ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF

6B07

PAY RANGE: 310

GENERAL DEFINITION

This is managerial level emergency operations work directing the citywide emergency response activities of the Philadelphia Fire Department, or directing department-wide strategic support and administrative coordination. An employee is either directly responsible for all citywide Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Fire Suppression activities during an assigned shift, exercising direct command over the Operations Division (Fire and EMS) Deputy Chiefs or directly responsible for department-wide strategic support and administrative coordination exercising direct command over Fire Deputy Chiefs. Employees in this class are responsible for overall command of the coordination and deployment of equipment and personnel to a fire/emergency scene to secure prompt and efficient control, organizing training sessions and completing after-action reviews.

Work is performed under the general direction of a Deputy Fire Commissioner.

ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met in order for a position to be allocated to this class.)

1. Positions in this class must direct all citywide EMS and Fire Suppression activities citywide through subordinate Fire Paramedic Deputy Chiefs and Fire Deputy Chiefs on an assigned shift, or direct department-wide strategic support and administrative coordination through subordinate Fire Deputy Chiefs.

2. Only five positions will be allocated to this class.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

Plans, assigns, reviews and directs, through subordinate Fire Paramedic Deputy Chiefs and Fire Deputy Chiefs, the citywide EMS and Fire Suppression activities on an assigned shift; devises methods and procedures to meet operating conditions and service demands; reviews reports of activities on an assigned shift; tracks and ensures completion of all administrative duties assigned to Fire Paramedic Deputy Chiefs and Fire Deputy Chiefs on an assigned shift; completes and submits Daily Activity Reports; reviews operational procedures and makes recommendations for improvement; makes recommendations for improvements to apparatus, stations, personnel or operational guidelines.

Responds to all multiple alarm fires and to special call incidents (Hazmat, Rescue, Aircraft, etc.); assumes command when an incident is determined to be a long duration incident; monitors fire suppression response by Fire Deputy Chiefs; oversees Incident Command System (ICS) implementation; responds to all incidents involving civilian or firefighter deaths; completes reports; investigates allegations of misconduct on assigned shift; conducts post incident analysis of major incidents as directed to determine appropriate courses of action.

Responds citywide to mass casualty, terrorism, chemical/biological incidents, special events and other emergency situations; takes incident control of scene and resolves on-scene problems concerning emergency response, civilian crowd control and public information.

Reviews organizational structure and recommends changes in procedure and policy which would increase the efficiency or capabilities of the Operations Division; participates in the development and interpretation of administrative policies and procedures for the Division.

Assures the minimum staffing of Operations Division in accordance with proper PFD Memoranda, Orders, Guidelines, etc.; balances staffing and fills vacancies in collaboration with the Administration/Finance Division; approves leave and compensatory time requests and completes performance evaluations for subordinate Fire Paramedic Deputy Chiefs and Fire Deputy Chiefs; administers discipline in accordance with the PFD Disciplinary Code with the assistance of the Special Investigations Officer.

Identifies, develops and institutes field service and support initiatives; ensures department-wide compliance with adopted program initiatives; promotes performance excellence and advancement of standards, anticipates needs based on service analysis, new technology and industry/government requirements.

Responds to member injuries requiring hospital care; notifies the family or emergency contacts of the members injured; arranges transportation for the injured member or family; may direct the care or attention of family members related to injured member(s).

Attends and participates in meetings and civic functions as requested by the Fire Commissioner or designee.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

· the principles and practices of management applicable to solving a variety of operational and administrative problems

· the principles and practices of public administration including budgeting, organizational development, and staffing

· administrative and managerial practices, policies and procedures applicable to the implementation and coordination of activities within the Operations Division

· the principles and practices of incident management systems

· the current principles, practices and techniques for controlling and extinguishing various types and classes of fires

· principles, practices and techniques related to the administration of EMS programs including EMS First Responder protocols and Hazardous Materials Response Team First Responder protocols

· state and local fire codes and regulations, laws, and ordinances

· state regulations, city ordinances and departmental procedures, directives and safety practices pertaining to firefighting, fire communications, emergency medical services and fire prevention

· the City's water system related to fire protection

· supervisory principles and practices

· fire investigation methods and techniques for detecting the commission of arson

· the principles and practices of aircraft crash and rescue, fire protection related to building construction and safety accident prevention

· labor relations governing Fire Department discipline and grievance procedures

· FLSA laws related to subordinate personnel overtime and recordkeeping

· Act 111 contracts between the City of Philadelphia and IAFF, Local 22

· City of Philadelphia purchasing and budget practices and procedures

SKILL IN:

· evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of administrative and operational functions

· applying management techniques and practices to and implementing changes in emergency response operations

· firefighting strategy and tactics

· utilizing personnel and equipment resources effectively

ABILITY TO:

· interpret and enforce directives and guidelines related to the administration of emergency response services

· plan, organize, direct and coordinate firefighting and emergency medical services activities, and related administrative functions

· establish and maintain effective working relationships with fire personnel and the general public

· communicate information and instructions clearly and effectively

· recognize individual and group needs and accomplishments

· analyze and evaluate complex organizational, administrative and managerial problems and develop strategies to achieve goals and objectives

· organize and facilitate emergency response through dispatch to incidents such as fire, hazardous materials, natural disasters, mass casualty events, mitigation of weapons of mass destruction, aircraft incidents and rescue

· deliver speeches or comments to the public and represent the Fire Department and Fire Commissioner in a professional capacity including at civic functions and public meetings

· direct and fulfill Pennsylvania Public Information Act and Federal right to Privacy Act inquiries

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 4/17.)

EXPERIENCE:

Two years of experience as a Fire Deputy Chief.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES

Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as an Assistant Fire Chief if required by work assignment.

Class Established:

CSC - 3/17

Ad. Board - 4/17

Spec Revisions:

CSC – 8/17

Ad. Board - 9/17

Latest Spec Revisions:

CSC – 4/18

Ad. Board - 5/18