Assistant Chief

City of Whitewater•Whitewater, WI

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Chief is responsible for managerial and administrative planning, organization, and direction of the Whitewater Fire Department’s EMS programs and services. Under the general direction of the Fire & EMS Chief, the Assistant Chief of EMS exercises judgment and discretion to meet departmental objectives and provides administrative and operational oversight of the EMS discipline. The role also performs supervisory, incident-management, operational, fire-suppression, and fire-prevention duties, and serves as EMS Service Director, EMS Infection Control Officer, and EMS Safety Officer. The position requires a flexible, non-traditional schedule that may include regularly scheduled evenings, overnight hours, weekends, and holidays. Hours may vary and include extended shifts, schedule changes with limited notice, and emergency responses outside scheduled hours. The Assistant Chief provides on-call Duty Officer coverage, must be available for prompt emergency response, and serves as backup for unfilled shifts and EMS or fire responses as needed. The employee must reside within 15 miles of the City of Whitewater’s boundaries; candidates not currently meeting this requirement will have a reasonable period after hire to relocate. The Assistant Chief supports personnel management, EMS logistics and purchasing, budgeting and payroll, training, policies and procedures, reporting, and coordination with municipal and external stakeholders. The role may assume incident command in the absence of or at the direction of the Fire Chief. It also includes fill-in EMS response and patient-care work, ambulance and apparatus operation, fire suppression, rescue, and related emergency duties. The position requires substantial physical capability for emergency response, fire suppression, rescue, and patient care. Work takes place indoors and outdoors and may involve fire scenes, emergencies, hazardous materials, infectious agents, extreme weather, confined spaces, high places, traffic, loud noise, and irregular or overnight hours. The Assistant Chief reports to the Fire & EMS Chief.

Requirements

At least 10 years of firefighting experience, including at least five years in an officer or command role (Chief, Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief, Lieutenant, or Captain) in a community fire/rescue department with full-time staff and/or paid-on-call personnel.
Maintain a State of Wisconsin EMT License-Paramedic or obtain it within 24 months.
Qualified driver-operator of all apparatus.
Possess or obtain by hire a valid state driver’s license without a record of suspension or revocation in any state; maintain a current, valid Wisconsin operator’s license and advise the Chief of any suspension, revocation, or additional restrictions.
Experience and completion of Wisconsin Fire I, Fire II, Fire Officer I, Driver Operator Pumper, and Driver Operator Aerial.
Obtain and maintain all state and federal requirements for the officer position.
Obtain ICS 300 and ICS 400 training and complete NIMS 100, 200, 700, and 800 training.
Maintain current CPR certification.
Obtain Fire Inspector I certification within two years.
Knowledge of inspection practices and NFPA 1; emergency medical care procedures and equipment; fire administration practices; firefighting apparatus and equipment operation and maintenance; hazardous materials and combustion properties; fire-prevention codes, ordinances, inspection and investigation; and building construction and maintenance.
Ability to demonstrate firefighting tools and equipment, supervise training and instruction, delegate authority, monitor compliance with policies and procedures, and recommend and support improvements to fire protection and public safety.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with employees, officials, community members, and external stakeholders; prepare and interpret complex communications; analyze and present data; speak publicly; persuade, train, and facilitate in sensitive or difficult situations.
Ability to perform mathematical calculations and interpret basic descriptive statistical reports.
Ability to exercise independent judgment, decisiveness, and creativity; work under pressure; organize work and set priorities; manage time and resources; analyze information and select alternatives; solve practical problems; and respond assertively to emergencies.
Skill operating departmental equipment, including vehicles, medical and first-aid equipment, radios, telephones, and copy machines; working knowledge of basic computer functions, word processing, data processing, and record-keeping systems.
Comply with the Employee Handbook, take an oath of office, and pass a background check, occupational medical examination, and drug screen before hire.
Ability to work independently, manage time, manage multiple projects with broad direction, and use Microsoft Office, Windows, RMS software, and other web-based applications.
Excellent customer service skills.
Must reside within 15 miles of the City of Whitewater’s boundaries, with a reasonable post-hire relocation period for candidates who do not initially meet the requirement.
Must be available to respond promptly to emergencies outside regular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Meet the Department’s physical standards and maintain health and fitness, including the ability to perform strenuous fire suppression, rescue, and patient-care duties; a physical agility test may be required.
Ability to hear and understand radio transmissions; meet job-related vision requirements; coordinate eyes and limbs for skilled movements; and recognize differences in colors, shapes, and textures.
Ability to lift, bend, climb, walk on varied and slippery surfaces, stand or sit for varying periods, drive emergency vehicles, and use hands to handle tools, controls, and writing.
Ability to use a respirator, work in confined spaces, drag, lift, and advance charged fire hoses weighing up to 100 pounds or more, handle firefighting tools and PPE often weighing over 50 pounds, and perform duties in full turnout gear and breathing equipment.
Ability to operate patient movement equipment and lift, carry, or move medical equipment and patients, including removing incapacitated individuals weighing 150 pounds or more from hazardous areas.
Ability to complete EMT physical activities, including entering and exiting an ambulance, carrying equipment and patients over uneven terrain and stairs, and performing continuous chest compressions.
Cannot have an active or current physician-directed medical or physical condition that may hinder performance, judgment, emergency response, direct patient care, or motor vehicle operation.

