Fire Chief

The Fire Chief is expected to oversee the general administrative responsibilities associated with fire and rescue activities within the City of Palmer and Greater Palmer Fire Service Area, as well as correctly and professionally serve as command officer at the scene of emergencies and disasters directing firefighting and rescue personnel.

• Responsibilities involve ensuring the readiness of all personnel and equipment within the areas.
• Work involves the exercise of judgment and discretion in managing the operation of the service area and ensuring the effective performance of personnel at the emergency scene.
• The position requires a combination of firefighting, public entity management, and leadership skills.
• The Chief must have a comprehensive knowledge of current and advanced firefighting tactics, Standard Operating Guidelines, safety procedures, and Incident Command as standardized in the National Incident Management System (NIMS). 
• The Chief must have a thorough knowledge of radio communication and of the geography of the City and Fire Service Area; have extensive knowledge of computer use, including, but not limited to, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and the Internet.
• Demonstrated ability to motivate, lead, and direct the activities of employees and paid-on-call volunteers; ability to maintain cooperative relationships with City officials, borough officials, and the general public.
• Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of the fire service operation and to institute improvements.
• Ability to prepare and review reports.
• Budgeting skills for effective and efficient operations; resourcefulness and sound judgment in emergencies; writing skills and tact.
• The Fire Chief is responsible for ensuring that each firefighter receives the proper training in subject matter mandated by compliance with the State of Alaska Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), including, but not limited to:
  • Department of Public Safety Emergency Response Plan (ERP)
  • Hazard Communication Program
  • Exposure Control Plan
  • Hazardous Materials Awareness program; and
  • Respiratory Protection program.
• The Fire Chief working with the Fire Training Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that all firefighters and rescue technicians are provided with:
  • Policies and programs in printed form, and
  • Training in each of these policies or programs is conducted on an annual basis.
• Fire Chief is also responsible for ensuring that the Standard Operating Guidelines are updated regularly, and that the firefighters and rescue technicians receive annual training covering the Standard Operating Guidelines.
• Fire Chief must have the ability to testify clearly and accurately in court.
• Fire Chief must be characterized by personal and professional integrity.

 

• Provides for and coordinates administrative and operational planning and activities to ensure readiness in responding to rescue, and fire emergencies; oversees drills and training of emergency part-time and paid on-call personnel.
• Supervises any full-time City of Palmer fire employee, as well as part -time and paid on-call volunteers; conducts timely performance evaluations of staff.
• It has the ultimate responsibility for maintaining a variety of district reports and records, e.g., NFIRS, training, equipment, firehose testing, fire hydrant testing, pumper-service testing, ladder service testing and SCBA testing.
• Performs fire service area master planning and pre-fire planning as resources are available.
• Prepares an annual operating budget for the fire service and manages the budget within the guidelines and directives of the City of Palmer.
• Plans and coordinates with other departments and other public safety organizations for mutual assistance; with the City Manager, arranges for mutual assistance agreements.
• Maintains fire and rescue reports and records as they apply to calls for service and to various equipment testing procedures.
• Establishes a program to ensure the City and fire service area maintains or improves their ISO ratings.
• Oversees housekeeping, safety, and repair of emergency services facilities and grounds.
• Responds to major fire/rescue incidents as senior command officer within the fire service; serves as member of the City Incident Management Team as assigned.
• Formulates recommendations for the adoption of new city ordinances or legislation.
• Ensures the maintenance of fire vehicles, apparatus, and any other equipment needed for the operation of the department.
• Prepare periodic and special reports and ensure adequate records are maintained of all department activities.
• Attends civic and school meetings to explain the activities and functions of the fire and rescue services and establishes favorable public relations.
• Formulates policies and regulations governing fire and rescue activities.
• Establish a routine of daily duties to be performed by each department employee.
• Ensures that all members have copies of and are trained in the department's Standard Operating Guidelines, Emergency Response Plan, as well as all other department specific policies, including OSHA compliance policies.
• Investigates all cases of alleged or apparent misconduct by department personnel.
• Maintains a personnel record system in which shall be kept all pertinent information on all departmental members and employees.
• Establishes a training program for all firefighters and fire officers; ensures that accurate and timely training records are maintained.
• Ensures that fire and rescue buildings, policies, practices, and procedures are consistent with the State of Alaska Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) requirements.
• Oversees the City's compliance with the fire services and rescue services contract between the City of Palmer and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. 

• Minimum of two (2) years of college or equivalent in an applicable field of study. AAS in Fire Science preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of fire department experience in management or supervisory capacity in fire services or in a related field such as structure and/or wild land firefighting, rescue, or disaster services. Must be International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (I FSAC) certified to at least the Firefighter II and obtain the Officer I level when that is available and be a State of Alaska approved Instructor II or obtain such certification within twenty-four (24) months of hire, if training is available.
• Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing.
• Must maintain required certifications and obtain ongoing education as may be required. Examples of but not limited to: Firefighter II, Officer I, National Incident Management Systems, Personnel law and policies, Civil Liability, Critical Incident Management in Public Safety, Communication and Public Relations
• Valid Alaska Driver's License.

THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK BEING PERFORMED BY PERSON(S) ASSIGNED TO THIS POSTION. THEY ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL DUTIES, RESPONSIBILTIES AND SKILLS REQUIRED OF PERSONNEL IN THIS POSTION. ALL REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILTIES.