Volunteer Fire Chief Position Description Scandia Fire & Rescue
Volunteer Fire Chief
Position Description
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Performs a variety of technical, administrative, and supervisory duties in planning,
organizing, directing and implementing fire prevention, suppression and emergency
medical services to prevent or minimize the loss of life and property by fire and
emergency medical conditions.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the general guidance and direction of the Mayor and City Council.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Supervises the Department Officers, (Volunteer Assistant Fire Chiefs, Volunteer
Captains, Engineer) and Volunteer Fire Fighters.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Plans, coordinates, supervises and evaluates Fire and EMS operations.
• Establishes policies and procedures for the department in order to implement
directives from the Mayor and City Council.
• Plans and implements Fire and EMS programs for the City in order to better carry
out City policies and goals.
• Maintains policies and supervises the discipline and conduct and general behavior of
supervised personnel.
• Reviews departmental performance and effectiveness; formulates programs or
policies to alleviate deficiencies.
• Supervises and coordinates the preparation and presentation of an annual budget.
Directs the implementation of the Departments' budgets; plans for and reviews
specifications for new or replaced equipment. Controls the expenditure of
departmental appropriations.
• Responds to alarms and may direct activities at the scene of major emergencies.
• Supervises the inspection of buildings and other properties for fire hazards and
enforces fire prevention ordinances.
• Directs and or supervises the operation of departmental in-service training activities.
• Submits monthly reports of the Departments activities and prepares a variety of
other reports as appropriate including the annual report of activities.
• Plans departmental operation and makes recommendations to the Council with
respect to equipment, apparatus, and personnel; supervises the implementation of
such plans.
• Assigns personnel and equipment to such duties and uses as the service requires;
evaluates the need for and recommends the purchase of new equipment and
supplies.
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Volunteer Fire Chief Job Description
Approved by City Council 5/19/09
PERIPHERAL DUTIES
• Meets with elected or appointed officials, other Fire/EMS officials, community and
business representatives and the public on all aspects of the Departments' activities.
• Attends conferences and meetings to keep abreast of current trends in the field;
represents the City Fire/EMS Departments in a variety of local, county, state and
other meetings.
• Performs the duties of command personnel as needed and fulfills obligations during
duty days or duty weeks.
• Serves as a member of various city and department committees.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
• Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.
• Four (4) years prior work experience of a progressively responsible nature in fire
fighting and prevention and emergency medical services.
• Four (4) years supervisory experience. Fire service supervision preferred.
• FFI & FFII State of MN Certified
• First Responder Certified, EMT preferred
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS &ABILTIES
• Thorough knowledge of fire suppression and prevention and emergency medical
services principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment
• Working knowledge of first aid and resuscitation techniques and their application as
demonstrated through State Medical Certification
• Considerable knowledge of applicable laws, ordinances, departmental standard
operating procedures and regulations
• Skill in the operation of listed tools and equipment.
• Ability to train and supervise subordinate personnel
• Ability to perform work requiring good physical condition
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions
• Ability to effectively give and receive verbal and written instructions
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other
employees, supervisors and the public
• Ability to meet the special requirements listed below
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
• Must be eighteen (18) years of age or older at time of hire and residing or employed
within a fifteen minute response time to the City of Scandia Fire Station
• Must possess a valid State Driver's license
• No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal histories within the past seven years
• Ability to read and write the English language
• Ability to meet Departmental physical standards
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Volunteer Fire Chief Job Description
Approved by City Council 5/19/09
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Emergency medical aid unit; fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, and other standard
firefighting equipment, ladders, first aid equipment, radio, pager, personal computer,
phone.
PHYSICAL 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 required to sit; talk or hear;
stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and
reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and
taste or smell.
• The employee must lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or
move up to 100 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color
vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
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.
• Work is performed primarily in office, vehicles, and outdoor settings, in all weather
conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night shifts.
• Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. Individual is exposed
to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering
emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals,
liquid chemicals, solvents and oils.
• The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high,
precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions,
fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and
vibration.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings, and loud at
an emergency scene.
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Volunteer Fire Chief Job Description
Approved by City Council 5/19/09