Division Chief - EMS

Job Summary

Under general supervision of the Operations Deputy Chief, directs, develops, coordinates, administers, and evaluates the San Juan County Fire & Rescue Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Program. Provides department-wide leadership for EMS system development, medical direction, quality assurance and improvement, regulatory compliance, operational readiness, resource management, interagency coordination, and continuous system improvement.

Develops EMS program priorities, policies, guidelines, standards, and performance objectives and coordinates their implementation through the Department's established organizational structure. Provides EMS program direction, technical guidance, and subject-matter expertise to Department personnel while maintaining established supervisory and operational chains of command. Advises Department leadership regarding EMS system performance, clinical trends, regulatory requirements, operational issues, resource needs, and opportunities for system improvement.

Serves as a sworn chief officer and maintains appropriate fire, EMS, and incident management capabilities. Responds to emergency incidents, providing command, coordination, technical, or incident management support consistent with Department needs and individual qualifications. ## Education and Experience Requirements - High school diploma or equivalent. - Eight (8) years of progressive experience in Firefighting or Emergency Medical Services including two (2) years of supervisory experience - Five (5) years of experience as an Advanced Life Support Provider. - ICS 100, 200, 300, 700, 800 or ability to acquire certification within one (1) year of hire date. - Valid State of New Mexico driver's license. - Current State of New Mexico EMS Paramedic licensure, including ACLS, PALS, CPR, or ability to obtain by date of hire. - Demonstrated experience in EMS operations, program administration, quality assurance/quality improvement, medical direction, regulatory compliance, or comparable EMS program responsibilities. - IFSAC or Pro Board Firefighter 1 preferred. ## Environmental Factors and Conditions/Physical Requirements - Work is performed in an office and outdoors in varied weather conditions; requires physical exertion under vigorous and unusual conditions. May be subject to cuts, bruises, scrapes, burns, broken bones, insect and animal bites, germs, bacteria, viruses, environmental allergens, gases and fumes. May be subject to exposure to CRT's and VDT's. May be subject to life threatening situations; involves the potential for exposure to high stress levels. - May be subject to bending, reaching, kneeling, crawling, and lift in excess of seventy-five (75) pounds. - Full-time work hours for this position consists of rotating shifts, nights, weekends, overtime, and responds to emergency calls as requirements for the operations of this department. - Position frequently requires travel. - May be exposed to various firefighting agents and other risks inherent to rescue, EMS and firefighting. - Work schedule for this position may include working on religious holidays. - Utilize, process, and navigate the County's electronic ERP system as necessary and appropriate based on the needs and requirements of this position. ## Essential Job Functions - Directs, develops, administers, coordinates, and evaluates the Department's EMS Program, including short- and long-range goals, priorities, objectives, policies, procedures, guidelines, and performance standards. - Evaluates EMS program effectiveness and develops recommendations to improve clinical care, operational capability, regulatory compliance, system reliability, and service delivery. - Advises Department leadership regarding EMS system performance, program needs, regulatory changes, clinical trends, operational concerns, resource needs, and recommended improvements. - Serves as the Department's primary liaison with the EMS Medical Director(s) and works with Medical Direction to develop, maintain, evaluate, and implement EMS clinical guidelines, protocols, policies, procedures, and standards. - Directs and administers the Department's EMS Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement program, including review and evaluation of EMS incident and patient care documentation for quality, completeness, clinical performance, regulatory compliance, and system improvement. - Monitors clinical and operational performance, identifies trends or deficiencies, and develops appropriate improvement strategies. Identifies EMS competency or performance needs and coordinates identified needs with the Training Division. - Directs and monitors Department compliance with applicable federal, state, and local EMS laws, regulations, certification requirements, reporting requirements, and standards. - Coordinates with the New Mexico EMS Bureau and other regulatory agencies regarding EMS operations, certification, compliance, reporting, and required documentation. - Oversees compliance with applicable New Mexico Board of Pharmacy requirements related to Department medications, including acquisition, storage, security, accountability, and distribution. - Oversees Department AED program compliance with applicable requirements. - Administers applicable EMS Fund Act applications, reporting requirements, documentation, and related program responsibilities. - Develops and administers the EMS program budget and recommends funding, equipment, and resource priorities. - Oversees EMS equipment, medications, and supplies, including acquisition, inventory, accountability, distribution, replacement planning, standardization, and operational readiness. - Coordinates with vendors, service providers, County departments, and other appropriate entities regarding EMS equipment, supplies, services, and program needs. - Evaluates Department-wide EMS operational readiness and identifies deficiencies or improvement needs involving equipment, supplies, clinical systems, response practices, policies, or program capabilities. - Establishes EMS program priorities and provides program direction and technical guidance to Department personnel supporting EMS functions. - Coordinates with the Response Division Chief and SAM Captains regarding field EMS operations, program implementation, clinical and operational concerns, quality improvement, equipment and supply readiness, and EMS system initiatives. - Utilizes SAM Captains and other Department personnel to support EMS program activities through the Department's established chain of command. - Coordinates with the Training Division regarding EMS competency needs, regulatory requirements, quality-improvement findings, clinical trends, changes in clinical practice, new equipment, and other EMS matters requiring training or professional development. Provides EMS subject-matter expertise and technical support as necessary. - Collects, monitors, and evaluates EMS data and system performance to identify trends, measure program effectiveness, support operational and strategic decision-making, and develop recommendations for system improvement. - Identifies and develops opportunities for EMS program improvement, partnerships, technology, funding, equipment, and enhanced service delivery. - Coordinates and maintains working relationships with area EMS providers, hospitals, Medical Directors, healthcare organizations, the New Mexico EMS Bureau, and other local, tribal, state, federal, and regional partners. - Coordinates EMS standby requirements with appropriate Department personnel and partner agencies. - Responds to emergency calls and significant or complex EMS incidents as appropriate, providing clinical, operational, command, coordination, or technical support consistent with qualifications and incident needs. - Maintains sufficient fire, rescue, EMS, and incident management competency to function as a sworn chief officer at all-hazard emergency incidents and performs appropriate command or incident management functions consistent with qualifications and Department needs. - Performs other related duties as assigned.