Fire Chief

CITY OF HARTSVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA JOB DESCRIPTION

Title: Fire Chief Date: Nov 13, 2024

Department: Fire Status: Full-time

Exemption: Exempt W/C Code: 7704-30

GENERAL PURPOSE

Performs a variety of administrative, technical, and supervisory work, which includes planning,

organizing, directing and implementing fire prevention and fire suppression to prevent or minimize

the loss of life and property by fire. Responds to emergency situations within the City and Fire

District as required. Serves as Emergency Operation Director. Performs medical assistance at the

First Responder EMT level as certified.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Under broad supervision, exercises discretion and independent judgment, reports to the City

Manager. SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Supervises all command staff directly and other department staff employees and/or volunteers

through subordinate officers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Plans, coordinates, supervises, and evaluates fire, rescue, and emergency operations; serves as

emergency operations director when emergency operation plan (EOP) is activated.

Performs supervisory duties including instructing, planning, assigning and reviewing work,

maintaining standards, coordinating activities, allocating personnel, acting on employee problems

and recommending selection of new employees, discipline, discharge and salary increases.

Establishes and enforces Fire Department rules and regulations, standard operating procedures,

general operating procedures, and other City policies and directives.

Plans and implements fire programs for the City in order to efficiently carry out the policies and

goals; reviews departmental performance and effectiveness; formulates programs or policies to

alleviate deficiencies.

Supervises and coordinates the preparation, presentation, and implementation of an annual

departmental budget, including expenditure appropriations, implementation of departmental capital

plans, and reviewing specifications for new or replaced equipment.

Responds to alarms and may direct activities at the scene of a fire or other emergency call.

Supervises the inspection of buildings and other properties for fire hazards and enforces fire

prevention ordinances.

Submits monthly reports to the City Manager regarding Department activities; and prepares a variety

of other reports as appropriate, including the annual report of activities.

Maintains departmental records and files; ensures proper maintenance of technical and official

records and files. Supervises and directs the operation of departmental in-service training

activities.

Determines departmental discipline; and is responsible for the conduct and general behavior of

assigned

personnel.

Plans departmental operations with respect to equipment, apparatus and personnel; supervises the

implementation of such plans.

Assigns personnel and equipment to duties as the service requires; evaluates the need for and

recommends the purchase of new equipment and supplies.

Provides training in fire safety to public schools, colleges, civic clubs, etc., as requested;

provides information and advice to public citizens concerning fire safety programs.

Communicates with other departmental supervisors in order to provide advice regarding current

procedures and standards.

Keeps abreast of Federal, State, and County and City codes and ordinances; communicates any

pertinent changes in same.

Attends conferences and meetings to keep abreast of current trends in the field; represents the

City Fire Department in a variety of local, County, State and other meetings.

Provides compassionate Basic Life Support emergency medical treatment by doing an evaluation,

treatment and stabilization of the critically ill or injured; responds to emergency rescue

situations involving potential loss of life or bodily injury; maintains self-control, manages and

directs patient care at the scene of a pre-hospital emergency.

Remains on 24-hour emergency call.

Participates in safety training, make suggestions as necessary; serve on committees or inspection

teams when appropriate. Works according to good safety practices as posted, instructed, and/or

discussed. Reports unsafe conditions or defects in equipment. Refrains from any unsafe behavior or

act that might endanger self or fellow worker(s). Reports all accidents and incidents (including

near misses) as soon as they occur. Follows safety rules and regulations and uses personal

protective equipment.

Maintains prompt and regular attendance; adheres to City policies and procedures regarding absences

and tardiness.

Provides exceptional customer service to internal and external customers.

Required to report to the City's Emergency Operations Center for emergency duty anytime the

Emergency Operations Plan is activated.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES

Performs the duties of command personnel as needed and fulfills firefighting and rescue obligations

as necessary.

Serves on various employee or other committees as assigned.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

a) Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in fire science,

public administration or closely related field; and,

b) Seven (7) years of progressively responsible supervisory command experience and training in fire

service programs and operations; and

c) Completion of the South Carolina Fire Academy, in addition to completion of qualifying

certifications for all other positions in the Fire Department; or,

d) Any equivalent combination of education and experience, which provides the necessary knowledge,

skills, and abilities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

a) Thorough knowledge of modern fire suppression and prevention principles, procedures, techniques

and equipment; considerable knowledge of applicable laws, ordinances, departmental standard

operating procedures and regulations.

b) Skill in operating the listed tools and equipment.

c) Ability to: train and supervise subordinate personnel; perform work requiring good physical

condition; communicate effectively orally and in writing; exercise sound judgment in evaluating

situations and in making decisions; effectively give and receive verbal and written instructions;

establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, supervisor, and the

public.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

a) No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal histories within the past 10 years.

b) Must possess a valid Class E South Carolina driver's license.

c) Must obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid certifications.

d) Must meet Department's physical and medical standards, as well as physical standards of the

National Fire Protection Association.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Standard firefighting equipment, including, but not limited to, fire engines and motor vehicles,

fire suppression equipment, power tools, self-contained breathing apparatus, rescue equipment, fire

apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, personal protective equipment, ladders, first aid equipment, two-way

radio, pager, personal computer, phone, fax, copier, calculator, typewriter, audio/visual

equipment, camera, and other related tools.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to

successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to

enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk and hear;

stand; walk; use hands to handle or operate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms.

The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, crawl, kneel, or crouch and taste

or smell.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or

move more than 165 pounds in certain situations. Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force

occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to life, carry and push,

pull or otherwise move objects. Must be able to remain on feet for periods of time, withstand

uncomfortable and/or dangerous physical conditions at fire scenes and perform manual tasks.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision,

peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics 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.

Work is performed in primarily in office, vehicles, and outdoor settings; in all weather

conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night. Work is often performed in

emergency and stressful situations. Individual is exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated

with fighting fires, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals,

radioactive materials, solvents and oils.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quite in the office and loud at an emergency

scene.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, review of education and experience; background and reference check; appropriate

interviews; physical agility testing; post-offer drug screening and medical examination; final

selection subject to completion of a standard probationary period and successful completion of any

required South Carolina Fire Academy certifications.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be

performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if

the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.