2.7 Fire Chief Job Description
2.7.1
Position Summary
The Fire Chief is the Chief Executive Officer of the department, responsible to the Board of
Directors for the effective, efficient and legal conduct of the department. The Fire Chief plans,
organizes, coordinates and directs the administration and operational activities of the department.
The Fire Chief is an “at-will” employee of the Coal Creek Canyon Fire Protection District Board
of Directors. The Fire District may terminate the employment relationship at any time and for no
reason, subject only to the requirements of Federal and State law. Similarly the employee may
terminate the employment relationship for any reason at any time, without prior notice.
2.7.2
Supervision Received
The Fire Chief is appointed by, and serves at the pleasure of, the Board of Directors. At
emergency scenes, the Fire Chief may be under the supervision of other officers or members
acting in the role of Incident Commander or other ICS Command role.
2.7.3
Supervision Exercised
The Fire Chief supervises, trains, and evaluates the Assistant Fire Chief, Captains, Training
Officer, Safety Officer, Wildland Officer, Medical Officer, Communications Officer,
Information & Technology Officer, and others as directed. As a company officer, the Fire Chief
will frequently command emergency incidents, or may be assigned other ICS command roles on
large scale incidents.
2.7.4
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Fire Chief Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Fosters and maintains a positive work atmosphere. Demonstrates competency in
emergency and training activities.
Promotes a spirit of cooperation, providing leadership to subordinates.
Motivates personnel to deliver safe and effective service to the community.
Recruits, hires, develops, assigns, promotes/demotes, and terminates personnel.
Directs members of the department through the chain of command.
Understands, follows and supports all district policy, procedures, standards and
guidelines. Trains and instructs subordinates in same; enforces same.
Develops and proposes annual budget, strategic plan, and service delivery plan to Board
of Directors; monitors and controls the budget; and plans, supervises acquisition and
disposition of capital expenditures.
Within Incident Command System, commands activities of personnel during emergency
incidents; may function on scene in subordinate roles.
Promotes positive relations with other agencies to ensure appropriate mutual aid
responses, and goodwill among other departments and the public.
Receives, investigates and disposes of complaints.
Within the limits of the adopted budget, directs the administration of the department,
including goals stated in the strategic and service delivery plans, applicable laws, rules
and policies.
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2.7.5
Attends Board of Directors meetings and work sessions; prepares and presents reports to
directors on operations and administration of department; makes recommendations for
board policy/procedures changes; identifies discrepancies between actual performance
and adopted goals, objectives and budget.
Provides guidance to chief officers in the planning and implementation of operations,
programs, training and personnel management.
Counsels and coaches subordinates regarding professional development and job
performance.
Regularly attends meetings with other agencies and the public.
Coordinates mutual aid agreements with other agencies.
Responds to emergencies and protects life and property by directing activities of others
during emergencies, including: driving apparatus, operating pumps and other equipment,
laying hose, attacking fire, ventilating, conducting salvage and overhaul; providing
emergency medical treatment, rescuing others, and mitigating hazardous materials
incidents.
Frequently assumes an ICS position during emergency incidents, including Incident
Command.
May perform duties of subordinates as necessary.
Meets all training and response requirements per the District Policy Manual.
Takes proper safety precautions, anticipates unsafe circumstances and acts accordingly to
prevent accidents. Responsible for the safety of self, others, materials and equipment.
Uses all required safety equipment.
Issues and retrieves personal protective gear and equipment issued to the firefighters;
coordinates and works with service vendors to schedule maintenance and repairs on
District equipment, apparatus and buildings; bids and procures firefighting equipment;
develops and maintains PPE and firefighting equipment inventories.
Identifies grant funding opportunities; develops grant applications; executes and complies
with successful grant funding requirements.
Trains and completes certifications to maintain or improve skills necessary to perform as
a Fire Chief with the department.
Performs other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors to meet the needs of the
District.
Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills
Knowledge of:
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Modern fire service methods and procedures in suppression, prevention, HazMat, EMS,
and wildland fire suppression.
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Fire service operations.
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Public relations.
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Applicable federal, state and local codes and ordinances and national standards.
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Fire and EMS training and instructional methods.
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Department policies and procedures.
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NWCG ICS organizational principles.
Ability to:
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Plan, organize, coordinate, direct and supervise volunteers operating under emergency
and routine circumstances.
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Supervise and motivate volunteer members.
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Interpret and apply laws, rules, policies, codes and standards.
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Communicate effectively orally, in writing, and by electronic media; train, instruct and
evaluate subordinates.
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Establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, subordinates, peers
and the public.
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Implement, coordinate and operate within an ICS system.
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Apply knowledge in use of fire apparatus, equipment and tools.
Skills:
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Maintain minimum qualifications and required certifications.
2.7.6
Work Environment
Primarily conducts assigned duties at emergency scenes, on and around apparatus, at fire station,
and in training settings. The position requires flexibility in managing time for attending
meetings, trainings, and responding to incidents, including weekdays, weekends, evenings and
nights. The position may also require attendance of out-of-district meetings, conferences and
trainings requiring reimbursed travel, including overnight lodging.
2.7.7
Tools and Equipment
The Fire Chief may operate department apparatus, ancillary fire/rescue/EMS equipment and
tools, personal computer and office equipment.
2.7.8
Physical Demands
As an incident commander and/or firefighter, the Fire Chief is subject to physical exertion over
periods exceeding several hours; responding to emergencies; lifting heavy objects including
other persons; climbing stairs and ladders; exposure to heights and confined spaces; driving
apparatus at all hours and in severe weather; requiring contact with severely ill and injured
persons, including persons with communicable and infectious disease; attending fire/rescue/EMS
trainings as an instructor/student.
2.7.9
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Minimum Qualifications
Reside within the District.
Current State Firefighter II, State HazMat Operations, State First Responder, American
Red Cross Healthcare Provider CPR, NWCG Wildland Urban Interface certification (S215), NWCG Firefighter Type 1/ICT5 and NWCG Engine Boss and/or Crew Boss
certifications or higher.
Minimum of seven (7) years of service in fire / emergency services, including at least two
(2) years as an officer with management and administration duties.
Ability to motivate, train, develop and discipline subordinates.
2.7.10
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Desired Qualifications
NWCG Incident Command Type 4 (ICT4)
NWCG Basic Air Operations (S-270)
NWCG Ignition Operations (S-234)
Fire Instructor
EMT-B, IV Certified