Nice To Haves

An associate’s degree in Fire Administration or Fire Science is preferred; equivalent experience is also accepted.
Ability to obtain Fire Inspector I certification within two years.

Responsibilities

Acts as EMS Service Director, EMS Infection Control Officer, and EMS Safety Officer, with administrative and operational oversight of the EMS discipline.
Performs Duty Officer responsibilities, including serving as incident commander, and provides on-call Duty Officer coverage.
Assists in formulating and enforcing departmental rules, regulations, goals, policies, and programs.
Assists with personnel management, including hiring, training, counseling, firing, promotion, commendation, and discipline.
Coordinates and manages EMS logistics, purchasing, and supply inventory.
Assists the Fire & EMS Chief with preparing and presenting the EMS budget, Capital Improvement Plan, and Annual Report; coordinates budgeting and payroll practices.
Liaises with billing company representatives, hospital stakeholders, and municipal and government stakeholders on EMS administration and operations.
Reviews and submits EMS patient care reports to support timely and accurate billing and collection.
Performs and supervises fire suppression duties and is available as a fill-in or secondary resource for fire responses.
Supervises submission of weekly ambulatory run sheets and State of Wisconsin WARDS report entries to support accurate billing and monthly EMT payroll.
Oversees fire and emergency operations and delegates authority to other officers as needed or as directed by the Fire & EMS Chief.
Develops standard operating procedures, guidelines, and policies for fire, rescue, and EMS operations, and establishes goals for the EMS discipline and its personnel.
Develops minimum training and technical competency standards for EMS personnel; prepares, implements, and reviews instructional programs.
Reviews EMS activity and operations reports and records, taking appropriate action to ensure effectiveness.
Maintains professional and technical competence and membership in professional organizations; attends educational opportunities and meetings to stay current with EMS practices.
Organizes and operates within the NIMS Incident Command System and trains department personnel in its use.
Maintains cooperative relationships with fire and EMS departments and agencies at all levels of government.
Responds to requests from city council and township boards as assigned and attends joint police and fire commission meetings and requested city or town board meetings.
Provides backup for unfilled 24-hour or other shifts and adjusts regular working hours to provide coverage.
Examines and evaluates patients, provides emergency care and basic life support, gathers patient data, documents care, protects patient confidentiality and rights, and transports patients according to policy.
Maintains a safe, clean, and stocked patient-care environment; restocks ambulances, washes vehicles, and reports vehicle maintenance needs.
Operates and drives ambulances and other apparatus as qualified and certified, following safety policies and laws.
Protects citizens during emergencies; performs rescues; responds to vehicle accidents, lift assists, and other calls; and mitigates chemical spills.
Assists with training department members as qualified and assigned, attends department training and meetings, and meets expectations for training, public education, and other on-duty events.
Participates in organizational committees and maintains confidentiality in all aspects of the job.
Assists the Public Information Officer with media relations and press releases.
Attends conferences and meetings and represents the Department at local, county, state, and national meetings with the Fire & EMS Chief’s approval.
In the absence of or at the direction of the Fire Chief, assumes incident command of Department operations at fires and emergencies, responds to fire calls during the normal workday and EMS calls as required, and delegates authority as appropriate.
Performs other assigned duties and responsibilities required by city ordinances and Wisconsin Statutes.