The Battalion Chief is a bargaining‑unit leadership position responsible for leading, coordinating, and delivering fire and emergency services across Operations, Training, and Fire Prevention missions. Battalion Chiefs operate within a single classification and may be assigned to any functional area based on departmental needs.
Regardless of assignment, all Battalion Chiefs share identical qualifications, professional competencies, and operational responsibilities consistent with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, and all requirements contained within the Army Directorate of Emergency Services (DES) Performance Work Statement (PWS).
Battalion Chiefs ensure personnel readiness, operational effectiveness, fire prevention compliance, and training proficiency across the department. They provide incident command, participate in emergency response activities, lead crew performance, support NFPA‑mandated training evolutions, coordinate fire inspections and code compliance processes, manage administrative and reporting obligations, and serve as command‑level support during DES/EOC activations and major incidents.
Battalion Chiefs work a flexible 40‑hour schedule; specific work hours vary by assignment (Operations, Training, or Fire Prevention) based on mission requirements and operational need. All Battalion Chiefs are hourly employees and receive overtime after 40 hours per week. Overtime opportunities may arise from emergency and non-emergency duties, NFPA‑required training evolutions, readiness exercises, administrative reporting deadlines, and other mission‑essential operational needs. Battalion Chiefs may also be assigned overtime to ensure contractual 24/7/365 coverage during vacancies, leave periods, or other staffing shortages across any shift.
Responsibilities
- Emergency Incident Command:
- Responds to fire, rescue, medical, hazmat, aircraft, technical rescue and all‑hazard emergencies and assumes command or command‑level functions as required.
- Provides operational oversight, tactical decision‑making, and coordination of multi‑company or multi‑agency incidents consistent with FIRESCOPE ICS and NFPA incident management standards.
- Supports DES/EOC activation during emergency events as required by the PWS, including after‑hours incident support as directed.
- Personnel Supervision & Shift Leadership:
- Directs, supervises, mentors, and evaluates personnel assigned to fire prevention functions.
- Ensures NFPA‑required company and departmental training, documentation, and competency maintenance is maintaned in fire prevention division.
- Manages staffing, daily assignments, resource readiness, and coordination with Captains and the Fire Chief.
- Training Oversight (NFPA 1030 & 1031).
- Plans, develops, coordinates, and delivers quarterly, semiannual, and annual training to meet PWS and NFPA standards.
- Conducts or supervises training evolutions, including live fire extinguisher training, public education classes (Fire & life safety and community based fire prevention/ awareness classes).
- Hazardous Materials & CBRNE Readiness:
- Coordinates Haz-Mat/CBRNE response and post‑incident activities as required under NFPA standards.
- Oversees hazard mitigation, documentation, and follow‑up actions.
- conducts after action reports and analysis of applicable fire prevention deficiencies identified for training or occupancy inspection improvements.
- Administrative Compliance & Reporting:
- Prepares NFIRS entries - First Due, and all monthly reports required by the PWS, including training status, inspection status, alarm testing documentation, staffing summaries, deficiencies, operational concerns, and significant events.
- Ensures time‑sensitive documentation (e.g., NFIRS 72‑hour deadlines) is completed regardless of incident timing.
- Fills overtime for Operations positions and manage schedules of Fire Inspectors as required by the CBA as needed.
- Emergency Preparedness & Drills:
- Develops, coordinates, and participates in scheduled and unscheduled emergency response exercises as mandated by the PWS.
- Provides BC‑level leadership and readiness coordination which may occur during work hours or special assignments if needed.
- Public Education & Community Risk Reduction:
- Participates in fire prevention outreach, special events, high‑hazard occupancy education, and other community risk reduction activities.
- Supports off‑hour events when mission requirements dictate BC participation with the parameters of the PWS.
- Operational Coordination:
- Ensures fire department resources, apparatus, and personnel remain in constant readiness in alignment with NFPA and PWS requirements.
- Supports the Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief with planning, policy development, and mission‑support coordination.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Must be a U.S. citizen.
- Must have a valid driver's license.
- Minimum six (6) years experience as a Fire Captain.
- Must pass Battalion Chief promotional evaluations as defined in the CBA and departmental promotional procedures.
- Must possess all required DoD/NFPA/Army DES certifications listed for Battalion Chief rank or equivalent in Appendix C, including:
- HazMat Incident Commander or equivalent.
- Fire Officer III or equivalent.
- Fire Inspector III or equivalent.
- Fire Instructor II or equivalent.
- Fire & Life Safety Educator II
- Plans Examiner
- EMT‑1 or Paramedic.
- CPR BLS Provider.
- ICS/NIMS proficiency (100/200/300/400/700/800 level or equivalent).
- Communication Skills:
- Must read, write, and speak fluent English.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills required for daily briefings, report preparation, and coordination with DES, DPW, and other installation partners.
- Ability to clearly explain operational directives, training requirements, and code compliance expectations to crews, leadership, and stakeholders.
- Leadership & Interpersonal Skills:
- Ability to lead, supervise, mentor, and evaluate fire department personnel.
- Demonstrated professionalism and judgment when managing incidents, public events, Inspections, personnel issues, and high‑stress situations.
- Ability to maintain productive working relationships with bargaining‑unit personnel, management, DES officials, and external agencies.
- Operational & Technical Competencies:
- Ability to interpret NFPA standards & building codes applicable to emergency operations, training, and fire prevention technical areas of responsibility.
- Ability to function effectively during emergency incidents, investigations, training evolutions, and other mission‑critical activities.
- Must successfully pass a physical and medical requirements necessary to perform emergency operations in accordance with PWS 19.24.00 and department medical standards.
- Strong decision‑making skills under pressure and the ability to manage multiple priorities in dynamic operational environments.
- Administrative & Organizational Skills:
- Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, teams platforms).
- Ability to prepare and submit NFIRS, DoD First Due, PWS‑required monthly activity reports, training documentation, inspection logs, and other time‑sensitive administrative deliverables.
- Strong organizational and time‑management skills with the ability to manage inspection cycles, training calendars, emergency readiness activities, and shift staffing requirements.
Benefits InformationCBA - The benefits and leave offered will be as defined under the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Pay Range$97,400/year
Job ID2026-25904
Work TypeOn-Site
