,including Inspection/Prevention, Beach Safety, and Training Divisions.

Examples of Duties

• Assists the Fire Chief in the overall direction, planning, and implementation of City and departmental goals and objectives.
• Oversees the implementation and supervision of departmental operational functions. Exercises significant authority and direction concerning operational issues, personnel issues and budget decisions; participates in developing and implementing rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to advance the department’s mission, goals, and objectives.
• Plans, coordinates and reviews the efforts of assigned areas and training activities of staff and work units.
• Manages, supervises and directs the activities of assigned staff and functions; coordinates the interviewing and selection of candidates; makes recommendations regarding hiring, discipline, termination or advancement of employees. Manages shift schedules, assigns work, and monitors progress; approves overtime, vacation, and sick leave requests; guides, trains and develops employees in the accomplishment of their duties and professional growth; evaluates performance and maintains a healthy work environment.
• Provides complex staff assistance to the Fire Chief, prepares and presents staff reports and other correspondence.
• Approves and oversees the department training.
• Conducts studies, identifies problems, recommends alternatives and implements, solutions selected by the Chief.
• Determines the level of inventory of departmental equipment and apparatus. Oversees and approval purchasing for the department
• Assists in the development and management of the department budget and monitors expenditures against the budget. Researches department and emergency medical service budget requirements; drafts grant proposals; administers grant funding.
• Oversees the operational readiness and responses of the deployment team for large-scale disasters, including local, state, and federal requests for assistance.
• Conducts fact-finding, inspections and investigations.
• Researches and implements standard operating guidelines. Stays current on industry updates, changes, and issues.
• Through strategic planning, assists in the identification, development, and implementation of short- and long-term goals and programs.
• Coordinates departmental activities with other City divisions, departments and outside organizations. Attends and represents the department at various meetings; prepares for departmental management meetings; attends professional seminars, training conferences, and meetings; represents the Fire Department at various events, meetings, or conferences.Works with external agencies in the development of joint operational protocols.
• Assists in the response to and resolution of community and organizational concerns or issues. Represents the department in relationships with the public, community groups, professional organizations, City departments and other governmental agencies.
• Participates in training, conferences, or seminars to remain informed of technological advances in the field.
• Responds to fires, mass casualty incidents, major vehicle accidents, major disasters, and other incidents as required. May assist with hazardous material response.
• Serves as a member of the department’s Incident Management Team during major events and disasters; serves as liaison to the Emergency Operations Center during drills and activations.
• Evaluates historical and statistically relevant data to determine current and future trends in fire and life safety issues to identify problem areas.
• Assists in planning, compiling, and analyzing information and data related to plans for expansion and coverage to maintain acceptable ISO rating.
• Performs the duties of the Fire Chief in his or her absence.
• May be required to work hours other than the regular schedule, including nights, weekends, holidays and during emergencies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Fire Administration, Fire Science, Public Administration or related field from an approved accredited college or university.
• Eight years of progressively responsible experience in a fire department, including four years of fire service supervisory/managerial/command level experience.
• Previous experience working in an organized fire department, including collective bargaining and the management of labor agreements.
• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Florida within 30 days of employment for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
• Possession of or the ability to meet current requirements set forth by the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training.
• Possession of or the ability to obtain the State of Florida Firefighter II certification within 12 months of employment.
• Possession of or the ability to obtain the Florida Fire Officer I and II certifications within 12 months of employment.
• Possession of State of Florida EMT certification within 12 months of employment.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain within six (6) months of employment, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and first aid certifications.
• Possession of or the ability to obtain NIMS Compliance – ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800 within 6 months of employment.
• Equivalent combinations of education, training and experience may be considered.

