Fire Division Chief Training

JOB SUMMARY

The purpose of this classification is to perform skilled and technical work consisting of supervisory, managerial, leadership, and administrative functions with primary responsibility being the oversight and management of the Fire Department Training Division. Work involves highly responsible and complex support to the supervisor requiring independent judgment while following established policies, rules, and laws. Work is reviewed through reports, observations, and obtained results. Serves as the fire department Health and Safety Officer and Incident Safety Officer.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Plans, prepares, and oversees lessons, drills, training, and testing on procedures, new equipment, and operational skills; supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals; participates in interviews and makes hiring recommendations.
• Coordinates daily work activities; organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; consults with assigned staff, assists with complex/problem situations, and provides technical expertise.
• Ensures departmental training compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures; ensures adherence to established safety procedures; monitors work environment and use of safety equipment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.
• Consults with Battalion Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, Fire Chief, City officials, other public safety agencies, and other officials to review operations/activities, review/resolve problems, receive advice/direction, and provide recommendations.
• Communicates with supervisory personnel of adjoining shifts to gather/exchange information on orders, problems, special situations, or other areas requiring attention.
• Oversees daily operations and activities of assigned fire shift; monitors radio traffic; conducts station rounds to inspect/review equipment, apparatus, protective clothing, and facility; ensures station and personnel maintain a state of readiness/preparation for emergency response; ensures that equipment is properly maintained for response to emergency calls; checks stock of equipment and supplies on fire vehicles and in fire station; coordinates necessary equipment repair.
• Performs administrative functions associated with shift operations; prepares daily journal book; develops or approves work schedules to ensure adequate coverage; reviews/approves vacation/leave requests; prepares and submits required reports; reviews reports, checklists, and other documentation prepared by assigned staff for accuracy and completeness; makes photographic records of incident sites, code violation sites, or other situations.
• Assists with development of department budget; provides budgetary input and assists in monitoring expenditure.
• Conducts and/or coordinates training for fire personnel in firefighting procedures, emergency medical care, and other department activities; conducts or coordinates in-house training activities; schedules and coordinates training by external schools/agencies; ensures personnel receive adequate training and maintain current certifications; monitors employee performance and provides feedback to management personnel.
• Monitors inventory levels of departmental supplies; ensures availability of adequate supplies and materials to conduct work activities; initiates orders for new or replacement materials; assists in preparing equipment specifications for bids.
• Conducts investigations of accidents, injuries, or complaints involving assigned personnel, vehicles, equipment, or operations; participates in internal affairs investigations as needed; research accidents/complaints and recommends and/or initiates problem resolution.
• Oversees response to emergency calls for fire suppression, medical assistance, hazardous materials incidents, motor vehicle accidents, natural disasters, explosions, bomb threats, terrorism, rescue operations, downed power lines, and other emergency situations.
• Serves as incident commander at fire/emergency scenes; responds to incidents and supervises fire ground activities; assesses/evaluates incident scenes; determines appropriate methods of fighting fires, appropriate placement of fire trucks at fire scenes, appropriate placement of hose streams, and other operational strategies; determines necessary allocation of manpower/equipment; ensures utilization of proper methods to suppress/control fires and preserve evidence.
• Performs firefighting work as needed; provides protection of life and property; suppresses, controls and extinguishes fires; performs search, rescue, extrication of victims, and forcible entries; assists individuals from burning structures; positions/climbs ladders of various heights to access upper levels of buildings and perform rescue operations; establishes openings in buildings for entrance, ventilation, or salvage; ventilates smoke and gas from buildings; performs salvage operations such as throwing salvage covers, sweeping water, and removing debris.
• Drives, operates, and monitors a variety of fire/emergency vehicles/apparatus as needed; determines best route to reach location of emergency calls; performs driving functions in a safe and efficient manner under various conditions, including day/night hours, in congested traffic, in adverse weather conditions, and in emergency situations involving speeds in excess of posted limits; positions apparatus and equipment for optimal use of equipment and hose.
• Locates water supplies to fight fires; lays out, connects, and maneuvers fire hoses/nozzles; operates pumps and directs stream of water or chemicals onto fire; disconnects and rolls used hoses.
