Deputy Fire Chief

This is highly responsible administrative and technical work involving the direction, coordination, and oversight of employees and fire department activities as assigned by the Fire Chief. Serves as second-in-command and assumes the duties and responsibilities of the Fire Chief during the Chief's absence or as otherwise designated by the Fire Chief.  This position serves as the Chief EMS Officer. 

The position is responsible for the administration and coordination of assigned department operations and programs, including the supervision, training, and discipline of assigned personnel. The incumbent makes administrative and operational decisions related to emergency services within the authority granted by applicable laws, regulations, department policies, and established procedures.

Work involves planning and directing assigned activities, implementing programs, evaluating operational effectiveness, and ensuring the efficient delivery of fire and emergency medical services. The position requires considerable knowledge of fire and EMS operations, as well as sound judgment, initiative, and discretion in addressing administrative, operational, and emergency situations.

Work is performed with considerable independence in accordance with established policies and procedures, with latitude for the exercise of judgment and discretion. Duties may involve hazardous or strenuous activities and require the ability to make timely, sound decisions under emergency conditions. Performance is reviewed by the Fire Chief through conferences, discussions, observation, and evaluation of results.  This is an exempt, salaried position with a regular administrative work schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The position requires flexibility to work outside of the regular administrative schedule as necessary to meet operational, departmental, and organizational needs.

This position is designated by the Fire Chief as the Fire Chief's administrative assistant pursuant to the Fire and Police Arbitration Act, 11 O.S. Section 51-102.  Accordingly, the Deputy Fire Chief is not a "fire fighter" within the meaning of the Act, is excluded from the collective bargaining unit, and is not covered by the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Chickasha and the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 2041.  Any person accepting this position does so voluntarily and with full knowledge of this exclusion. 

**ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:   **

(The items listed below are not intended to be a complete listing of all essential functions and duties of this position.)

• Regular attendance at work during normal business hours;
• Assume command of all Firefighting/EMS personnel and apparatus at the scene of a major emergency incident or as needed until relieved by the Fire Chief;
• Provides feedback to Chief toward the development of long-range goals, objectives, organizational structure, and overall direction
• Assist in all fire prevention, inspection, and investigation type activities of the department to include CLEET certification;
• Coordinate with the Training Major regarding department training programs and participate in training delivery as assigned;
• Maintains positive working relationships with CFD members and City administration;
• Serves as department’s Community Risk Reduction Officer;
• Coordinate Emergency Management Operations to include, but not limited to: FEMA programs at all governmental levels, grant administration, EM training, hazard mitigation programs;
• Attend conferences, conventions, and other educational meetings to keep abreast of modern firefighting, EMS, inspection, investigative methods and administration;
• Address citizens and civic groups to inform them of the activities of the department;
• Participate in and provide administrative oversight for the recruitment, selection, promotion, and development of department personnel;
• Enforce safety rules and encourage safety application for employees, conforming to safety guidelines set by the City of Chickasha;
• Maintain an awareness of the proper safety procedures and guidelines and apply these in performing daily activities and tasks; and instill such awareness in subordinate personnel;
• Any and all other functions that may be required by the Fire Chief.

EMS ADMINISTRATION AND OVERSIGHT

• Serves as department’s Chief EMS Officer and works in conjunction with the Fire Chief and Medical Director for strategic planning, goal setting, and objectives for the EMS program;
• Ensures appropriate EMS training hours based on assignment are maintained for members of the department;
• Responsible for EMS activities including security and record keeping of all reports and medications;
• Responsible for regulatory compliance;
• Responsible for collecting, reviewing and analyzing EMS data to optimize response, training, and billing. 
• Any and all other functions that may be required by the Fire Chief.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Fire Science, Emergency Management, EMS Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and progressively responsible experience;
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in all phases of firefighting and EMS.  Three (3) years at the rank of Captain or above.
• Knowledge of the fire hazards and fire prevention techniques; good knowledge of the use of fire records and their application to fire prevention and fire protection administration;
• Knowledge of modern principles, practices, techniques, and equipment used in municipal fire administration;
• Knowledge of emergency medical services program;
• Knowledge of equipment and training needed for successful conduct of services;
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of effective supervision as it applies to the fire service;
• Ability to direct and effectively apply good judgment to emergency operations with personnel, equipment, the public, and others under emergency conditions; 
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing to groups and individuals;
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, subordinates, civic and official groups, representatives of cooperating agencies, and the general public;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships and exercise appropriate authority with subordinate personnel;
• Ability to meet such specific physical and certification requirements as may be established by the City or State statutes.
• Knowledge of City geography, street locations, principal buildings, fire hydrants, and water supplies;
• Ability to deal effectively with public and coworkers, using tact and diplomacy;
• Posses and maintain a valid Oklahoma Driver’s License and is insurable.

** ** WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Operate both as a member of a team and independently at incidents of uncertain duration;
• Work is performed both indoors and outdoors and may involve extended exposure to weather conditions; also subject to sitting, standing, walking, or using a telephone for extended periods of time;
• Some local travel required to conduct site visits; may be required to attend local or out-of-town conferences and seminars, etc.;
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, in person and by telephone/radio, in routine and emergency situations.;
• High degree of concentration required to fulfill essential job duties;
• High stress emergency environment; 
• Subject to constant noise of a computer, copying machine, or telephone;
• Must be willing to perform all duties described in this job description under adverse weather conditions, including extreme heat and inclement weather;
• Must be willing to periodically perform standby and callback duties, and be available for call outs during off duty hours;
• Required thirty (30) minutes response time when on assigned callback duties;
• Subject to exposure to grotesque sights and smells associated with major trauma and burn victims;
• Make rapid transitions from rest to near maximal exertion without warm-up periods;
• Operate in environments of high noise, poor visibility, limited mobility, at heights, and in enclosed or confined spaces;
• Rely on speech, as well as sense 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;
• Lift varying weights and carry said weights, without stopping, for various distances;
• Must pass a physical examination, with no restrictions, for the use of a respirator

 This classification is a “safety sensitive” position as defined by the United States Department of Transportation drug and alcohol testing regulations, the Oklahoma Standards for Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Act and/or Oklahoma Medical Marijuana laws.  As a “safety sensitive” classification, you will be subject to drug and alcohol testing, including random testing.  Marijuana is one of the substances included in the drug panel screening.  Possession of a medical marijuana license will not excuse you from the testing process, or the consequences of testing positive for marijuana. 

** ** SUPERVISION:

The Deputy Fire Chief works under the general direction of the Fire Chief and exercises considerable independent judgment in the administration of assigned departmental operations.  The work is reviewed through observation of performance of personnel and equipment, and conferences with the Fire Chief, who reviews work accomplishments primarily in the broad interest of ensuring fire safety and professional emergency medical assistance for the City.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Candidates who are not already in the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System will need to pass the OFPRS physical and medical evaluations prior to employment.