Fire Lieutenant

County of Chester, South Carolina•Chester, SC

About The Position

The Fire Lieutenant is a supervisory role responsible for the day-to-day oversight of an assigned shift and crew. Working under the direction of a Fire Captain, the Lieutenant ensures personnel operate safely and efficiently during emergency responses, training, and station duties. The position provides leadership, accountability, and mentorship to firefighters and helps maintain operational readiness throughout the 48-hour shift. The role includes supervising personnel during emergency and non-emergency activities; maintaining accurate shift, incident, training, and personnel records; conducting briefings and readiness checks; directing emergency-scene response until relieved by a higher-ranking officer; mentoring and evaluating firefighters; coordinating training; enforcing department policies and safety standards; communicating with dispatch, command staff, and mutual aid partners; and overseeing station and apparatus readiness. The position works a 48/96 schedule (48 hours on duty followed by 96 hours off duty). It involves exposure to extreme temperatures and hazardous environments, physically demanding tasks, use of appropriate personal protective equipment, and maintaining physical fitness. Performance is evaluated by the Fire Captain through observation, report review, training outcomes, and overall shift effectiveness.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Minimum of 5 years of firefighting experience.
Valid driver’s license.
IFSAC Fire Instructor 1.
IFSAC Fire Officer I.
NFA Preparation for Initial Company Operations (PICO).
NFA Strategies and Tactics for Initial Company Operations (STICO).
NFA Decision Making for Initial Company Operations (DMICO).
Strong leadership and decision-making abilities under pressure.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to maintain discipline, morale, and high performance within the crew.
Competence in using incident management systems and report-writing software.
Thorough knowledge of department protocols, firefighting strategy and tactics, and emergency-scene safety.
Ability to perform the job’s essential duties satisfactorily, including physically demanding tasks and maintaining physical fitness.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree in Fire Science or a related field.
Prior supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

Supervise and lead assigned personnel during emergency and non-emergency activities.
Ensure daily shift reports, incident reports, training records, and personnel documentation are accurate and submitted in a timely manner.
Conduct daily briefings, equipment checks, and readiness inspections at the start of each shift.
Direct response efforts at emergency scenes until relieved by a higher-ranking officer.
Mentor, evaluate, and provide guidance to firefighters; assist in developing their skills and ensuring adherence to department policies.
Coordinate and conduct regular training drills, inspections, and continuing education.
Enforce station policies, safety standards, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Maintain knowledge of current fire suppression, EMS protocols, rescue techniques, and hazardous materials response.
Communicate effectively with dispatch, command staff, and mutual aid partners during operations.
Oversee station maintenance, apparatus readiness, and cleanliness throughout the shift.