Fire Chief

Job Summary The Fire Chief serves as the chief administrative and operational officer of the Fire Department. The position is responsible for the planning, organizing, budgeting, and directing of all municipal personnel and apparatus engaged in fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical services (EMS), hazardous materials mitigation, and rescue operations. Per New Hampshire state framework, the Fire Chief holds full operational authority under NH RSA 154 and may concurrently serve as the town's Emergency Management Director (EMD), Fire Inspector, and Forest Fire Warden. Essential Duties & Responsibilities Administrative & Budgetary Management Statutory Compliance: Executes all statutory duties, powers, and authorities granted to municipal Fire Chiefs in accordance with NH RSA Chapter 154. Budgeting: Establishes, implements, and monitors the annual departmental operational and capital improvement budgets. Policy Development: Formulates, implements, and enforces departmental policies, standard operating guidelines (SOGs), and rules of conduct. Record Keeping: Oversees data collection and the submission of state and federal incident documentation via platforms like NEIRS and TEMSIS. Operational Leadership & Incident Command Scene Command: Responds to major fire, medical, hazardous materials, and rescue calls, assuming Incident Command (IC) when appropriate to direct tactical operations. Emergency Management: Oversees local emergency preparation, community risk reduction, and updates to the town's Hazard Mitigation Plan. Mutual Aid Coordination: Maintains direct coordination and interoperability with regional emergency networks, such as the Capital Area Fire Mutual Aid Compact. Personnel & Personnel Relations Supervision: Oversees recruitment, retention, scheduling, and deployment of all per diem and on-call personnel. Training & Safety: Evaluates, plans, and oversees continuous training curricula ensuring personnel maintain necessary state licenses and physical standards. Discipline: Exercises authority to discipline, suspend, or terminate personnel following town personnel policies to include department SOG’s. Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities NH Fire Codes: Thorough knowledge of the NH State Fire Code (RSA 153), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. Emergency Medical Services: Working knowledge of NH SB 245 and other NH EMS regulations and protocols. Command Principles: Expert knowledge of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS). Communication: Exceptional written and oral communication skills for coordinating with the Selectboard, building inspectors, state agencies, and community members. Minimum Qualifications & Certifications Education: Associate or bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Fire Administration, Emergency Management, Public Administration, or a closely related field (preferred; equivalent experience may be considered). Experience: Minimum of 10 years of progressive firefighting and EMS service, including at least 4–5 years in a supervisory or officer capacity. Mandatory Certifications: Pro-Board / NH Firefighter II certification NH Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or higher NIMS/ICS certifications (ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800) Physical & Environmental Requirements Must pass successfully any required background checks Must maintain a valid State of New Hampshire Driver's License with appropriate apparatus endorsements Must be capable of working under extreme weather variations, high-stress environments, and physically demanding conditions associated with active emergency scenes. Professional Expectations Communicate to the community, in an open and transparent manner, the Department’s goals, objectives, and outcomes. Makes public appearances, maintains a good working relationship with citizens, cooperation with school authorities and other civic groups. Helps plan and participate in community fire prevention programs.  Maintain a focus on long-term capital planning to include the retention of personnel. Develop SOG’s and policies. Disclaimer The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the person assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the town, department, and the member, and is subject to change as the needs of the department and the job requirements change.