Chief of Fire and EMS

Job Summary:

The Chief of Fire and EMS is responsible for all operational and administrative aspects of Fire, EMS and Emergency Preparedness / Management. The chief performs complex administrative work in development and application of policy designed to facilitate efficient and effective protection of lives and property. The incumbent oversees and coordinates operations of both career and volunteer services in the best interest of the citizens and responds to emergencies as required.

Key Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

• Always do the right thing.
• Promotes the vision, mission and values of the County.
• Ensures development and implementation of a comprehensive plan for recruiting, retaining and growing the volunteer personnel.
• Oversees daily operations of emergency services personnel.
• Develops and maintains positive working relationships and liaisons with all volunteer fire and rescue agencies in conjunction with career staff.
• Responsible for coordinating with local, state and federal organizations, including but not limited to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Virginia Department of Fire Programs, Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services.
• Develops, justifies and implements operational and capital budget outlay for all public safety / emergency services activities.
• Serves as the overall director of Fire and EMS services for the County to provide these services Countywide.
• Serves as Emergency Services Coordinator in major emergencies. Delegates authority as required within the NIMS and ICS frameworks.
• Works with the Board of Supervisors, administration and any officially designated boards, teams, commissions or committees to develop goals and objectives for the provision of a comprehensive system of emergency services.
• Develops, directs and implements policies and procedures for the administration of Countywide emergency services in support of such goals and objectives and subject to review by the Fire and EMS Commission and/or Board of Supervisors, implements such policies and procedures.
• Ensures development and maintenance of a Countywide training program designed to meet goals and objectives established by the Fire and EMS Commission and/or Board of Supervisors.
• Ensures development, maintenance, and reporting of detailed response data for both career and volunteer agencies.
• Develops, maintains, and exercises the County’s Emergency Operations Plan.
• Develops and maintains the County’s Hazardous Materials Response Plan.
• Coordinates with all departments, agencies, and groups required to prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies of any size and nature.
• Coordinates with the Botetourt County Emergency Communications Center / Sheriff’s Department and others as required to ensure comprehensive local and mutual aid communications required to achieve goals and objectives.
• Coordinates as required with the Botetourt County Communications Center / Sheriff’s Department to maintain and activate the County’s Emergency Citizen Alert System
• Oversees, manages and maintains County public safety communications equipment including radio system.
• Coordinates with all applicable agencies, groups, teams and other organizations to ensure local, regional and state coordination of matters related to public safety.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Ensures maintenance of records and timely submission of reports required by local, state and federal authorities.
• Seeks grant opportunities in support of established goals and objectives; prepares and administers such grants in compliance with requirements.
• Administers all emergency services related fees for service programs.
• Develops, maintains and implements a system for education of the general public promoting emergency preparedness.
• Makes public presentations as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Emergency Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, preferred; Associates degree in Fire Science, Emergency Management, Public Administration, Business Administration or related advanced education in the Fire/EMS or emergency management fields,
• Demonstrated upward mobility with at least ten years of professional experience in fire protection, emergency management, or emergency medical services.
• Field response and incident command experience is required.
• Extensive knowledge of all fire, rescue and emergency services; experience working with combination volunteer/career systems and the public required
• Must possess solid knowledge of State, federal, and private grant application processes; CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch); EMD (Emergency Medical Dispatch); public safety communications systems and principles; and State and Federal Fire and EMS regulations.
• Ability to manage complex tasks and multiple projects simultaneously, and to work well with the public, co-workers, and superiors.
• Must have exceptional management, coordination, analytical and collaboration skills.
• Ability to communicate complex concepts in both written and oral format, including ability to give exceptional public presentations.
• Ability to develop and maintain accurate records and articulate findings clearly in reports
• Ability to interact with and positively motivate both volunteer and career personnel in a variety of situations.
• Must be NIMS compliant to Emergency Manager / Command level within 12 months of employment.
• Skilled in time management, delegation and project management skills
• Proficiency with the use of Microsoft Office Suite of programs.
• Must be able to pass a comprehensive physical examination, including drug/alcohol, sight, and hearing tests.
• Must be able to perform all fire and EMS related physical tasks such as lifting and moving of patients and strenuous physical tasks associated with firefighting.
• During tenure of employment, must maintain physical condition which allows completion of job requirements.

Physical Demands/Special Work Environment:   

• Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
• Required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading and data input.
• Worker must be able to remain at workstation in a stationary position for up to 50% of the time.
• The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to attend meetings; access files, office machines; to interact with County employees.
• The person in this position frequently communicates and exchanges information with professional colleagues, representatives of other public agencies, the public, and other team members.
• Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Frequently works in outside environmental conditions, extreme cold, extreme heat, hazards and atmospheric conditions.
• The person is this position frequently moves or traverses' uneven terrain, active construction sites, and wet, snow- or ice-covered surfaces.

Reports to: County Administrator

Supervisory Responsibility: Deputy Chief(s), Asst. Chief(s), Emergency Manager, and Asst. to the Chief.

Residency Requirement: Must maintain primary residence within the geographic boundaries of Botetourt County within eighteen (18) months of hire.

Botetourt County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.