Supplemental Information

• Knowledge of fire science, fire prevention, suppression, and investigation standards, practices, strategies, tactics, and apparatus.
• Knowledge of basic firefighting techniques and procedures.
• Knowledge of emergency medical protocols, procedures, and standards.
• Knowledge of National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) standards.
• Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) standards.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal fire codes, statutes, local ordinances, and departmental rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of general management principles and practices, including budget, policy and procedure development, personnel management and supervision and basic finance.
• Knowledge of labor management, including collective bargaining and managing agreements.
• Knowledge of purchasing and inventory procedures necessary to prepare budget requests, administer purchasing and inventory, and other administrative services.
• Knowledge of computers and job-related software systems.
• Knowledge of the Incident Command System.
• Skill in planning, organizing, assigning, managing and supervising resources of professional and technical staff under both routine and emergency situations and activities.
• Skill in decision making, including efficiently determining and initiating appropriate actions.
• Skill in analyzing problems, identifying alternative solutions, projecting consequences of proposed actions, and implementing recommendations in support of goals.
• Skill in the operation and use of fire equipment and apparatus.
• Skill in developing and implementing long-term operations plans.
• Skill in public and interpersonal relations and to facilitate change as needed.
• Skill in listening well and communicating effectively orally and in writing with various audiences.
• Skill in interpreting, understanding, and complying with complex statutes, ordinances, regulations, standards, and laws.
• Ability to maintain all required certifications.
• Ability to successfully complete all medical and fit testing as required for the use of personal protective respiratory equipment.
• Ability to wear respiratory protective equipment including but not limited to SCBA gear.
• Ability to develop, manage and maintain budgets.
• Ability to research, evaluate, and use new methods and techniques for operational improvement.
• Ability to regularly exercise discretionary authority.
• Ability to use initiative and independent judgment appropriately.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate information accurately, and to express ideas clearly when providing oral and written reports or recommendations on administrative, financial and technical issues.
• Ability to use standard office equipment, computer equipment and software including word processing, database management, spreadsheet applications and electronic mail.
• Ability to research, develop and lead formal and informal presentations and discussions with diverse groups.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City employees, management, other governmental agencies, community members and the public.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The Fire Chief assigns work in terms of department goals and objectives. The supervisor reviews work through conferences, reports, and observation of department activities.

GUIDELINES

Guidelines include NFPA guidelines, OSHA regulations, FMLA regulations, ISO guidelines, sunshine laws, building codes, life safety codes, civil service guidelines, collective bargaining agreements, and city and department policies and procedures. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application.

COMPLEXITY/SCOPE OF WORK

• The work consists of varied administrative, managerial, supervisory, and technical duties.Emergency and life-threatening situations contribute to the complexity of the work.
• The purpose of this position is to assist in directing the City’s fire, beach safety, training, and emergency response functions. Successful performance helps ensure the protection of life and property.

CONTACTS

• Contacts are typically with co-workers, other City personnel, elected and other local government officials, representatives of other fire and emergency response agencies, vendors, community and business leaders, civic organizations, and the public.
• Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, resolve problems, provide services, motivate personnel, and educate the public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, finger, grasp, feel, talk, hear, and see.The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table The employee frequently pushes, pulls and lifts light objects up to 20 pounds constantly, and moderate objects in excess of 50 pounds frequently, and occasionally heavy objects upwards of 100 pounds, climbs ladders, balances, crawls, utilizes equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity, repetitive motion, distinguishes between shades of color, and utilizes the sense of smell.The employee is required to have visual acuity to perform activities to operate machinery or to perform mechanical or skilled tasks of a non-repetitive nature.
• The work is typically performed in an office, except while at fire or other emergency scenes. The employee will be exposed to all inside and outside environmental conditions including extreme hot or inclement weather conditions, high, precarious places, smoke inhalation, toxic gases, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, electric shock, explosives, and contact with other with unknown medical problems/conditions. The employee will also be subject to noise, vibration, moving of mechanical parts, hazards, atmospheric conditions, and working in close quarters. The employee is required to comply with all physical requirements of SCBA and/or any other respiratory protection equipment including passing all medical and fit testing. The employee is required to stay calm during stressful and possibly life-threatening situations. The employee may be exposed to machinery with moving parts, irritating chemicals, and hazardous situations.The work requires the use of protective clothing and devices.

SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

The Fire Chief assigns work in terms of department goals and objectives. The supervisor reviews work through conferences, reports, and observation of department activities.

**These are intended only as illustrations of various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.**