Job Summary:

Under the administrative direction of the Fire Battalion Chief, the Captain is a company officer assigned to the supervisory role of a suppression unit. Responsible for the direct supervision and direction of all fire department subordinates in all aspects of fire suppression, public education. The company officer is responsible for fire department apparatus and firefighters assigned under his/her command. The company officer shall perform minor administrative duties in the absence of the Fire Chief while ensuring the protection of lives and property within the City from uncontrolled fire and medical emergencies.

This position is responsible for the prevention and extinguishment of fires, the protection and saving of life and property, ensuring crews follow all applicable City of Fort Meade municipal codes as well as N.F.P.A. regulations or statue whether state or federal pertaining to the prevention and control of fires.

Essential Functions:

• Supervises and directs fire shift personnel as well as fire companies in the performance of firefighting duties, pre-incident planning, performs other firefighting related duties.
• ·Responds to emergency incidents; supervises emergency response crews and units in fire suppression, emergency medical, hazardous material, active shooter and other violent incidents, and other rescue operations.
• Establishes an incident command structure and directs operations until relieved by higher ranking officer.
• Performs the same duties as those supervised to include extinguishing fires; ensuring hazardous material control; extricating victims; administering first aid and assessing patients and performing search and rescue tasks.
• Assists in maintaining discipline; advises employees on ways to improve productivity. Assures that daily shift duties are competently performed; ensures emergency response apparatus and fire station maintenance is checked, maintained and in a good state of order and readiness.
• Completes annual, probationary, and quarterly employee evaluations. Develops and facilitates employee performance improvement plans when directed by the Fire Chief.
• ·Encourages employee career development by providing guidance and support, and promotes organizational mission, vision, and values.
• Conducts and participates in tactical drills, company training, public safety and training sessions, educational seminars and courses, in-service training classes and other learning techniques.
• Supervises firefighter subordinates as they perform fire pre-incident planning to ensure efficient and effective emergency response operations are consistently provided. Participates in and assigns personnel to conduct public education programs.
• When assigned, performs in the absence of a higher-ranking officer. This is not intended to be an all-inclusive listing of essential job functions; the performance of other essential functions may be required.
• Consistently follow Board policies and procedures.
• Responds productively to change and performs all other tasks as directed.
• Works productively with all personnel throughout the chain of command.

(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties. Employees will be required to perform other job-related duties, as required.)

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of 18 years of age or older.
• Must be U.S. Citizen or legally authorized to work in the U.S. (must meet 1-9 requirements).
• Applicants must possess good character and meet all requirements per state statute.
• Must possess a high degree of integrity, initiative, and strong work ethic with the ability to detect and avoid conflicts of interest.

Minimum Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques of fire ground management.
• Understand and demonstrate NIMS terminology and the ICS system.
• Ability to direct and supervise the activities of fire suppression personnel in-house and at the scene of emergencies.
• Ability to prepare, maintain, and review fire and medical reports.
• Must have the physical agility, strength, and flexibility sufficient to perform the essential job functions of a firefighter without risking the health or safety of oneself or others.
• Ability to hear, speak and enunciate clearly to communicate effectively with others over a radio and in person.
• Ability to work for longer periods of time under unfavorable conditions. Ability to work under stressful conditions and to react calmly and responsively in emergency situations.

Training and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalency. AS degree is Fire Science or related field preferred.
• Must have six (6) years as a certified full-time firefighter with a career or combination Fire Department.

Licenses, Certificates, Special Requirements:

• Must possess a valid State of Florida class D driver's license.
• Must possess and maintain the following certifications: Florida State Firefighter II Minimum Standards Certification, State of Florida, or National registry Emergency Medical Technician, CPR/AED for Health Care Provider (BLS) as well as a 16-hour Emergency Vehicle Operation (EVOC or CEVO) certification, State of Florida Pump Operator certification as well as a State of Florida Fire Officer I certification.
• Must continue and successfully complete all required formal education and training in specialized areas such as fire prevention, hazardous materials, and fire ground organization to ensure current knowledge of developments in the field of firefighting.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience that is determined to be directly related to the foregoing specific requirements may be substituted.
• The individual must be able to work during a declared emergency disaster since fire services are essential.

Physical and Mental Demands:

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

• Physical strength and agility are sufficient to perform strenuous work in a variety of situations including adverse weather conditions.
• Able to work at considerable heights and in confined spaces.
• This work requires the occasional exertion of over 100 pounds of force.
• Must maintain physical fitness requirements including but not limited to vision and hearing standards to assure satisfactory performance of the essential functions of the job.

Frequently/Routinely:

Walk; crawl; climb ladders and stairways; sit for long periods of time; stand for long periods of time; lift and carry up to 50 lbs., push, or pull heavy weight; bend, squat, kneel, or twist; reach to ground level and overhead; hold and grip objects; work at heights of 100 feet or higher as required by emergency situations; observe situations, identify appropriate instructions; observe and move about fire scenes, identify appropriate actions.

Mental Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills: read and interpret data, information, and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or new skills; work under deadlines with constant interruptions; interact with city staff and other organizations; may deal with dissatisfied or quarrelsome individuals; must have the ability to work under stress and make competent leadership decisions in a quick manner.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Works in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• Susceptible to a variety of extreme weather conditions.
• Position involves performing hazardous tasks under adverse conditions, including physically demanding labor, emotionally stressful situations, and extreme weather.
• Works in emergency situations.
• Works around hazardous chemicals, gases, smoke, and fire.
• Possibility of exposure to radiation exists.
• Possibility of exposure to toxins (fumes, gases, asbestos, etc.) exists.
• Works in and around dangerous buildings in confined spaces and at various heights.
• Possibility of exposure to infection exists.
• Works in close association with others.
• Work includes responsibility for welfare and lives of others.
• Frequent use of city vehicles.
• Job requires working irregular hours without regard to weekends and holidays.
• Works 24 hours on duty and 48 hours off duty schedule.

**This position description is a general guideline for work behavior and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all job duties.

BENEFITS

The City offers comprehensive health insurance, city-paid basic life insurance and long-term disability insurance, optional vision, dental and short-term disability insurance, robust retirement plan options, both pension and deferred compensation, generous paid leave, and ample professional development