Fire Battalion Chief – Department of Fire Careers

Overview

Position Title: Fire Battalion Chief

Company: City Of Albany

Location: Albany, GA

Job Description:

The purpose of this classification is to supervise and direct daily administrative functions and operations of Fire Suppression, Rescue, and any other emergency incident on an assigned shift in order to protect life and property.

Responsibilities:

• Inspects station facilities, grounds, apparatus, equipment, and personnel; inspects, evaluates, and conducts various tests on equipment such as acceptance of new units and pump operations on all fire trucks; determines and justifies departmental equipment and supply requirements.
• Cooperates with federal, state, and local law enforcement/investigating agencies and their officers or representatives when activities are related to investigations within city jurisdiction.
• Responds to emergency calls involving fire, hazardous materials, natural and man made disasters, rescue, and other critical incidents; evaluates conditions at scene and determines strategies and tactics.
• Schedules and conducts shift meetings; attends supervisory meetings, seminars, workshops, and training sessions as appropriate; visits all assigned fire stations routinely.
• Explains, interprets, and enforces departmental operating procedures, policies, and training programs; establishes goals for employees; instructs and directs personnel regarding proper procedures and protocol of the department.
• Coordinates/conducts fire safety inspections, pre-fire surveys, and building inspections; oversees hydrant surveys.
• Prepares work schedules; approves vacation and leave time; adjusts schedules, staffing, and/or authorizes overtime to ensure adequate workforce at all times; disseminates information and special orders.
• Participates in and supervises training activities; observes employees’ abilities, evaluates performance, and reviews levels of training; makes personnel recommendations.
• Identifies dangerous building conditions, electrical emergencies, hazardous materials, and ancillary health hazards; determines need for and method of structure ventilation, entry, evacuation, and extinguishment; ensures appropriate precautions and procedures are followed; participates in firefighting activities.
• Determines cause and point of origin of fires occurring during assigned shift; recognizes/preserves evidence of arson; initiates arson investigations.
• Enforces all city fire codes, ordinances, and fire laws and regulations of the state in order to protect life and property; complies with all rules, orders, and instructions issued by superior officer.
• Maintains knowledge and awareness of applicable laws/regulations, city geography, and current fire, medical, and rescue techniques; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations.
• Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.
• Oversees and directs scheduling of maintenance and repair of fire equipment, vehicles, and station facilities; inspects station, grounds, apparatus, and personnel; ensures adherence to guidelines and regulations.
• Manages and oversees, either personally or through subordinate supervisors, daily activities of personnel engaged in fire suppression, rescue, emergency assistance, and administrative tasks; delegates assignments to, and placement of personnel on assigned shift.
• Performs and directs necessary activities to resolve, downgrade, or terminate emergency incidents and to ensure maximum safety of all persons; ensures optimal deployment and accountability of physical resources; determines need for and requests additional/back-up personnel as appropriate.
• Composes, prepares, reviews, and/or approves a variety of forms, logs, requests, records, reports, correspondence, and other documents associated with the daily responsibilities of this position; maintains administrative records and files; reviews documents processed by subordinates to ensure accuracy; directs preparation and submittal of training records and reports; provides technical assistance as needed.
• Establishes and assumes command at emergency incidents; issues orders/commands during rescue and firefighting operations while maintaining communications with department managers, other agencies, and citizens; relinquishes command to a higher-ranking officer upon his/her arrival; participates in firefighting activities.
• Establishes and maintains positive public relations; answers the telephone, providing information, advice, and guidance, taking and relaying messages and/or directing calls to appropriate personnel and returning calls as necessary; attends community meetings; coordinates/teaches fire safety and prevention programs in the community; responds to questions and requests for information from the news media and general public regarding shift activities; investigates complaints against subordinates.

Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED required; additionally, one (1) year related previous experience and/or training involving secretarial or general office tasks preferred; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. May require possessing and maintaining a valid Georgia driver’s license.
• Must be able to type at least 30 wpm.