Fire Captain

Definition

Under general direction, the Fire Captain commands a fire station during an assigned shift; supervises, plans, and participates in fire suppression, emergency medical response, rescue, and fire prevention activities; provides leadership and training to assigned personnel; and performs specialized administrative, training, or fire prevention assignments in support of overall Fire Department objectives.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Fire Captain is a supervisory classification within the fire service career series. Incumbents serve as incident commanders during emergency operations and are responsible for the day-to-day maintenance, operation, and readiness of assigned stations, apparatus, and personnel. Fire Captains ensure compliance with City policies, departmental procedures, and applicable laws and regulations.

Some positions may include administrative staff assignments such as Training Officer or Fire Prevention Officer. Assignments may require a standard 40-hour workweek or a scheduled shift assignment.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Received: General supervision from the Fire Battalion Chief or higher-level Fire Department staff.
Exercised: Direct supervision over Fire Lieutenants, Firefighters, and extra-help or volunteer personnel as assigned.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plan, organize, direct, and participate in fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical, and fire prevention activities during assigned shifts.
• Respond to fire, medical, rescue, and other emergency incidents; assume command and direct incident operations in accordance with the Incident Command System (ICS).
• Supervise station personnel and oversee fire apparatus, tools, and equipment to ensure operational readiness.
• Operate fire apparatus and emergency equipment; assist in fire suppression, emergency medical care, and protection of life, property, and the environment.
• Conduct residential and commercial fire inspections to identify and mitigate fire hazards.
• Provide public education in fire prevention, emergency preparedness, and life safety.
• Train, mentor, and evaluate fire personnel; assist in developing and delivering training programs and drills.
• Ensure adherence to established safety standards, policies, and procedures.
• Maintain records and prepare reports related to incidents, personnel, training, inspections, and operations.
• Oversee maintenance of fire stations, grounds, and equipment.
• Conduct preliminary fire investigations; document findings and, when required, collect and preserve evidence for legal proceedings.
• Assist in budget preparation and expenditure monitoring as assigned.
• Serve as Acting Fire Chief when assigned.

Other duties may be assigned that are consistent with this classification.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Fire suppression and prevention methods, including the Incident Command System.
• Operation, use, and maintenance of fire apparatus and firefighting equipment.
• Principles of fire prevention, including building construction, fire inspections, and pre-fire planning.
• Mechanical principles related to fire apparatus and equipment.
• First aid, CPR, and emergency medical response techniques.
• Principles and practices of supervision, training, and fire service administration.

Ability to:

• Plan, direct, and coordinate fire suppression and emergency response activities.
• Effectively supervise, train, and evaluate fire personnel.
• Make sound decisions and exercise good judgment under emergency conditions.
• Analyze situations quickly and adopt effective courses of action.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other agencies, and the public.
• Prepare accurate reports and maintain operational records.
• Operate modern office equipment and fire communications systems.

Education and Experience

• Education: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.
• Experience: Two (2) years of full-time experience as a Fire Lieutenant or equivalent supervisory fire service experience.

Licenses and Certifications

Required at time of appointment and to be maintained throughout employment:

• Valid California driver’s license with appropriate firefighter endorsement.
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification (minimum EMT-B).
• Professional Rescuer CPR/AED certification.
• Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations certification (Title 8 CCR compliant).
• Incident Command System IC 300 certification.

Desirable Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or higher in fire science, fire administration, or a related field.
• California State Fire Training Company Officer or Fire Officer certification.
• State Fire Training Driver/Operator 1A/1B certification.
• Fire Investigator, Safety Officer, or Hazardous Materials Incident Commander certifications.

Physical and Working Conditions

• Ability to perform physically demanding work under emergency conditions, including lifting, climbing, and exposure to heat, smoke, and hazardous environments.
• Availability for shift work, nights, weekends, holidays, and emergency call-back as required.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed.