Deputy Fire Chief

Under the direction of the Fire Chief, the Deputy Fire Chief is responsible for the day-to-day management and administration of the Midland Fire Department and Emergency Planning operations in alignment with departmental and corporate strategic direction; key areas of accountability for a composite department include providing leadership to emergency response, training, equipment, vehicle and station maintenance, fire prevention and public education, and emergency planning. The Deputy Fire Chief is responsible for the role of Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC).

Duties & Responsibilities

Fire and Emergency Planning and Response

• Direct the development and update of Town fire training, prevention, and inspection standards in accordance with the Fire Code, OFM guidelines and accepted fire prevention/inspection principles and contemporary best practices.
• Oversee the development and implementation of the Fire Department’s Training Program ensuring that all training is documented, and records are entered into the Fire Department’s data management system.
• Organize training for Emergency Control Group staff.
• Perform duties of the CEMC.
• Coordinate the preparation of Fire Master Plans and prepare longer-term and annual business plans necessary for assuring adequate and timely emergency response coverage and accommodating growth.
• Assist with Terms of Reference and the preparation of tender documents and associated evaluative criteria and make recommendations on the hiring of suppliers/consultants to provide fire-related vehicles/equipment/services.
• Supervise fire suppression/emergency response and communications operations; will support or may need to assume command at major incidents.
• Assist the Fire Marshal’s Office with fire investigations; ensure appropriate reporting and follow-up to incidents.
• Monitor and liaise with the County on ambulance services.

Community Outreach and Education

• Oversee the development and delivery of Fire Prevention and Public Education Programs throughout the community ensuring special/high risk groups are identified and programs/measures are in place to promote fire safety and evacuation.
• Respond to inquiries from and/or liaise with the general public, residents, property owners, community/school/business groups, development/building communities, other emergency services providers, internal divisions/departments, the media, elected officials, other governments/agencies including the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office and neighboring municipalities, etc. on fire and emergency response, prevention, emergency planning/preparedness, and other fire-related matters.
• Oversee fire-related plans review and approvals related to new/redevelopment.

Regulatory Responsibility

• In the absence of the Chief, perform the statutory duties of Fire Chief under the Fire Protection & Prevention Act.
• Provide expert witness and other testimony as may be required at inquests or with court and/or other judicial proceedings.
• Assist with preparing reports/recommendations and attend as required Council, Council/Committee, community and other public meetings and events as required; make presentations and provide advice/guidance on fire protection, fire prevention, inspections, communications and other fire-related issues and strategies and new or pending legislation and regulatory guidelines.
• Regularly review, assess and report on departmental measures and performance required under the Provincial Municipal Performance Measurement Program (MPMP); and devise and recommend strategies for performance enhancement.
• Maintain the Emergency Operations Centre, materials and equipment, and submit all documentation to the OFMEM for annual compliance under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

Department Leadership

• Plan, develop, and implement departmental goals, objectives, policies, and procedures; review and evaluate work methods and procedures for improving organizational performance, enhancing services, and meeting goals; ensure that goals are achieved.
• Ensure proper and effective staffing through recruitment and selection, learning and development processes, as well as provide direct supervision, mentoring, coaching and development of staff.
• Evaluate the performance of and provide training and development opportunities for staff.
• Manage and coordinate the professional services that are purchased by the Department including independent contractors and service providers.
• Develop and have full responsibility for administration of the assigned budget(s).
• Work in compliance with, and ensure staff are knowledgeable of and in compliance with, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, WHMIS, applicable legislation, regulations, statutes, departmental policies/procedures/practices, operational guidelines, and performs safe work practices.

Team Member

• Work as a team player promoting a positive and professional work environment and conduct role with integrity and respect.
• Act as an Ambassador throughout the community, positively representing the Town.
• Abide by the policies and procedures of the Town.
• Abide by the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and work in a manner that is safe, reporting incidents immediately to direct supervisor.
• Perform other duties as assigned in order to meet the overall goals and objectives of the Town.
• Operate within the culture and core values of the organization.
• Maintain knowledge and expertise in relevant fields.
• Diploma in Fire Protection Engineering or related discipline accompanied by post-graduate studies in Business and/or Public Administration and Management studies.
• Possess a NFPA 1021, Fire Officer III certification. Higher officer qualifications are considered an asset or Company Officer Diploma or equivalent from the Ontario Fire College or an acceptable educational institution.
• Possess the following certifications:
  • NFPA 1521, Incident Safety Officer or willing to obtain within one (1) year of employment.
  • NFPA 1001 Level I and Level II, Firefighter Training.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience as either Chief, Deputy, Platoon Chief, Fire Prevention Officer or Captain, including ten (10) years in a Fire Department and experience in a unionized Fire environment.
• Class DZ Driver's License in good standing.
• The following certifications and training courses are considered assets:
  • NFPA 1031, Fire Inspector Level I.
  • NFPA 1035, Fire and Life Safety Educator.
  • NFPA 472/1072, Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations.
  • NFPA 1033, Fire Investigator.
  • NFPA 1041, Fire Service Instructor.
  • Executive Certificate in Fire Service Management.
  • Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC) certification.
  • Blue Card Command or Effective Command training.
  • Mental Health Awareness Training.
  • Media training and experience.

Thorough working knowledge of the Fire Protection & Prevention Act, Fire Inspection and other legislation/regulations related to the operation of a Fire Department, OFM/NFPA standards/guidelines and contemporary issues facing the Fire Service in Ontario, municipal government, Emergency Planning/Preparedness principles and practices, investigative techniques and reporting procedures, the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Section 21 guidelines, labour relations principles and collective agreement negotiation/administration in a Fire Department context, and contemporary management practices.

Ability to think and act strategically in a political and community service environment, to build strong and enthusiastic staff teams and external alliances/partnerships, to align departmental programs/services with corporate goals and objectives, and to champion the mission and values of the Town.

Strong computer skills with working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat).

Residency in proximity to the municipality such as that the incumbent will be able to respond within a 30-minute response time frame to the Town boundaries.

Availability to attend evening and/or weekend meetings or other events; and to respond to major emergencies as required.

Must be available for Chief Officer on-call duty alternating weeks with the Fire Chief.