Fire Prevention Officer

Fire Prevention Officer/Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention

The Fire Prevention Officer/Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention works under the supervision of the Base Fire Chief and Base Civil Engineer or other Chain of Command personnel. The position is responsible for providing management control, maintaining and administering the programs for Hazardous Materials Operations, Safety/Health Programs, Emergency Medical Services program, Vehicle Control Officer, and logistical support for all assigned fire protection personnel. Assists the Fire Chief in the implementation and supervision of these programs and ensures all personnel meet required standards as outlined in Federal/State rules and regulations, including National Guard Bureau (NGB) and Air Force instructions; and applicable New York State Division of Military and Naval affairs (DMNA) policies - current and as amended. The Assistant Chief must demonstrate leadership, professionalism and organizational skills at a higher level than the APFF 1 and 2. In addition, when necessary, the Fire Prevention Officer will perform the duties of an Airport Firefighter 1 and 2 (APFF1 and APFF2); may act as the Airport Firefighter 3 (APFF3) or Training Officer during absences/periods of leave. This position is management confidential and is not covered under labor contract provisions within the DMNA.

This position within DMNA exists to provide fire protection, training and related services to personnel and resources by state firefighter employees assigned to various Air National Guard Bases (ANGB) located within the State of New York. The Air National Guard Fire Protection Activities Program (ANGFPA) shall be implemented in accordance with Appendix 24 of the Master Cooperative Agreement (MCA) between the State of New York and the Air National Guard (ANG), current and as amended. Further, as required and where applicable, all matters will be carried out in accordance with various federal regulations to include but not limited to: National Guard Regulation (NGR) 5-1 and Air National Guard Instruction (ANGI) 63-101; DAFI 32-2001; National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards 1500, 1582, 1561, 1404, 1975, 472, 1581, 1001, 1002; and/or applicable DMNA policy and state/federal statutes and regulations, current and as amended. The preceding references are herein after collectively referred to as "all required current firefighting, Air Force and agency standards."

Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Responsible for the oversight and management of the base wide fire prevention program
• Performs duties as the senior fire officer in charge, providing direction and control of all fire department hazardous material/WMD activities, including operations, training, and logistics.
• Executes training programs for initial certifications and re-certifications for the following hazardous material/WMD qualification levels: Hazardous Communications training, hazardous materials Awareness level, hazardous materials Operations level, hazardous materials Technician level, and hazardous materials Incident Commander.
• Oversees the training conducted by other Certified Hazmat/WMD trainers within the department.
• Provides and administers hazardous materials and WMD awareness level training to base personnel and Incident Commander level training to senior wing leadership tasked with on-scene Commander responsibilities.
• Responds to Hazmat/WMD emergencies and serves as the Incident Commander, Safety Officer, or HAZMAT group leader.
• Ensures base personnel comply with applicable OSHA/EPA/PESH regulations and procedures. Plans and coordinates with base Safety; Environmental personnel and the flights self assessment program for the Fire Department.
• Performs management oversight for the procurement and maintenance of Hazmat/WMD equipment, tools, and materials.
• Attends meetings, councils, and boards to provide advice and assistance on fire protection and hazardous materials/WMD related matters.
• Personally, conducts specialized training.
• May respond to emergencies involving special operations in order to provide technical guidance, or to perform duties as Safety Officer or as assigned by command.
• Performs all duties of the Safety Officer and serves as Chairman of the Fire Fighter Occupational Safety and Health Committee.
• Investigate accidents, which occur in the fire department, completes required reports, and recommends corrective actions.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates all required actions (i.e., notifying appropriate personnel) to ensure compliance with NFPA Standard 1500 and Occupational Safety and Health Program requirements. Additionally manages the flights National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1201 self-assessment program.
• May assist in providing operational direction and control over the departments Emergency Medical Support (EMS) program in the absence of the Training Officer.
• Performs duties as the EMS coordinator for the fire protection flight.
• Provides direction and control of all fire department EMS activities, including emergency response, training, and logistics.
• Oversees the training conducted by other Certified EMS trainers within the department.
• Plans and coordinates with on-base and off-base medical agencies to ensure all federal, state, and local medical protocols are adhered to.
• Performs management oversight for the procurement and maintenance of medical equipment.
• Assist with annual budget preparation, acquisition, controls, and issue of supplies and equipment.
• Performs Vehicle Control Officer (VCO) duties as the Fire Department Vehicle Control Officer
• Manages the fire protection vehicles.
• Plans, develops, implements, reviews, conducts and evaluates the comprehensive fire prevention training, safety, and hazardous material handling programs at the installation.
• Responsible for planning a comprehensive program of on-the-job and proficiency training for all fire protection and prevention personnel.
• Assigns, directs, and reviews the work of other employees who assist in carrying out program activities.
• Ensures the maintenance of reference materials such as the NFPA Handbook of Fire Protection, National Fire Codes, USAF directives, video library, other training aids, kits, and Career Development Course manuals.
• Required training includes chemical and physical properties of fire; combustible and explosive properties of volatile fluids and gases, and appropriate firefighting techniques; operation and maintenance of firefighting apparatus; use and maintenance of specialized powered and non-powered forcible entry tools and rescue equipment; extinguishing agents, their values and uses; firefighting techniques associated with explosives and nuclear weapons; hydraulics; structural and aircraft firefighting; rescue techniques and procedures; live fire drills; structural fire exercises, etc., and other subjects required to maintain a competent level of firefighting skills and knowledge.
• Prepares monthly, quarterly, semiannual, and annual training schedules for approval.
• Changes, adjusts, or supplements instructional materials to incorporate new information covering firefighting methods, techniques, procedures, equipment, and extinguishing agents.
• Analyzes course content, evaluates outcomes of training programs and functions to measure the effectiveness of program efforts and, as necessary, coordinates with the Fire Chief and other assistant chiefs and makes modifications to program methods and approaches.
• Coordinates and trains instructors to present fire protection operational, technical, safety, and hazardous material response lesson plans using appropriate techniques and approaches.
• Conducts recurring proficiency training in each functional area of fire protection.
• May conducts live (announced/unannounced) crash fire training and structural exercises in coordination with the Fire Chief.
• Evaluates the performance and proficiency of all personnel during training sessions and actual emergencies.
• Provides personal coaching and instructional guidance to personnel involved with completion of practical and academic projects such as automobile extraction.
• Evaluates assigned training tasks such as proper utilization of crash truck roof turret using current approved foam.
• Responsible for correcting deficiencies found in operational procedures or techniques through follow-up training. This includes directing assistant fire chiefs or any fire protection personnel in proper procedures from normal through serious emergency operations.
• May supervise Airport Firefighters in firefighting activities and other assigned tasks as directed by the Chief and in accordance with agency standards.
• Prepare and conduct instructional exercises as directed by Fire Chief.
• Assist Fire Chief in the development of firehouse procedures and directives.
• Ensure that Fire Department facilities are maintained in a safe, clean, neat and orderly fashion.
• Position is a 40-hours per week, but may be required to work irregular hours and shifts including 24-hour shifts, weekends and holidays. Schedules may require periodic changes or modifications in order to meet fire unit operational needs and training requirements.
• Provide information and maintain an acceptable means of contact such as a cellular telephone or maintain a telephone at place of residence.
• Appropriately operate equipment, motor vehicles and trucks as assigned. Ensure proper utilization of same by subordinate staff.
• Other job related duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

Firefighters routinely face risks, work irregular hours and must respond to calls regardless of the weather