Deputy Fire Chief - Operations

DEFINITION / GENERAL PURPOSE:

Performs a variety of administrative, supervisory, and technical work in the supervision and administration of fire suppression, emergency aid, hazardous materials, fire prevention, budget, and activities associated with Emergency Management and the Department of Homeland Security.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

Receives direct supervision from the Fire Chief.

Direct supervision of Non-Exempt personnel.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Coordinate the activities of three working shifts at multiple stations to ensure continuity in services provided.

Develop and manage the budget for the Fire Operations Division.

Working with the Fire Marshal, ensure that every commercial, industrial, institutional, school facility, multi-family dwelling (five or more), and public buildings receive a pre-plan inspection annually.

Reviews, approves, and submits payroll records at the end of each pay period for subordinate staff members.

Prepares, reviews, and submits injury reports for subordinate staff.

Notifies the Fire Chief of all reported injuries or deaths of Fire Department Personnel.

May assume command of fire and emergency medical incidents.

Determines methods of fire suppression in accordance with fire department policy

Supervises subordinate personnel to ensure instructions, policies, procedures, guidelines, and practices of the Department are followed.

Schedules supervises and manages the inspection of fire hydrants, personal protective equipment, hose testing, ladder testing, and other equipment.

Ensures that the Fire Department is in compliance with rules, regulations and laws in accordance with and related to the Texas Commission on Fire Protection and the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Work closely with fire department staff and vendors of fire and EMS equipment, and general vendors who provide repair and maintenance services, to ensure fiscal responsibility is considered in all matters that affect the Department.

Oversees the acquisition, maintenance, storage, and use of emergency medical supplies and equipment in accordance with Federal, State, County, and City laws, ordinances, city policies, procurement policies, and departmental policies and procedures.

Serves as the primary point of contact for all EMS-related billing matters, customer inquiries, hospital liaison(s), insurance verifications. This includes coordinating with the Finance Department on all EMS-related billing matters and collection issues.

Supervises maintenance of Departmental equipment, supplies, and facilities.

Serve as the administrator for the EMS records management systems.

Support and coordinate with the administrator of the Fire records management systems.

Prepares and maintains various reports, records, and presentations on behalf of the Department.

Manage the wireless radio system for the City.

Troubleshoot and correct radio system issues.

Anticipate, plan, and initiate radio communication success strategies.

Recommends and develops policies, procedures, guidelines, and practices for the Fire Department.

Continually monitors the Department's progress in relation to its goals and objectives, as set by the Fire Chief.

Investigates complaints regarding personnel conduct.

Provides and reviews disciplinary recommendations and employee evaluations. Monitors and observes Departmental activities to ensure that conduct and performance conform to Department standards. Carries out duties conforming to Federal, State, County, and City laws and ordinances.

Supports the City's Emergency Management Coordinator on emergency preparedness issues with the United States Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, State of Texas Department of Emergency Management, Coryell County Office of Emergency Management, and other local municipalities. Reviews state and federal proposed legislation and provides recommendations accordingly. Assists with the coordination with all agencies and resources of local, County, and State government on matters relating to terrorism prevention, response, and recovery.

Supports training programs and emergency operations drills to prepare City staff to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies.

Establishes effective communications and information sharing on a local, County, and State level.

Participates actively in local, State, Regional, and National Homeland Security activities, sharing information with appropriate staff and agencies. Manages and responds to open records requests. Supports Homeland Security and other grant activities and ensures grant submissions by various agencies are in the best overall interests of the City.

Coordinates with the Finance Department in submitting Federal and State reimbursement claims for the City's costs during and after emergency operations.

Supports the scheduling, supervision, and performance of inspections of existing structures, construction, and remodel sites for compliance with fire codes.

Participates in the operation of Departmental in-service training activities. Performs the duties of subordinate personnel as needed. Attends training, conferences, and meetings to keep abreast of current trends in the field; represents the City Fire/EMS Department in various local, County, State, and other meetings.

Maintains normal availability by radio or telephone for consultation on major emergencies or precedents.

Meets with citizens to address complaints or requests as needed.

Coordinates activities and exchanges information with other supervisors, City Departments, Fire Departments, and outside agencies.

Serves as the Fire and EMS training coordinator for initial and continuing education activities.

Teaches fire and EMS initial and continuing education classes.

Oversees all fire and EMS training activities conducted in the department.

Prepares department-wide training schedule for continuing education classes.

Prepares department-wide education activities for initial education courses.

Serves as the primary point of contact for paramedic education students.

Oversees the progress of students enrolled in out-of-department fire and EMS education programs and works with those staff to support a positive outcome.

Performs other essential duties as required to achieve successful operations of the department.

Effectively communicate and work with citizens who may have complaints about services provided.

Must be able to have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city officials, city employees, representatives of government agencies, media, and the general public.

Must be able to follow directions.

Regular and timely attendance is an essential job function.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES:

Serves as a member of various employee committees and may represent the City at various conferences and meetings.

Other Duties as assigned.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university with a degree in fire science, public administration, or a closely related field;

Seven (7) years of professional experience in firefighting and emergency medical service work, three (3) years must have been at a Fire Captain supervisory level or higher or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Certification from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection as Master Firefighter, Fire Officer IV, Fire Instructor III, Driver Operator Pumper, Driver/Operator Aerial, Fire Inspector, and Fire Investigator required;

Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid class "B" TX State Driver's License.

Other certifications and licenses:

TDSHS: EMS Instructor

TDSHS: Paramedic

NIMS -- ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, & 800

Must not have any felony convictions or disqualifying criminal histories;

Because of the potential for emergency recall, the Deputy Fire Chief must be able to respond within 30 minutes of notification. This requirement must be maintained after hire, and failure to maintain this requirement will subject the employee to termination of employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of City geography;

Knowledge of local and state government operations, policies, rules and laws;

Skills to develop employees to ensure the necessary skills and abilities exist for growth;

Ability to supervise others;

Ability to participate in professional associations and stay current on the latest technology, systems, and policies;

Ability to meet departmental physical standards;

Ability to work long hours;

Ability to multi-task several equally important projects/programs;

Ability to quickly make decisions in emergency situations based upon limited facts available, often within the first few minutes of an incident;

Ability to communicate to all levels of socio-economic and educational levels;

Ability to measure and determine priorities with minimal direction from immediate supervisor;

Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with employees, other governmental agency representatives, city officials and the general public;

Ability to prepare and analyze various reports;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, city employees, department supervisors, and other City officials in department activities.

The employee must work well with others and have a good/pleasant attitude.

SELECTION GUIDELINES:

May include - Formal application; review of education and experience; appropriate testing and interviews; oral interview; background check; physical agility; drug screening; final selection and pre-employment medical examination. NOTE: Appointees will be subject to completion of a standard orientation period.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Emergency medical aid unit, fire apparatus, fleet vehicles, fire pumps, hoses, and other standard firefighting equipment, safety equipment, ladders, first aid equipment, radio, pager, personal computer including word processing software, phone, copy/fax machine, cameras, other specialized tools and equipment as required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk and hear; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, co-peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. Possibility of severe injury or loss of life when fighting fires. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting or EMT activities when noise levels may be loud.

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

No one will perform the duties of a higher position without prior authorization from an individual authorized to approve.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.