Deputy Fire Chief

General Definition of Work

Under general direction, provides leadership and direction with the responsibility of performing professional level work in planning, coordinating, monitoring, evaluating and overseeing the operations of emergency medical care while ensuring compliance with applicable statutes and administrative rules; coordinates assigned activities with other Departments and outside agencies, and related work as apparent or assigned. Provides support to the Fire Chief in planning, managing, and overseeing the activities, training, and operations of the Fire Department including emergency medical services, fire suppression, fire prevention, hazardous materials response, disaster preparedness, and related programs, services, and operations. Continuous supervision is exercised over all personnel within the team.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions

• Provides leadership and management including guidance, direction, and motivation to personnel within the department, encompassing both Fire and Advanced Life Support EMS transport services.
• Oversees delivery of Advanced Life Support (ALS) level emergency medical services; Assists in the management of additional Fire Department services and activities including fire suppression, fire prevention, hazardous materials response, disaster preparedness, and related programs, services, and operations.
• Performs duties of HIPPA Compliance Officer, Privacy Act Officer, and Infection Control program administrator.
• Oversees ambulance billing, and serves as liaison and subject matter expert for all ambulance activities and billing.
• Manages Fire Department ambulance licensure requirements and other related certifications in accordance with State and National Registry requirements and maintains records related to certifications.
• Prepares and maintains special reports, letters, proposals, and records on Fire activities; receives and evaluates a variety of documents, reports, electronic Patient Care Report, and statistical information for the Department.
• Ensures all medical equipment on ambulances and fire apparatus are appropriate and in good working order and that medical supplies are at an appropriate inventory level.
• Provides direction to Fire personnel in the administration of the EMS program, along with related training. 
• Provides complex administrative and management support as well as staff assistance to the Fire Chief; directs and conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Explains, justifies, and defends Department programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues; responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Establishes, within Department and City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocates resources accordingly.
• Advances the Department through appropriate training by planning, preparing and presenting EMS educational programs with objectives and content which ensures compliance with State and Department programs and requirements. Oversees and/or records all completed training. 
• Assists in planning, directing, and coordinating, through subordinate level staff, the Fire Department’s work plan; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures; meets with key staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training and assists with career development; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Staffs an ambulance at the Paramedic level as needed, and to conduct periodic evaluations of personnel and assess proficiency.
• Responds to emergency alarms and may assume command of field operations; performs a management role in the direction of assigned personnel and equipment at the scene of emergencies involving fire, all types of accidents, hazardous materials incidents, and life-saving and rescue work.
• Participates in the development and administration of the Department budget; participates in and approves the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitors and approves expenditures and implements budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
• Oversees and controls the purchasing, maintenance, and inventory of all fire related equipment, vehicles, and property including communication equipment, vehicles and related equipment, computer equipment, and safety equipment; manages and supervises the apparatus and equipment maintenance program.
• Participates in managing the development and implementation of Departmental goals, objectives, and priorities for each assigned service area; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Participates on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; represents the Fire Department to other Departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; coordinates assigned activities with those of other Departments and outside agencies and organizations.
• Works closely with other government agencies, neighboring fire departments, EMS providers, hospitals, law enforcement agencies, and other emergency response organizations to integrate and coordinate services throughout the metropolitan region. This involves participating in regional emergency planning committees, mutual aid agreements, and joint training exercises.
• Assists in directing disaster preparedness and other fire prevention programs to minimize the loss of life and property within the community.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of fire prevention and suppression.
• Serves as acting Fire Chief as assigned; acts on behalf of the Fire Chief in the absence of same.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Comprehensive knowledge of fire ground tactics and strategy; emergency incident management, specifically the Incident Command System (ICS); principles of incident safety; automatic and mutual aid agreements; hazardous materials incident management; and confined space and technical rescue techniques; comprehensive knowledge of fire science theory, principles, and practices and their application to a wide variety of emergency service operations including fire suppression, fire prevention, and fire investigation; comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery and the methods and techniques of emergency medical response; thorough knowledge of program development and administration and the preparation and administration of a municipal budget; thorough knowledge of governmental codes, ordinances, and regulations and Civil and Criminal codes as they relate to the functions of the fire Department; ability to exercise sound judgment in emergencies; ability to effectively supervise personnel in fire and emergency situations; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, consultants, vendors, associates and the general public.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with coursework in Fire Administration, Emergency Health Care, Fire Science, Public Administration or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Eight years of experience working as a Fire Officer with at least five years in a supervisory role, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Completion of the Executive Fire Officer Program offered by the National Fire Academy is highly desired.
• Credentialing as a Chief Fire Officer (CFO) through the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) Commission on Professional Credentialing is highly desirable

Physical Requirements

This work requires the regular exertion of up to 10 pounds of force, frequent exertion of up to 25 pounds of force and occasional exertion of over 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, tasting or smelling, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions, frequently requires walking and sitting and occasionally requires standing, climbing or balancing and stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work regularly requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions, frequently requires exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to extreme cold (non-weather), exposure to extreme heat (non-weather), exposure to vibration and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment and occasionally requires wet, humid conditions (non-weather), working near moving mechanical parts, working in high, precarious places, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to the risk of electrical shock, working with explosives and wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus; work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. grounds maintenance, heavy traffic).

Special Requirements (desired)

CPR/First Aid Certification.

Kansas Paramedic Certification.

Fire Investigator

Incident Safety Officer

Certified CPR/First Aid Instructor.

Certified Firefighter I and II.

Certified Fire Officer I and II.

Certified Fire Service Instructor I.

Certified EMS Instructor/Coordinator.

Certified Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

Certified Pediatric Life Support (PALS).

Certified HAZMAT Technician.

Certified HAZMAT Incident Command

ICS 300, 400

Various NWCG or All-Hazards Incident Command Position-Specific Certification

Commercial Driver’s License

Valid driver's license in the State of Kansas.