Fire Battalion Chief

Purpose of Classification

The purpose of this classification is to perform complex emergency service and administrative work at a senior command level with responsibility for a broad range of administrative and technical activities and related work as required within an assign Battalion. Work is performed under the broad supervision of the Assistant Fire Chief on a schedule as assigned by the Fire Chief.

* OPEN UNTIL FILLED*

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Conducts supervisory responsibilities in accordance with County policies, procedures, and applicable laws; supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff (battalion), processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, and disciplining; supervises employee training; assists the Chief/Assist. Chiefs with recruitment, selection, appraisal, assignment, and promotion of full-time employees and volunteer personnel;

Prepares records and reports as requested by the Chief/Assist. Chiefs.

Supervises the day-to-day operation of all County fire stations within their battalion; supervises and assists firefighter/First Responders in all aspects of firefighting and emergency medical response; supervises and assists with water rescue, boat rescues, trench rescues, auto extrication, and other rescues.

Conducts, directs, and reviews all cause and origin of all fires in Whitfield County by the use of modern fire investigation techniques and procedures; collects, labels, photographs, and maintains chain of custody of all evidence collected at set or suspicious fires.

Assist in maintaining attendance records on all full-time employees; prepares departmental activity reports, including standard operating guidelines, month end call reports, training reports as requested, and hydrant flow reports.

Provides oversight and coordination of scheduling, selection, evaluation and deployment of the battalion personnel; resolves difficult personnel issues. Provides supervision to shift lieutenants. Coordinates fire prevention inspection and pre-plan activities of the department.

Maintains a working knowledge of fire codes, and ordinances.

Inspects personnel, equipment and stations and maintains discipline. Provides leadership and acts as a mentor for department personnel.

Participates in the planning and implementing of the Department's training programs.

Required to perform shift work in a rotation of days, evenings, and nights including weekends and holidays.

Serves as Incident Commander at all significant fire andHaz-Mat scenes.

Supervises and assists in hydrant flow testing and the maintenance of hydrants.

Supervises and approves pre-incident surveys, inspections, and fire education programs for all commercial and government buildings; conducts fire safety inspections on home care facilities.

Responds to, operates in, or commands emergency incidents as required and/or assigned. Assures appropriate notifications are made as necessary to Chief and Assistant Chief(s), and County Administrator. Coordinates post-incident operations as needed, including post-incident analysis.

Inspects all buildings, apparatus, equipment, stand‑by emergency generators, and grounds at all fire stations to insure they are in good working order at all times; assists in creating and designing plans and specifications for fire stations, training facilities, fire apparatus, and other response vehicles, using all available sources of information for the project to meet the needs of the department and the community it serves;

supervises and maintains the operation of computers used by the department; coordinate maintenance of non-emergency equipment, furnishings, emergency generators, heating and air conditioning systems, and other maintenance tasks.

Speaks effectively to the public and private groups and organizations about fire services; answers questions about the organization.

Operates a computer, calculator, office equipment, firefighting apparatus, breathing apparatus, generators, gas meters, electrician’s tools, medical equipment, hand tools, carpenter’s tools, extrication tools, rescue boats, or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, to include the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, or other system software.

Coordinates/performs a variety of general maintenance tasks, including cleaning offices, painting structures, washing vehicles, repairing computers, making minor electrical and plumbing repairs, repairing equipment and furniture, changing air conditioning filters, adding toner to copier and facsimile machine, and changing ink cartridges in printers.

Runs errands; delivers supplies.

Performs other related duties as required.

High school diploma or GED; six years of…