Site Fire Chief

Rural Metro Fire•Desoto, KS

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Site Fire Chief provides leadership, operational command, and administrative management for Rural Metro Fire emergency services at the Panasonic industrial facility in De Soto, Kansas. The Chief oversees personnel readiness, service delivery, client coordination, training, emergency response planning, equipment and station readiness, and compliance with the approved RMF/client scope of work. The role reports through RMF management and is the primary onsite RMF representative to the client. The Chief leads and evaluates assigned personnel and Captains; oversees staffing, scheduling, timekeeping, leave coverage, recruiting, onboarding, and personnel development; manages the site operating budget and RMF resources; and ensures compliance with laws, RMF policies, client requirements, emergency plans, and contract deliverables. The Chief leads or designates incident command for authorized emergency responses and maintains response procedures, accountability, communications, pre-incident plans, facility access and evacuation interfaces, and mutual aid coordination. The role also oversees the readiness and maintenance of apparatus, facilities, PPE, SCBA, monitoring equipment, and other assigned equipment. The Chief establishes training and competency programs, verifies credentials and medical clearances, plans and evaluates drills and exercises, leads after-action reviews, and oversees assigned inspections, hazard surveys, prevention education, and pre-incident plan updates. The Chief serves as the operational contact for authorized Panasonic representatives, coordinates with facility and external partners, prepares required reports and records, and recommends solutions for emerging hazards, resource needs, and operational deficiencies. This is a full-time, safety-sensitive role with 12-hour shifts. It requires availability for emergency response, major incidents, exercises, and occasional travel for training or RMF business. The position is performed at an operating industrial site and may involve walking long distances, climbing stairs, and working around noise and heat. For interior firefighting or other strenuous tactical duties, the employee must maintain the required medical clearance, fitness, PPE/SCBA qualification, and role-specific training. The role is subject to applicable drug and alcohol rules and confidentiality requirements.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED; a bachelor’s degree in fire science, emergency management, public administration, management, or a related field; at least 10 years of progressively responsible related experience; or an equivalent combination.
Documented Chief Officer or comparable senior emergency services leadership experience managing a fire/EMS response organization and first-line supervisors.
Firefighter I and II credentials (NFPA 1010 or accepted legacy NFPA 1001 equivalent).
Fire Officer I and II credentials (NFPA 1020 or accepted legacy NFPA 1021 equivalent).
Hazardous Materials Operations qualification consistent with NFPA 470 or a recognized predecessor standard.
Documented industrial emergency response competency consistent with assigned NFPA 600/NFPA 1081 functions.
Completed NIMS/ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800 training or an RMF-accepted equivalent, with demonstrated incident-command proficiency.
Valid driver’s license and eligibility to drive assigned vehicles.
Ability to satisfy RMF/client employment screening and job-related medical requirements.
Demonstrated competence in emergency plans, labor scheduling, employee coaching, budgeting, documentation, client relationships, and applicable regulatory requirements.
Ability, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform essential management and incident-command duties at an operating industrial site, including walking long distances, climbing stairs, working around noise and heat, and remaining alert during extended incidents.
For assigned interior firefighting or other strenuous tactical activities, ability to maintain medical clearance, fitness, PPE/SCBA qualification, and all role-specific training required by RMF and applicable law.
Availability for emergency response, major incidents, exercises, and occasional travel for training or RMF business.
Ability to comply with applicable safety-sensitive drug and alcohol rules and maintain confidentiality of personnel, medical, operational, and client information.

Nice To Haves

Fire Officer III.
Fire Instructor I or higher.
Live Fire Instructor.
Fire Inspector I.
Advanced industrial fire brigade leadership training.
Current Kansas EMT certification when the Chief will personally provide patient care; otherwise, an EMT credential is preferred.
Hazardous Materials Technician qualification.
Technical rescue qualifications.
Emergency management planning experience.
Experience with large industrial or battery manufacturing facilities.

Responsibilities

Lead, coach, supervise, and evaluate assigned personnel and Captains; set expectations, accountability, succession development, and a unified departmental culture across shifts.
Develop and oversee duty rosters, minimum staffing compliance, payroll and timekeeping accuracy, leave coverage, attendance, recruiting, and onboarding; report staffing or qualification shortfalls.
Manage the site operating budget and RMF resources, and coordinate requested service additions or changes through authorized RMF and client representatives.
Ensure compliance with applicable laws, RMF policies, client safety and security requirements, emergency response plans, and contract deliverables; investigate concerns and track corrective actions to closure.
Lead incident command, or designate command when appropriate, for fires, emergency medical incidents, hazardous materials releases, and other events within authorized response capabilities.
Maintain incident command procedures, personnel accountability, emergency communications, pre-incident plans, tactical guidelines, facility access plans, evacuation interfaces, and mutual aid coordination.
Oversee the condition, testing, maintenance, and operational status of apparatus, station facilities, PPE, SCBA, monitoring equipment, and other assigned equipment; remove unsafe equipment from service and ensure follow-up.
Coordinate familiarization with facility processes and hazards, including battery manufacturing and storage hazards, high-energy electrical systems, process utilities, hazardous chemicals, and installed fire protection systems as applicable.
Establish and document an annual training and competency program consistent with assigned response functions, NFPA/OSHA requirements, RMF policies, and the approved client scope.
Ensure timely credential and EMS certification verification, medical and respiratory clearance, driver qualifications, performance evaluations, and remedial training where required.
Plan and evaluate response exercises, facility drills, and multi-agency coordination; lead after-action reviews and translate findings into corrective actions.
Oversee assigned safety inspections, fire protection system familiarization, hazard surveys, prevention education, and pre-incident plan updates without assuming regulatory enforcement authority unless separately granted.
Serve as the primary RMF operational contact for authorized Panasonic representatives and coordinate with facility EHS, security, maintenance, emergency management, contractors, and external responders.
Prepare and review incident reports, monthly performance reports, annual summary reports, inspection and training records, staffing reports, and other assigned client/RMF deliverables.
Identify emerging hazards, resource needs, operational deficiencies, and service opportunities; recommend documented solutions to RMF leadership and the client.