• Performs Emergency Medical Technician functions as needed; administers basic life support, first aid, and artificial respiration to sick/injured persons; works to stabilize patients at incident scenes; determines nature and extent of illness/injury; obtains, records, and monitors patients’ vital signs; administers initial treatment at emergency scene; performs invasive and non-invasive procedures on patients with life-threatening conditions, per established procedures or as authorized/directed by physicians; communicates with medical personnel at emergency treatment facility to obtain instructions regarding further treatment and to arrange for reception of victims at treatment facility; performs physical lifting techniques associated with moving patients between incident site, stretcher, or ambulance; completes or ensures completion of required records/reports.
• May perform Paramedic functions as needed, according to level of certification; provides advanced emergency medical care to sick/injured persons, which may include providing basic life support (BLS), advanced life support (ALS), advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), basic trauma life support (BTLS), pediatric care, obstetrical care, respiratory management, and/or drug treatments; works to stabilize patients at incident scenes; determines nature and extent of illness/injury; obtains, records, and monitors patients’ vital signs; administers initial treatment at emergency scene; provides advanced level of care for victims of cardiac or respiratory arrest; performs cardiac monitoring and defibrillation; maintains circulation and controls bleeding; provides spinal management and immobilization; provides fluid resuscitation by IV; manages trauma injuries, bleeding, and post-traumatic shock; determines appropriate medication, dosage, and route of medication; administers injections of medications and drugs, including drugs to treat emergency cardiac conditions, following established protocols.
• Oversees pre-fire planning activities; coordinates and performs inspections of buildings for pre-fire plans, fire hazards, and compliance with fire codes/ordinances; inspects structures for stability.
• Assists in conducting fire investigations to determine the cause/origin of suspicious fires.
• Provides assistance to other public service agencies or outside organizations as appropriate; assists law enforcement personnel with traffic control; assists with public service functions such as rescuing animals, cleaning up road hazards, or other tasks as assigned.
• Operates or utilizes various emergency vehicles and emergency/medical equipment, tools and supplies, which may include a command vehicle, fire truck/engine, aerial apparatus, ambulance/rescue truck, pumps, generator, air compressor, hose, hydrant, nozzle, adapter, ground ladder, extinguisher, self-contained breathing apparatus, extrication tools, hydraulic tools, air bags, cutting torch, chain saw, axe, gas detector, ventilation fan, defibrillator, cardiac monitor, glucometer, pulse-oximeter, sphygmomanometer, stethoscope, immobilization equipment, medical/first aid supplies, mechanic tools, hand tools, or radio communications equipment.
• Supervises and assists in performing general maintenance tasks necessary to keep vehicles, buildings, quarters, hydrants, apparatus, equipment, and tools in operable condition, which may include inspecting/testing equipment, inspecting hydrants, replacing fluids, greasing equipment, replacing parts, washing/cleaning equipment, or cleaning station/quarters; monitors equipment operations to maintain efficiency and safety; reports faulty equipment for necessary maintenance work.
• Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, performance evaluations, schedules, attendance records, overtime sheets, comp time sheets, budget requests, logs, checklists, fire/hazardous materials incident reports, accident reports, run reports, casualty reports, patient care reports, billing/insurance forms, maintenance reports/records, drug inventory records, inspection forms/records, hose records, hydrant test reports, SCBA records, pre-fire plans, drawings, training records, or other documents; performs quality control inspections of fire reporting and identifies errors for correction.
• Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, training schedules, vacation/leave requests, supply requisitions, incident reports, accident reports, logs, checklists, inspection forms, equipment/vehicle maintenance records, pre-fire plans, blueprints, maps, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, medical books, protocols, publications, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards, or retains as appropriate.
• Operates a personal computer, camera, drafting tools, or general office equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, to include the use of word processing, database, spreadsheet, presentation, email, Internet, or other computer programs.
• Maintains records, logs, and files of work activities in accordance with Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council, maintains current map books, manuals, policies/procedures, and other materials for reference and/or review.
• Maintains training records in accordance with Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council as well as Insurance Service Office (ISO).
