POSITION SUMMARY
Reporting to the Manager of Protective Services/ Fire Chief, the Deputy Fire Chief provides a wide range of emergency management services for the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass. The Deputy Fire Chief is responsible for providing excellent leadership for a progressive department of paid on-call personnel. Assisting the Fire Chief with the overall organization, coordination, and operational direction of the department, the Deputy Fire Chief will proactively seek opportunities to improve departmental efficiencies and service levels, providing expertise in incident management, emergency response planning and general administration of the department.
This is a permanent full-time out of scope position.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assists with the development of safe and effective emergency response strategies and systems for the Municipality.
- Provides incident command for emergencies and actively participates in the on-call rotation as required. Incident command shifts alternate with the Fire Chief and Fire Officers, during or after normal working hours.
- Provides leadership and guidance to the Training Officer, ensuring a high-quality training program is effective and sufficient, adequately preparing responders for a variety of emergencies. Where appropriate, provide training records to Human Resources for personnel files.
- Performs fire inspections and investigations.
- Performs public education and public relations activities.
- Assumes local incident command for situations requiring the Emergency Coordination Centre to be activated.
- Ensures training records are documented and maintained.
- Leads the firefighter recruitment process and makes recommendations for selection of personnel.
- Ensures detailed records are kept for all maintenance functions. Ensures all processes pertaining to the operation and maintenance of the department’s vehicle fleet and equipment are followed to ensure all apparatus and equipment are maintained in a ready state for response.
- Proficiently uses fire related and office software such as FirePro, Microsoft Office, and Excel.
- Develops pre-incident plans.
- Ensures compliance with provincial and corporate OH&S legislation and policies.
- Assists with the preparation of department budgets and assists the Fire Chief in ensuring that the department remains within budget.
- Conducts annual and ongoing performance appraisals for personnel under their supervision.
- Provide back up and coverage in the Fire Chief’s absence, supporting Fire Rescue, Community Peace Officer and Environmental Programs.
- Performs other related duties as required and assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS
- In-depth knowledge of the National Fire Code- Alberta Edition, National Building Code- Alberta Edition, NFPA, OHS regulations, and other applicable regulatory governances.
- Ability to generate a successful program for the recruitment and retention of suitable candidates for positions on the Fire Rescue department.
- Proven ability in incident management, emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery responsibilities.
- Highly motivated with the ability to problem solve and think analytically.
- Ability to resolve workplace conflicts effectively.
- Effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare detail-oriented reports.
- Time and project management experience.
- A forward thinking, inspirational and positive leader, invoking strong morale with supervisors, peers, membership and the general public.
- Build and maintain professional working relationships utilizing excellent communication and strong interpersonal skills.
- Knowledge of the Municipal Government Act would be an asset.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
The position requires the following qualifications:
- NFPA 1001 Level I and II (IFSAC or Pro-board)
- NFPA 1002 (IFSAC or Pro-board)
- NFPA 1021 Level I Fire Officer (IFSAC or Pro-board-NFPA 1021 Level II preferred)
- NFPA 1041 Level II Fire Service Instructor (Pro-board or IFSAC certified)
- NFPA 1031 Fire Inspector Level I (IFSAC or Pro-Board-NFPA 1031 Level II preferred)
- NFPA 1033 Fire Investigator Level II (IFSAC or Pro-Board)
- Certified Safety Codes Officer in the Fire Discipline
- ICS 200
- Wildland 215 Urban Interface
- EOC/ECC training and experience
- Class 3 Driver’s License with air (Q) endorsement
INDEPENDENCE AND SCOPE OF IMPACT
Decisions and problems are dynamic and varied, requiring the Deputy Fire Chief to use considerable judgement and discretion. The incumbent may be required to develop policies and discover efficiencies that increase efficiencies in productivities.
CONTACTS
Internal – Regular contacts are maintained with other Municipal departments, Peace Officers, Environmental Services, community groups, residents and Council.
External – Regular contacts are maintained with the public, business owners, industry partners, law firms, Livingstone School Division, RCMP, Provincial Court, Fish and Wildlife, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, SPCA, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, Sheriffs, Conservation Officers, BearSmart, and other government agencies. This will involve the exchange of information, interpretation, and instruction including handling specialized or difficult complaints and resolving problems by obtaining or presenting detailed information.
SUPERVISION
Supervisory responsibilities are a regular part of the job which includes planning, assigning and reviewing the work of those supervised.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The work is performed both indoors and outdoors. Indoor work is typically performed in an office environment involving periods of sitting, good lighting, temperature control, and noise control. Outdoor work is performed in all weather conditions including extreme cold, heat, wind, mud, dirt, dust, noise and traffic.
There may be exposure to verbally abusive, or dangerous individuals, both in the community or on a Provincial highway, with the requirement to attend emergency scenes with unsettling images and provide initial emergency first aid. There may be exposure to bodily fluids and other infectious disease. PPE is provided.
Schedule
Standard hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm with the requirement to work outside these hours often. Participation in the on-call rotation, and attendance evening training practice with the membership once a week or as required.
