Fire Chief

City of Elizabethtown | Elizabethtown, KY

JOB SUMMARY: This is a department leadership position involving the administration of the fire department, including day-to-day operations and management of personnel, facilities, and equipment. Under the general direction from the mayor and city administrator, the chief manages, plans, organizes, coordinates, and ensures the quality of firefighting, preventionand fire services, activities, and programs of the department. Considerable independence is exercised subject to the general supervision of the city administrator.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Direct and manage department personnel policies.
• Assign personnel and equipment to the various facilities to ensure proper staffing and adequate equipment for emergency response.
• Prepare department budget, manage facilities, and plan improvements.
• Maintain necessary departmental records.
• Oversee fire prevention bureau and training activities.
• Command fire suppression forces, generally through subordinates.
• Apply city policies to the management and operations of the department.
• Maintain working relationships with county, state, and federal agencies.
• Oversee the city safety program
• Serve as emergency management and search & rescue director for the city and maintain qualifications as established by KRS 39A through 39F.
• Serve as fire marshal, enforcimgfire prevention codes through the fire prevention bureau and coordinate with city engineer and building official on fire related matters.
• Serve as incident commander at hazardous material incidents.
• Maintain availability to perform duties as required at times other than regular office hours.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the mayor or city administrator.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum

• Graduation from accredited High School or GED
• 10 years of progressively responsible experience in firefighting or fire prevention work, including a minimum of three years supervisory experience
• Meet the qualifications as established by KRS 95
• Be a resident of Hardin County
• Communicate effectively in English both orally and in writing
• Possess a valid Kentucky driver's license
• Physically capable of performing essential job functions (as noted in physical demands and work environment) to include maintaining annual certification under NFPA 1582 for firefighter physical attributes

Preferred

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with degree in fire science, or equivalent
• Five years as a member of a fire department command team
• Certified instructor in firefighting techniques and services

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Modern firefighting principles, practices, methods, and the ability to apply this knowledge to varied fire control and prevention programs
• Firefighting equipment and apparatus on the proper application of each
• Laws, rules, and regulation relating to fire control and prevention
• The use and operation of a wide variety of fire apparatus
• Safety and training programs to ensure the proper operation of a command center in fire and hazardous condition responses

Skilled in:

• Implementing policy directives to the operations of the department.
• Maintaining discipline and respect of subordinates and command staff.
• Public communication.

Ability to:

• Initiate, plan, and conduct programs for department operations, training, and fire prevention.
• Develop a teamwork environment
• Maintain effective working relationships with subordinates and other employees, the public, and government and industry representatives.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Sitting: 2/3 or more of the time
• Using hands to finger, handle, or feel: 1/3 to 2/3 of the time
• Walking: 1/3 to 2/3 of the time
• Stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling: 1/3 to 2/3 of the time
• Standing: 1/3 to 2/3 of the time
• Reaching with hands and arms: 1/3 to 2/3 of the time
• Talking: 2/3 or more of the time
• Climbing or Balancing: 1/3 to 2/3 of the time
• Hearing: 2/3 or more of the time
• Lifting: 1/3 of the time (up to 15 pounds) 15 pounds)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Wet or humid conditions (non-weather): None

Barb Jones
Human Resources
200 West Dixie Avenue
Elizabethtown, KY 42701