• Communicates via telephone and/or two-way radio; communicates effectively and coherently over radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications; provides information and assistance; takes and relays messages; responds to requests for service or assistance.
• Creates/maintains positive public relations; provides information and education to the public regarding fire safety, fire prevention, and firefighting; conducts blood pressure checks for the public; installs smoke detectors; participates in parades and civic events.
• Communicates with fire officials, employees, community service workers, students, dispatchers, other departments, law enforcement officials, medical providers, patients, family members, witnesses, property owners/occupants, utility companies, vendors, civic organizations, the public, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, resolve problems, or give/receive advice/direction.
• Attend meetings and serve on committees as needed.
• Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; maintains an awareness of new equipment, methods, procedures, and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; participates in physical fitness training and continuing education activities; attends shift meetings, workshops, and seminars as appropriate.
• Provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed.
• Performs other related duties as required by the fire chief.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Candidates with the rank of Lieutenant or above and an Associate Degree in Emergency Medical Services, Fire Science, or a related degree with ten(10) years of experience performing Fire Rescue and Emergency Medical Services work, to include (4) years of experience in training other staff or bachelor’s degree or above in Emergency Medical Services, Fire Science, management, leadership or a related degree. Must be certified to the Fire Service Instructor II level. Must possess NPQ Fire Officer I and II. Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license. Must possess and maintain a valid certification from the State of Georgia as a Firefighter I and/or II (NPQ), AEMT or EMT-I.

Licenses or Certifications:

• Georgia Firefighter Certification or NPQ I or II Certification.
• State of Georgia AEMT or EMT-I Certification or National Registry required, Paramedic preferred.
• NPQ Fire Instructor II Certification.
• NPQ Fire Officer II Certification.
• NPQ Structural Fire Control Instructor Certification.
• NPQ Hazardous Material Operations Certification.
• NPQ Evaluator Certification (or within 12 months of hire).
• Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800 within three months of hire.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the organization of local government; the function of various departments, agencies, and external organizations, and their roles and responsibilities that relate to the fire service and public safety.
• Knowledge of various fire department models; functions and relationships between various fire divisions (Administration, Operations, Training, Fire Prevention, Public Safety Education, etc.); E911 Dispatch Centers and Emergency Communications Systems; and Emergency Management Agencies.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the functional activities required in the management of a large public safety organization.
• Knowledge of the geography of the city and the location of streets, principal buildings, and streets.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of modern firefighting operations, fire prevention activities, and training fire personnel.
• Knowledge of building construction, construction materials, building systems, and fire protection/life safety systems.
• Ability to learn, comprehend, and apply all city or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position.
• Ability to synthesize, hypothesize, and/or theorize concerning data involving modification of existing policies, strategies, and/or methods to meet unique or unusual conditions. Requires the ability to do so within the context of existing organizational theories and management principles.
• Ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
• Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in situations involving broader aspects of organizational programs and operations, moderately unstable situations, or the direction, control, and planning of an entire program or set of programs.
• Ability to operate a variety of machines, tools, and equipment which includes a motor vehicle, computer, generator, fire pump, fire hydrant, ax, shovel, hydraulic tools, power tools, hand tools, medical equipment, etc.
• Ability to plan, assign, supervise and review the work of designated staff. Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing, prepare clear and concise reports, articulate strategic and innovative thinking.
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues in a way that builds upon ideas and takes personal accountability and ownership of projects, roles, and assignments and champion a culture that encourages and embraces new ideas, develops individuals, welcomes, and encourages diverse perspectives.
• Ability to make presentations to the City Council, fire personnel, citizens, civic and governmental organizations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is heavy work which requires the ability to exert heavy physical effort, with greater emphasis on climbing and balancing, but typically also involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (50-100 pounds). Tasks also require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions. Performance of fire suppression functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, smoke, temperature and noise extremes, hazardous materials, fire, unsafe structures, heights, confined spaces, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, bright/dim lights, toxic agents, animal/wildlife attacks, animal/human bites, explosives, firearms, water hazards, violence, disease, pathogenic substances, or rude/irate customers.