Job Announcement:

Deputy Fire Chief

City of West Haven Fire Department - Allingtown

JOB TITLE: Deputy Fire Chief

SUPERVISOR: Fire Chief

SALARY: $106,554.30, plus stipend for EMT, and Fire Marshal certification, if applicable

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The City of West Haven Fire Department - Allingtown is one of three separate fire protection agencies that provides fire and life safety protection services to the City of West Haven collectively. The department had its beginnings in 1921 when it originally began as a separate taxing district with first responder services provided by volunteer staffing. As is the case with many volunteer departments across the country, the Allingtown Fire District began having to hire career staff to ensure adequate protection for the district was being provided for emergency responses as volunteer participation waned to levels below what would have been needed per the demand.

As a division of city government after it was absorbed in 2012 by the City of West Haven, and operating as the City of West Haven Fire Department - Allingtown, the department provides a comprehensive fire and life safety protection delivery service through its efforts in Fire Prevention, Fire Suppression, EMS at the paramedic level, Public Education in Fire Prevention, and other related community outreach. Included in this outreach is the Smoke Detector Program which distributes lifesaving smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to residents who are in financial need or unable to obtain the life saving devices; and the recently initiated certified Child Safety Car Seat installation program that provides a certified installation of child safety car seats in private vehicles free of charge. Hiring and firing, and District policies continue to be addressed by The City of West Haven Fire Department -Allingtown seven-member fire commission appointed by the mayor.

The City of West Haven Fire Department - Allingtown currently operates out of two stations;

• Fire Headquarters located at 20 Admiral St.,
• and the Minor Park Station located at 318 Fairfax St.

The career staffing level of 24 cross trained firefighter EMT and paramedic personnel, primarily operate out of the Minor Park Station with an on-duty strength of 6 personnel, 24 hours, 7 days per week. The 6 personnel include a Duty Captain, and 5 firefighter EMT/ paramedics. Staffing at this location operate with a 75' quint aerial, a triple combination pumper, a paramedic transport Rescue, and a Utility vehicle. Special operations equipment also includes a marine unit, and a UTV all-terrain Kubota with both firefighting and EMS transportation capability.

The 20 Admiral St. location essentially houses the administrative operations of the department, the University of New Haven "Bunkie" dormitory, and the Allingtown Volunteer Firefighter

Association offices and quarters. There are two triple combination pumpers stationed at this location, Engine 8, operated by the Allingtown Volunteer Firefighter Association (AVFA), and Reserve Engine 2. The department participates in a robust automatic mutual aid agreement with the other two independent fire protection agencies that together provide the combined West Haven Fire Services and strive to operate as one entity in the ultimate interest for the tax-paying community of West Haven as a whole. This effort is further bolstered and encouraged through a newly formed Tri-District Fire Council which has representation from all three districts.

The department receives funding from various separate sources, although primarily revenues are generated through a fire tax from properties on the grand list for the 3rd Taxing District. This covers the department's operating costs, personnel costs, equipment purchases, and other expenses incurred by the department. Additional funding sources come from Fees for Services, such as EMS billing for patient transports, responses at the paramedic level, and fire marshal related activities; and state PILOT payments. These revenue streams are further enhanced through the team efforts of the Fire Departments Administrative Office, and the City of West Haven Grants Administrator in the submission and often successful award of various grant opportunities, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and state and federal Community Development grants.

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION

The Deputy Fire Chief is the second in command of the department and supports and answers to the Chief of Department. He also acts as chief in the absence of the Fire Chief and is direct supervisor of the line captains and staff. The Deputy Chief also acts as the departments Professional Standards Officer ensuring the department maintains its culture of professionalism in meeting its mission goals in protection of the constituency.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES

The Deputy Chief shall work under the direction of the Chief and Board of Fire Commissioners. The Deputy Chief shall perform the duties of the Chief in their absence. The Deputy Chief or their designee shall be responsible for the supervision pertaining to education and training of the firemen performing fire services in the City of West Haven Fire Department. They shall instruct Company Officers as to the proper way reports, requisitions and other papers should be made out, see that they become competent to perform such duties as would be required of them if in charge. The Deputy Chief shall be responsible for the preparation and supervision of preventive maintenance programs for the care and protection of the fire apparatus, buildings, and equipment owned by the City. Upon the Board of Fire Commissioners request, shall assist the board with the preparation of the annual report and budget. He/ she shall give reports of all fire services performed in the City including the number of firemen available, equipment conditions, injuries, and other information requested by the board. He/she shall perform other similar and related duties assigned to him by the board including, but not limited to responsibility for the enforcement of any rules and regulations as enacted by the board and to the extent the Board so prescribes. Respond to all fire and other emergency incidents and participate in Mutual Aid Responses and act as command in accordance with NICS and ICS protocols

MINOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Assist and supervise personnel performing maintenance, training, public community outreach, and recruitment efforts. Attend, monthly meetings of the Board of Fire Commissioners, and meetings of the City Council, when requested, quarterly meetings of the ERS Authority, and TRI-District board, either with the chief or when the chief is unable in his place.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE JOB

Education:

The successful candidate will have attained a minimum of an Associate's Degree in Fire Administration and Technology, or other related field, or a combination of related work experience, and training will be considered. A Bachelor's degree in Fire Administration, Emergency Management or another related field is desirable.

Experience:

The successful candidate will have had a minimum of 15 years firefighting experience with a minimum of 10 years of supervisory experience at the rank of captain or higher in a municipal career fire department, or combination fire department, of a similar size or greater than that of the City of West Haven FD - Allingtown

Other:

The successful candidate shall also possess as a minimum certification as;

• Fire Service Instructor Level I,
• Fire Officer Level III, as per NFPA Fire Officer standards, (Or the ability to successfully obtain FO III within 1 year of employment)
• ICS 100,200, (300, and 400 Preferred).
• State of CT EMT certification; or the ability to obtain reciprocity in a year
• State of CT certification as a Fire Marshal or Inspector Preferred

KEY COMPETENCIES

Skills in the use of computer data entry and familiarity of ESO fire reporting program, manning programs such as Aladtech, general business office equipment such as computer laptops PC's copiers, communications, and virtual meeting programs such as Zoom

CT Driver's license or the ability to attain one with a Q restriction or higher, EMT, hazardous materials certification, demonstrated knowledge of fire apparatus and operation of same.

Knowledge of effective training techniques, Incident Command, Firefighting Strategy and Tactics, Personnel Supervision and Relations.

PHYSICAL and RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

Pass a physical, and mandatory drug test

Submit to a background check

Live within a 20-minute response time to the City of West Haven

To apply:

Submit a Letter of Interest, and an up-to-date Resume, No Later than January 13, 2025@ 4 pm to;

City of West Haven Fire Department-Allingtown 20 Admiral St.

West Haven, CT 06516

Attn: Melissa DeVellis, Administrative Assistant

 

Or electronically to;

mdevellis@cityofwesthavenfd.org w/subject line, Deputy Chief Interest

Please direct questions regarding this position to mdevellis@cityofwesthavenfd.org