Assistant Fire Chief

Assistant Fire Chief

The primary purpose of this position is to manage all fire and emergency services operations and preparedness for fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical, natural disasters, air emergencies, search and rescue, and emergency management programs for the Fire Department. This position serves as second in command to the Fire Chief. This position is also designated as the CBS Fire Marshal responsible for conducting life safety inspections and other related duties. Under the supervision of the Fire Chief, the Assistant Fire Chief exercises considerable independent judgement and discretion as a professional with technical expertise to perform the position's daily tasks and responsibilities within department established policies and procedures. The Assistant Fire Chief directly supervises the Senior Fire Engineer. The Assistant Fire Chief is a management employee who assists and acts in a confidential capacity to the Fire Chief, Municipal Administrator, Assembly, and other department heads who formulates, determines, or effectuates management policies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manages and coordinates the activities of staff and volunteers involved in all aspects of emergency operations for the Fire Department
• Serves as the Fire Marshal and exercises the authority and administers those responsibilities as assigned by the Alaska State Fire Marshal
• Performs fire and life safety inspections of existing buildings and facilities
• Serves as a fire/arson investigator, investigating the cause, origin and circumstances of all fires within the CBS and maintaining accurate and detailed records for documentation and prosecution purposes
• Prepares detailed records of all case files involved in codes inspections
• Initiates and pursues formal enforcement action, as appropriate, to enforce code compliance
• Ensures the efficient operations and supervision of all personnel, including the accurate and timely completion of all reports according to prescribed policies and guidelines
• Responsible for the development and implementation of training programs and coordinates with state officials to provide desired training
• Trains, assigns, prioritizes, supervises, motivates and evaluates the performance of work
• Assists the Fire Chief with the annual budget and monitors expenditures during fiscal year
• Serves as an incident commander under the Incident Command System
• Performs emergency fire protection by responding to fire calls and implements fire suppression techniques to rescue victims and protect private and public property
• Provides emergency medical services, including responding to emergency calls, assessing patient's condition upon the arrival of a scene, implementing emergency patient treatment, transporting patients to a hospital for further examination and ensuring the stability of all individuals at all times
• Performs other duties as assigned

Knowledge of:

• Fire and emergency medical services operations, including the supervision of employees and volunteers performing such operations
• Current fire suppression and firefighting techniques, including all related equipment.
• Fire and emergency medical services recordkeeping requirements and systems
• Fire and emergency medical services vehicles and equipment
• Safety practices involved in fire suppression, firefighting, and emergency medical services

Skills in:

• Operating a personal computer and Microsoft software such as Word, Excel, and Outlook and any specialized software for fire and emergency medical services operations
• Dealing with a wide range of persons, including situations in which individuals may be upset over some issue involving fire and life safety codes or enforcement of such codes
• Presenting technical information and building and life safety code explanations to others in an understandable and productive manner

Ability to:

• Supervise, coordinate and evaluate the work of others
• Recognize and maintain confidential information
• Work under extremely stressful situations which result from responding to emergency situations, including the responsibility for remaining calm and carrying out all duties with the recognition of the threat to life and property.
• Make determinations as to the best course of action for fighting fires or responding to other related emergency situations under pressure.
• Work within a command structure requiring strict adherence to the following of orders.
• Communicate well with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language.
• Understand and follow oral and written policies, procedures and instructions
• Prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations.
• Use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and oral instructions.
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Quickly learn and use new skills and knowledge

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School diploma or GED; Associate Degree in health or emergency services management, or related field, preferred;
• Experience in fire department operations, with management and supervisory experience;
• Possession of upon hire ICS 100 and ICS 700 from FEMA;
• Possession of upon hire EMT I license from the State of Alaska, advanced certification preferred, and
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain within 12 months of hire, Firefighter I and Firefighter II certifications from International Fire Service Accreditation Council or Proboard; and ICC Fire Inspector I and II certifications; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience, education, and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Other Job Requirements or Expectations:

• Maintain EMT licenses at highest level while employed with the department
• Maintain Firefighter certifications while employed with the department
• Maintain Fire Marshal certification while employed with the department
• Possession of a valid driver's license issued by the State of Alaska
• Must be willing to work in the evenings, at night, on weekends, and holidays
• Must be available to be on-call 24/7 on rotation with the Fire Chief
• Must use appropriate Personal Protection Equipment ("PPE")
• Must remain physically fit and able to perform the physical requirements of a firefighter or EMT
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain with 24 months of hire: International Code Council (ICC) Building Plans Examiner certification Commercial Mechanical Inspector certification

Working Conditions:

• Works in Fire Hall for about 50% of the time
• Works in outside, often in inclement weather and subject to potential personal danger, about 50% of the time
• Outdoor work exposes employee to environmental factors such as loud noises, vibrations of hand-held equipment, small and confined spaces, and known hazards involving water, chemicals, electrical, mechanical, physical substances, and fumes
• When rendering medical aid to others, employee may be exposed to blood and body fluids

Specific Physical Requirements:

• Frequent standing and walking
• Occasional climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling
• Occasional reaching, lifting, pushing, pulling, grasping, and feeling
• Occasional repetitive arm and hand motions
• Must have excellent vision acuity, both up close and at a distance including ability to visualize depth perception
• Must have excellent verbal and communication skills and hearing capabilities
• Must be able to lift, push, or pull up to 20 pounds on a regular basis
• Must be able to lift, push, or pull up to 50 pounds on a frequent basis with or without the assistance of proper equipment or with help from another
• Must be able to lift, push, or pull up to 180 pounds of force occasionally with or without the assistance of proper equipment or with help from another
• Basic swimming skills to perform ice, water, and swift water rescue

General Physical Requirements:

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities which permits the employee to communicate effectively, including during emergency situations which may involve a high degree of noise
• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation which permits the employee to perform firefighting and emergency medical services and to be aware of all related safety concerns
• Sufficient manual dexterity and strength which permits the employee to operate department equipment and lift, push, or pull an individual to safety or for medical treatment
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes which permits the employee to perform all duties involved in firefighting and emergency medical services