WA – Assistant Fire Chief – Anacortes Fire Department – Closing: 08​/21​/2026

Assistant Fire Chief

The Anacortes Fire Department is seeking an experienced Assistant Fire Chief to serve as the Assistant Chief of EMS or Operations. This key leadership position provides operational leadership, oversees personnel, training, and daily department activities, and supports the Fire Chief with strategic planning, organizational development, and the continued delivery of exceptional fire and EMS services to the community.

Under the direction of the Fire Chief, the Assistant Fire Chief plans, organizes, and directs the activities of the department to protect life and property through fire suppression, fire prevention, rescue, and emergency medical services. Supervises and evaluates Battalion Chiefs and Lieutenants for general performance. The Assistant Fire Chief may be assigned primary roles in operations, prevention, training, or EMS depending on qualifications and the needs of the department.

• Accomplishes the mission of the AFD under the general guidance of the Fire Chief’s policies, guidelines, and directives.
• Assists in the planning and management of the Fire Department operations.
• Embodies and enforces clear standards for safety, performance, and professional conduct for assigned personnel consistent with department goals and expectations. Prepares performance evaluations for assigned personnel. Works with employees to correct deficiencies. Implement disciplinary procedures as necessary.
• Prepare reports, forms, recommendations, and other required administrative tasks.
• Ability to perform the core tasks and tactical functions of Battalion Chiefs, Lieutenants, and Firefighters.
• Must be familiar with the organization and function of applicable city, county, and state agencies depending on assignment.
• Represents the department with a high level of professionalism in operational and communicative capacity to other departments, agencies, the public, and elected officials. Maintains a positive working relationship with other departments and agencies.
• Serves as part of incident command within the City’s Emergency Operations Center as directed by the Fire Chief.
• Participate in monitoring, supervising, training, and facilitation of re-certification of emergency medical technicians and paramedics, firefighters, and specialized certifications.
• At the scene of any fire or medical emergency and serves as the Incident Commander unless relieved by the senior officer.
• Ensures all work is performed in accordance with all safety policies and procedures, including the protocols for infection control.
• Serves as the department head in the absence of the Fire Chief.

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in an applicable field preferred. Minimum of five years of experience as a career fire officer. A combination of an associate degree and additional experience/qualifications may be substituted for education requirement.

Must possess a valid Washington State driver’s license and satisfactory driving record. Must be certified by the State of Washington in Advanced Life Support (Paramedic) or as a Washington State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and maintain that certification. Must consent to investigation of background and of driving and police record to meet Fire Department standards in those areas. Must have and maintain certification in Emergency Vehicle Incident Prevention (EVIP).

Must have and maintain certification as a Hazardous Materials Incident Commander, Incident Safety Officer, Fire Officer 2, Instructor 1, and IC 300/400.

• Computer skills are sufficient to enter data and generate reports.
• Incident Command System.
• Principles and practices of supervision and training.
• Fire protection work including the principles and practices of modern fire control and prevention.
• Considerable knowledge of the geography of the City and its buildings, street systems, and special areas requiring pre-fire knowledge or special firefighting techniques.

• Plan, schedule, and review the work and performance of others in a manner conducive to proficient performance and high…