Assistant Fire Chief

Overview

The Assistant Fire Chief is responsible for assisting the Fire Chief in managing emergency and non-emergency work activities and directing the Fire District. This position plans, organizes and directs the activities of the Fire Operations, Administration and Prevention Divisions as assigned. Activities include commanding emergency incidents, fire suppression, investigations, prevention, personnel training, customer service activities, and public relations events. The Assistant Fire Chief serves as Fire Chief in the Chief’s absence and provides highly complex staff assistance to the Fire Chief.

The Assistant Fire Chief represents and supports the Mission, Vision, and Values of the District and is expected to contribute to operational objectives through effective communication, implementation of District initiatives, and enforcement of District policies, procedures, and performance standards.

An Assistant Fire Chief is a sworn public safety officer responsible for supervising divisions within the District as assigned. This role requires a 40-hour work week and may require additional hours for emergencies, projects, events, or meetings. As a management position, the person manages confidential information and acts on behalf of the Fire Chief in their absence. The position supports and implements District goals and objectives and represents the District professionally.

This role is distinguished from the Fire Chief by having the latter’s overall responsibility and serves at the will of the Fire Chief.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED AUTHORITY EMPOWERMENT

• Receives direction and supervision from the Fire Chief.
• Exercises direct, technical and functional supervision of assigned staff.
• When assigned to a program area, responsible for program establishment, supervision, maintenance and accountability of the program.
• Performs as Incident Commander at emergencies until relieved by another Chief Officer.
• May act on behalf of the Fire Chief or designee in their absence.

(depending upon assignment, may include but are not limited to the following)

• Assist the Fire Chief in managing and directing the Fire District and act as Fire Chief in their absence.
• Direct the administration of multiple divisions of the District and supervise division managers as assigned by the Fire Chief.
• In conjunction with division managers, review, research, and analyze District operations and make recommendations to the Fire Chief.
• Assist the Fire Chief in developing District goals and objectives; assist in the development and implementation of policies and procedures, rules and regulations and memoranda of understanding agreements.
• Actively participate in the collective bargaining and meet and confer process.
• Review the operation of all divisions to determine the accomplishment of the District’s primary missions and objectives.
• Assist in ensuring District compliance with and enforcement of applicable Federal, State and local laws, ordinances and codes.
• Plan, organize, direct, coordinate and evaluate the work of assigned divisions, battalions, units, or programs including fire suppression, EMS, fire prevention, inspections, public education, training, and support services.
• Develop and implement complex and/or highly visible programs, reports, and special projects.
• Develop and implement assigned Division work plan; assign work activities, projects and programs; monitor workflow; review and evaluate work products, methods and procedures.
• Represent the District to the public, City/County officials, the Board of Directors, civic groups and media as requested.
• Assist in budget preparation and implementation; participate in forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; assist the Fire Chief with administering the approved budget; recommend strategies to improve fiscal efficiency.
• May respond and assume command at the scene of major fires, critical emergencies, significant catastrophic events and other related emergencies.
• May act as a liaison with officials in fire, law enforcement, neighboring jurisdictions, and state and federal agencies.
• Attend training…