Deputy Hazmat Chief

Fire Hazmat Response Specialist

Reporting directly to the Fire Marshal, responsible for responding to emergency calls that involve fire, hazardous materials, technical response, and emergency operations center needs. Serves as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Hazardous Materials (Haz Mat) responses. Performs advanced technical investigative work conducting and coordinating investigations into fires/explosives, weapons of mass destruction, hazardous materials incidents, environmental crimes, public nuisance, and other criminal violations of laws and regulations in unincorporated areas of Williamson County and within municipalities when requested, as well as performs fire inspections.

Oversees the County Haz Mat program and equipment (this is not a staffed Haz Mat team responses program).

• Responds to all County Haz Mat team call outs and provides 24/7 (SME) assistance to the incident commander
• Maintains all Hazmat contracts and inventory lists and creates an equipment replacement program for all Haz Mat needs
• Provides staff development, coaching, mentoring, and positive reinforcement
• Provides direction and guidance to outside Fire Department staff during emergency hazmat calls, as necessary
• Ensures the maintenance and renewal of employee certifications and department training facility certifications
• Develops measurement tools and data collection methods to assess special operations, focusing on continuous performance improvement
• Develops, coordinates, and assists with special operations training for the region
• Assists in developing a Haz Mat education schedule and tracks training hours
• Assists in the maintenance of the continuation education program for Williamson County Haz Mat Operations
• Serves as an educational resource for county emergency service groups
• Updates the standard operating procedures in coordination with other team members
• Serves as liaison to regional response groups
• Conducts regular inventory of all county Haz Mat vehicles, trailers, gear and equipment
• Works with the Fire Marshal and regional response teams to evaluate and improve first responder and staff proficiency
• Coordinates and maintains all Haz Mat equipment
• Researches, evaluates, tests, and implements new equipment for the department
• Identifies areas requiring improvement using standard quality improvement (QI) techniques
• Shares QI data, analyses, and process improvement strategies with all staff
• Researches and proposes grant equipment through Homeland Security Task Force
• Ensures our division meets all National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) requirements for the Haz Mat program
• Assists the Fire Marshal with inspections/code enforcement and fire investigations, as needed
• Assists the Fire Marshal with long range budget and system planning
• Assists in maintaining the budgets for Haz Mat operational and training expenses
• Processes purchases and documents expenditures
• Attends all drills, training, and meetings, as required
• Performs special duties as assigned

Organization Relationships

• Reports directly to – Fire Marshal
• Direct Reports – Yes

Physical Demands

• Ability to assess emergency scenes and must be able to handle extreme stress in crisis situations.
• Position involves prolonged sitting at a workstation, reaching, walking, twisting, bending, repetitive motions, and standing
• Position involves occasional lifting and carrying of up to fifty (50) pounds and exertion of up to twenty-five (25) pounds of force to move objects
• Position involves occasionally lifting and carrying up to one hundred and fifty (150) pounds with assistance (i.e. training dummies, chlorine kits, training props)
• Position involves safely operating a motor vehicle and emergency equipment under normal and emergency conditions without any equipment modifications specific to any individual operator

Environmental Factors

• May be required to work in inclement weather, including extreme heat, cold, and wet conditions
• May be exposed to personal and environmentally hazardous conditions

Irregular Hours

• Work outside of the normal office hours (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) may be required
• Essential personnel for emergency…