FIRE CHIEF

Position is open until Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at 4:30 PM EST

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

This is very responsible executive work involving the planning and direction of all fire suppression, fire prevention, and emergency management activities of the city.

Work involves responsibility for providing and maintaining quality fire and emergency management services for the residents of the community by utilizing the most up to date techniques in addressing fire suppression, fire investigation, public fire education, code enforcement, fire protection, emergency medical care, plan review and public relations. Duties include directing the activities of a municipal fire department, responding to multi-alarm fires and emergencies and taking command, department budget preparation and budget management, and serving as Fire Marshal for the municipality. This position also has the responsibility for making the most difficult fire prevention, fire suppression, and emergency management technical decisions. The work requires the employee have thorough knowledge, skill and ability in every phase of modern firefighting methods, fire prevention, fire department administration and firefighting equipment.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general direction of the City Manager.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Supervises municipal fire department through Battalion Chiefs, Assistant Chief of Training and Safety, the Captain in the Fire Marshal’s Office and administrative staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Directs activities of a municipal fire department including the training of personnel and the administration of laws and regulations affecting the department.

Evaluates fire prevention and fire control hazardous materials programs and policies by keeping abreast of new methods and conducting studies of departmental operations.

Assumes personal command at multiple alarm fires.

Oversees firefighters engaged in the operation and maintenance of fire stations and equipment. Coordinates mutual fire protection plans with surrounding municipalities.

Surveys buildings, grounds and equipment to estimate needs.

Prepares the Fire and Emergency Management budgets and maintains budgetary control.

Counsels employees, administers discipline, and directs training. Appoints job candidates from approved certification lists. Approves employee performance evaluations. Administers union contract language, and as needed participates in contract negotiations.

Confers with officials and community groups and conducts public relation campaigns to present need for changes in laws and policies and to encourage fire prevention.

Monitors investigations of fire causes and the inspection of buildings for fire hazards. Controls issuance of occupancy permits and similar licenses.

Serves as Fire Marshal in accordance with requirements of the City Charter. Maintains collaborative working relations with volunteer fire companies.

Manages activities in the City’s Emergency Operations Center when activated.

Researches, writes, reviews and updates the City’s Emergency Operations Plan for all potential natural or man-made hazards.

Develops and implements periodic emergency management exercises to improve familiarity with plans and test communications and response protocols.

Plans, establishes and directs emergency planning training programs for agencies, institutions, groups, volunteers and City staff including coordinating roles in emergency situations with emergency response agencies.

NONESSENTIAL DUTIES

None.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of modern firefighting methods and equipment, fire prevention and fire department management.

Considerable knowledge of public administration principles and practices as applied to a fire suppression and fire prevention function.

Knowledge of laws, regulations and grant procedures applicable to municipal homeland security and emergency management operations.

Knowledge of federal directives (e.g.: National Incident Management System – NIMS) and ability to ensure compliance for the City of Norwich.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city officials, subordinates, associates, volunteer fire companies and the general public.

Considerable ability to communicate orally and in writing and to lead others.

Considerable ability to administer policies and procedures, including goals, objectives, planning, financial management, decision making, and report development and writing.

Considerable ability to supervise the efforts of city fire department through subordinate personnel.

QUALIFICATIONS

A bachelor's degree in fire science, public administration, business administration or a related field, plus ten years of recent, full time, paid, progressively responsible supervisory experience in fire suppression and prevention for a comparable or larger size population, including at least one year at the rank of Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, or Battalion Chief. An equivalent combination of education and experience which provides a demonstrated ability to perform the duties of the position may be considered. Recent experience is defined as within the last two years.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

State of Connecticut certification as a Fire Marshal within one year of appointment. Must have a Connecticut driver's license. Completion of required NIMS training and FEMA training within 18 months of appointment.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Motor vehicle, telephone, radio communications equipment, standard office equipment.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL 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 sit, walk, talk and listen; use hands to finger, handle, or operate office equipment and firefighting equipment; and reach with hands and arms. Employee must be able to tolerate extreme fluctuations in temperature while performing duties in hot, humid atmospheres while wearing equipment that significantly impairs body-cooling mechanisms. The employee must rely on senses of sight, hearing, smell, and touch to help determine the nature of the emergency, maintain personal safety, and make critical decisions in a confused, chaotic, and potentially life-threatening environment throughout the duration of the operation. The employee must work for long periods of time, requiring sustained physical activity and intense concentration. The employee must perform a variety of tasks on slippery, hazardous surfaces such as rooftops or from ladders. The employee must wear personal protective equipment that weighs approximately 50 pounds while performing firefighting tasks. The employee must make rapid transitions from rest to near maximal exertion without warm-up periods. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Employee must be able to read, analyze and interpret moderately complex documents and respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints. The position requires the ability to apply the principles of logical thinking to a wide range of practical problems.

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. The work conducted in typical office working conditions with virtually no disagreeable features. The noise level in the work environment is generally quiet, but at the scene of a fire any number of unfavorable or severe conditions may exist including heat, cold, smoke, toxic chemicals, physical danger and stressful situations.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

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.

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.

12/2024