Position Title: Fire Chief (2019) City of Lakeland Position Description I. General Summary of Overall Responsibilities This employee is responsible for the comprehensive administrative and support services under the administrative direction of the city manager. Instructions to the employee are general, and the employee routinely uses independent judgment, knowledge, skills and experience when performing and delegating tasks. This position supervises subordinate fire officers. II. Listing of Individual Duties and Responsibilities Essential duties and responsibilities include those listed below and may be supplemented, as necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if possible, without compromising the emergency response nature of the work. Other duties may also be assigned. Duties include: Direct and coordinate, through subordinate level managers, all department activities including fire suppression, rescue services, emergency medical treatment, hazardous materials response, fire investigation program, community risk reduction programs, training programs, and equipment maintenance and repair. Direct and participate in the development and administration of the annual departmental operating and capital budgets; evaluate needs and make recommendations for additional fire department resources including personnel, apparatus, equipment, and stations. Leads the department s development and implementation of strategic and tactical planning to assure the most efficient development and use of department resources. Plan and direct the implementation of the department s short-and long-term goals, objectives, and strategies in accordance with the city s mission. Develop and maintain a comprehensive emergency management plan for the City, and serve as the City liaison with surrounding municipalities and government agencies to coordinate mutual emergency management plans. Prepare reports on departmental activities, and supervise others in the preparation of reports, to the city manager and Board of Commissioners. Coordinates activities and exchanges information with other directors, Job Description Fire Chief (2019) Page 1 of 5
supervisors, officers, and city staff. Assumes command, as necessary, of all types of emergency scene operations using established Incident Command System (ICS) procedures. Assists with career development of all department Maintains competency in current operational procedures and keeps abreast of current trends in fire administration, fire suppression, training, and community risk reduction methods. Evaluates and facilitates positive relationships between department personnel and other agencies. Maintains positive working relationships with department members. Performs other duties as requested or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties above. The City of Lakeland Fire Department is responsible for carrying out all the activities essential to the prevention and suppression of fire in Lakeland, and in providing related emergency and essential services that protect life and property. These activities include: Taking appropriate action to maintain department programs, equipment, supplies, and facilities. Leading the overall direction of fire department operations and business functions. Representing the department in a variety of local, county, state, and other meetings, as needed. Developing and maintaining personnel rules and regulations, personnel records, and other related regulations and records. Ensuring compliance with state and federal fire related laws and regulations. III. Minimum Knowledge and Training Required Must possess a Bachelor s degree in Fire Science, Business Administration, or a related field. Must be twenty-one (21) years of age. Must possess and maintain a valid Tennessee driver license. Must possess and maintain at least an EMT license from the State of Tennessee. Must be able to read, write, and speak the English language. Must be able to meet the physical requirements of the department. Must successfully pass required drug screening. Must successfully complete the City of Lakeland hiring process which includes a background check. Must have a minimum seven years fire service experience, with three years in fire service management. Must have successfully completed Fire Officer II training from the Tennessee State Fire Academy, or equivalent training. Management of Fire operations and Job Description Fire Chief (2019) Page 2 of 5
Extensive Knowledge of: Fire department leadership, management, and administration The laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the operations of a municipal fire department. Fire behavior and characteristics. Firefighting techniques, practices, and standards. Hazardous materials emergency operations and management. Department policies and procedures. Supervisory and motivational skills necessary to effectively manage department The Insurance Services Office (ISO) Fire Suppression Rating Schedule. Working knowledge of: Entire department operations. Emergency medical care and CPR techniques and their application. Operations, procedures, and department goals and standards. Ability to: Effectively supervise others and plan and direct the work of subordinate Follow verbal and written instructions. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, city officials and other employees. Handle all physical requirements of the job. Analyze situations quickly and make decisions regarding the management of emergency situations. Handle sensitive information in an appropriate manner. Work effectively as part of the city s management team. Research and evaluate programs to meet departmental needs. Identify problem areas and make recommendations. Use Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint with proficiency. Prepare concise reports and records. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Stay informed of new fire, EMS, and emergency management rules and regulations that may impact the city, its employees, residents, and business owners. Ability to function as a member of a team. Desired Knowledge and Training Master s degree in Fire Science, Business Administration, or a related field. State of Tennessee certification as a Fire Officer-III or Fire Officer-IV. State of Tennessee certification as a paramedic. Job Description Fire Chief (2019) Page 3 of 5
Ten years of progressively responsible fire service management experience as a fire officer. Experience with various fire service computerized records management systems. IV. Environmental Conditions Though most work is performed in a typical office setting, the employee is on-call 24/7/365 and occasionally works outdoors in all kinds of weather. The employee operates a computer and modern office equipment, and performs work on specialized firefighting apparatus, tools, and equipment. The employee drives vehicles and apparatus, and responds to fires and other emergencies both during and after normal working hours. The following environmental conditions are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The office work area is adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated. There is occasional noise from office equipment such as telephones, printers, and copiers. Most tasks are performed while seated at a desk or table, although occasional walking and standing are required to visit other offices, or to go to and from meetings and conferences, or to provide both classroom and practical training programs. Travel away from the worksite is normally by automobile or common carrier (e.g., plane or train). When responding to emergency incidents, work is performed both indoors and outdoors, under stressful conditions, sometimes in confined spaces, in all kinds of weather and temperature extremes, and at any time of the day or night, and sometimes in situations where the employee is exposed to hazards associated with emergency driving, and work in, and around, traffic. Emergency response work involves wearing personal protective equipment weighing 50 pounds or more. The employee is occasionally exposed to atmospheres that are immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) that contain high temperatures, smoke, and chemicals. The employee must be physically able to perform firefighting operations while wearing a complete set of personal protective equipment, including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), in accordance with all applicable OSHA/NIOSH rules and regulations, as well as all applicable department guidelines. The employee must be able to wear and use SCBA and pass an annual OSHA fit test. The employee must be able to walk, use hands and fingers to grasp or feel, reach with hands and arms, such as in handling hoses and other firefighting equipment, or lifting Job Description Fire Chief (2019) Page 4 of 5
stretchers, sometimes for prolonged periods of time, climb or balance on stairs and ladders, work from ladders at heights as high as 100-feet, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl while fighting fires and/or assisting in search and rescues. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds (various firefighting gear and equipment), occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds (hoses and ladders), and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds (injured or sick people, or items creating obstacles). Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. When providing emergency medical care, the employee may be exposed to persons and/or articles with contagious and/or communicable diseases, and hazards associated with natural and man-made disasters. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may be loud for extended periods of time. Job Description Fire Chief (2019) Page 5 of 5