Town of North Brookfield, Massachusetts
Fire Chief
Part-Time Position, Not Benefits Eligible
Position Summary
The Fire Chief serves as the chief administrative and operational officer of the North Brookfield Fire Department and is responsible for the overall management, supervision, and direction of the Department. The Fire Chief is appointed by and reports directly to the Board of Selectmen and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Department, including emergency response, personnel administration, budgeting, training, fire prevention activities, and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
The Fire Chief shall provide leadership to ensure the protection of life, property, and the environment through effective emergency response, fire prevention, public education, and emergency preparedness activities.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Department Administration and Leadership
- Organize, supervise, and promote Department officers, including the appointment and oversight of a Deputy Chief, subject to Board of Selectmen approval where required.
- Ensure the Deputy Chief is prepared to assume all responsibilities of the Fire Chief during periods of absence or incapacity.
- Direct and supervise all operations of the Fire Department.
- Attend meetings of the Board of Selectmen and provide reports as requested.
- Develop and maintain positive working relationships with municipal officials, neighboring fire departments, law enforcement agencies, emergency medical services, state agencies, and mutual aid partners.
Emergency Operations
- Manage and direct all emergency operations including:
- Structure fires
- Brush and wildland fires
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Hazardous materials incidents
- Rescue operations
- Fire alarm activations
- Emergency medical responses
- Natural disasters and large-scale emergency incidents
- Respond to emergency incidents and function as a firefighter, incident commander, or first responder as necessary.
- Ensure compliance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS).
Fire Prevention and Code Enforcement
- Conduct or manage inspections of commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential occupancies as required by law.
- Review plans and issue permits related to fire prevention and life safety regulations.
- Enforce applicable provisions of the Massachusetts Fire Code and other fire safety regulations.
- Coordinate fire investigations and maintain records as required.
- Serves as the Town Safety Inspector, responsible for overseeing municipal workplace safety, conducting inspections, ensuring regulatory compliance, investigating incidents, and recommending corrective actions.
Personnel Management
- Recruit, hire, train, evaluate, promote, discipline, and supervise all Department personnel.
- Develop succession planning and officer development programs.
- Maintain personnel records and ensure compliance with departmental policies and labor regulations.
- Ensure all members receive required training and certifications.
Budget and Financial Management
- Prepare and administer the Department's annual operating budget.
- Responsible for payroll, expenditures, procurement, equipment purchases, and vehicle maintenance costs.
- Develop long-range capital improvement plans for apparatus, facilities, and equipment.
- Monitor expenditures and maintain fiscal responsibility.
Grants and Funding
- Identify, prepare, and administer state, federal, and private grant opportunities.
- Ensure compliance with grant reporting and financial requirements.
- Pursue funding opportunities to enhance Department capabilities.
Facilities, Apparatus, and Equipment
- Maintain responsibility for all Department buildings, apparatus, equipment, and property.
- Ensure all apparatus and equipment are properly maintained, tested, and inspected.
- Develop replacement schedules and maintenance programs.
Policies and Procedures
- Develop and implement Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs), policies, and procedures subject to the authority of the Board of Selectmen.
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and safety standards.
- Maintain accreditation, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements.
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must possess:
- Minimum of ten (10) years of experience as a firefighter.
- Minimum of five (5) years of experience as a fire officer.
- Massachusetts Firefighter I and II Certification.
- Massachusetts Fire Officer I Certification.
- Massachusetts Fire Prevention Officer I Certification.
- ICS/NIMS Certifications:
- ICS-100
- ICS-200
- ICS-300
- ICS-400
- IS-700
- IS-800
- Valid Massachusetts Driver's License.
- Successful completion of a CORI background check.
- Residency within ten (10) miles of Fire Headquarters located at 56 School Street, North Brookfield, Massachusetts, or the ability to establish residency within such distance within a timeframe established by the Board of Selectmen.
Preferred Qualifications
Preference may be given to candidates possessing:
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification.
- Massachusetts Fire Service Commission certification.
- Fire Officer II or higher certification.
- Fire Instructor certification.
- Experience in volunteer, call, combination, or municipal fire service management.
- Experience with grant writing and municipal budgeting.
Physical Requirements
The position requires the ability to perform all duties of a firefighter, including strenuous physical activity under emergency conditions, operation of firefighting equipment, wearing of personal protective equipment, and exposure to hazardous environments.
Appointment and Compensation
The Fire Chief shall be appointed by the Board of Selectmen pursuant to applicable Massachusetts General Laws and Town bylaws. The Fire Chief shall receive an annual salary of $24,000.00, with all other terms and conditions of employment established by the Board of Selectmen.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Town of North Brookfield is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other protected classification under applicable law.
Pay: $24,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
