About Us:
As one of the fastest growing cities in Alberta, the City of Airdrie is a recognized leader in building a vibrant and sustainable community through innovation.
At the City of Airdrie, incredible opportunities happen every day in a flexible work environment that is tailored to each department. Our inclusive culture and values create a workplace where we welcome aspiring, driven and creative individuals to help us accomplish our business and community goals. We are supportive of one another, and we have fun while we serve our community. We are passionate about improving the lives of our residents through care and respect; that is the foundation of our organization. At the City of Airdrie, we learn, grow and accomplish great things together. We’re proud to foster a workplace culture built on dedication, teamwork, and genuine care. Our commitment to creating a positive environment is reflected in our employee feedback from the 2025 Employee Engagement Survey, with 92.8% of employees saying they enjoy their work, and 92.6% feeling equipped with the resources they need to stay safe on the job.
If you have a passion for building a better community and are ready to join the excitement, we’d love to hear from you!
The Opportunity:
At the Airdrie Fire Department, we are more than emergency responders. We are trusted leaders, community partners, and problem-solvers dedicated to protecting and enhancing the quality of life of those we serve. As one of Alberta's fastest-growing communities, Airdrie presents unique opportunities and challenges that require innovation, strong leadership, and a commitment to continuous improvement. We are seeking a Deputy Fire Chief who is passionate about developing people, driving operational excellence, and helping shape the future of a progressive, community-focused fire service.
This senior leadership position supports the Fire Chief and provides strategic and operational leadership across assigned departmental portfolios. Responsibilities include overseeing emergency response, training, fire inspections and investigations, public education, emergency management, health and safety, budgeting, planning, staff development, and continuous improvement.
Operating within a portfolio-based leadership model, the Deputy Fire Chief leads the day-to-day operations of their division while working closely with other Chief Officers to support service delivery, operational readiness, and organizational goals.
This role is focused on fire suppression operations and training as our department continues to grow with the community. With three fire stations, a fourth opening later this year, and more than 100 firefighters, we are seeking a visible, trusted, and adaptable leader who can support staff, engage the community, communicate effectively with Council, the public, media, and stakeholders, and make sound decisions in complex and high-pressure environments.
Successful candidates will have a history of balancing respect for organizational traditions with challenging fire services norms, outdated behaviors, technologies and operational strategies.
Responsibilities include:
- Lead, support, mentor, and develop firefighters, officers, and non-suppression staff
- Manage people, budgets, equipment, and other resources to deliver effective programs and services
- Support departmental planning, data-driven decision-making, performance measurement, and continuous improvement
- Attend emergency scenes as required and assume command roles when appropriate
- Develop and recommend operating and capital budgets, including multi-year planning
- Ensure responsible use of funds through effective budgeting, purchasing, and financial oversight
- Lead and support human resources management, including staff performance, development, mentorship, and workplace culture
- Foster a positive, professional, and safe work environment
- Provide clear direction, communication, and support to staff
- Participate in strategic planning, goal setting, policy development, and organizational initiatives
- Review, revise, and implement policies, procedures, and directives
- Coordinate with internal departments, external agencies, partners, and stakeholder groups
- Prepare and present reports related to master planning, department initiatives, operations, and strategic priorities
- Support emergency management activities, including participation as a Deputy Director of Emergency Management
- Represent the Fire Department professionally with the public, media, Council, labour management groups, and community partners
- Ensure compliance with applicable municipal, provincial, and federal legislation, standards, regulations, and policies
- Participate in on-call responsibilities, meet response time expectations, and maintain residency within the City of Airdrie
You Bring:
- Diploma or degree in a related field, including Business Administration, Leadership, Fire Service Operations, Emergency Management, or a related discipline
- Equivalent post-secondary education, including a combination of certificates, coursework, and professional development, may be considered
- Fire Service certifications: NFPA 1001, 1002, 1021, 1041 considered an asset
- Training and instructional credentials considered an asset
- Professional certifications, accreditations, and specialized training relevant to portfolio responsibilities, including Emergency Management, Safety Codes, and Investigations considered an asset
- Fire Officer credentials or designations considered an asset
- Relevant work experience may be considered as an equivalent to the educational requirements.
- Minimum of ten (10) years related experience
- Including at least five (5) years in a supervisory (management exempt) capacity, with both unionized and non-unionized workforces
- Working knowledge of Microsoft programs such as Word, Excel, SharePoint, PowerPoint and Power BI
- Collective bargaining participation as union, employer representative or both
- Presentation experience with councils, public, and stakeholder groups
- Workplace investigations including injuries, OHS and after-action reporting processes
- Emergency management experience (planning, responding, ECC, IMT etc)
The ideal candidate will possess the following Leadership Attributes:
- Be People Focused: Builds trust, develops others, and fosters a positive, respectful workplace culture
- Be Process Oriented: Ensures consistent, safe, and effective operations through strong systems and accountability
- Have a Growth Mindset: Embraces learning, innovation, and continuous improvement for self and the organization
- Be Adaptable: Responds effectively to changing priorities, challenges, and operational demands
- Be Organized: Plans and manages resources, projects, and priorities efficiently and effectively
- Demonstrate Competence: Demonstrates strong leadership, sound judgment, and expertise in fire service operations
We Offer:
Along with a competitive compensation program and City paid health and dental premiums, this position also includes:
- Excellent health, dental, paramedical, and benefits plan
- First-in-class pension plan
- Career development and tuition reimbursement
- Employee discounts, gym membership, social events, and health & wellness initiatives
Continuous learning through training and development is encouraged as are flexible work arrangements, when possible. We recognize that our people work best when they feel engaged in their environment and appreciated for their efforts and our overall benefits package reflects that.
Additional Information:
This is a full-time position that is expected to work 37.5 hours per week and requires participation in on-call responsibilities. The role may also require attendance at emergency incidents outside of regular business hours. This position includes response time expectations and requires residency within the City of Airdrie.
Please include a cover letter accompanied with your resume.
Next Steps:
Candidates are invited to apply online. We only accept resumes and additional application documents through our online recruitment system. In-person applications, email or other online forms will not be considered.
If you require an accommodation during any part of the application or hiring process, please contact us at [email protected] and we will work with you to meet your needs.
The City of Airdrie is committed to fostering a workplace culture where belonging, equity, accessibility, and diversity are deeply ingrained into all parts of the City, where employees feel they belong, are treated with respect, and where everyone can thrive and contribute to the City’s success.
Postings close at 10:00 PM MT (Mountain Time) on the closing date listed in the posting. We recommend applying as soon as possible as we are not able to accept late applications.
Please review the job competition carefully and be sure to attach any specifically requested documentation in the My Documents section of your application.
Interviewing and hiring may commence prior to the posted closing date.
Thank you for your interest in the City of Airdrie.
