What You'll DoAs Fire Chief, you'll provide executive and operational leadership for the Carmel Fire Department, overseeing fire suppression and prevention, emergency medical services, rescue, hazardous materials response, disaster preparedness and major emergency operations.
You'll also:
- Set the department's strategic direction, goals and priorities and turn them into action.
- Lead, develop and empower firefighters, officers and the department's next generation of leaders.
- Serve as Incident Commander during major fires and emergencies and ensure lessons learned become opportunities to improve.
- Make critical personnel decisions involving hiring, promotion and discipline.
- Develop policies, programs and operational strategies that anticipate the changing needs of the community.
- Use data and performance measures to identify trends, evaluate operations and make informed decisions.
- Develop and administer the department budget with a focus on operational readiness and responsible stewardship of public resources.
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, professional standards and departmental policies.
- Build strong partnerships with local, regional and state public safety organizations.
- Work collaboratively with the Mayor, City leadership, elected officials and departments across the organization.
- Serve as a visible and trusted representative of Carmel Fire within the community and the fire-service profession. And when the call demands it, you'll lead from the scene. The Fire Chief serves as Incident Commander during major emergencies, maintains required operational qualifications and remains prepared for 24-hour response to significant incidents.
What You'll BringThis is an executive leadership position grounded in substantial fire-service experience.
Qualified candidates will have:
- A high school diploma or GED supplemented by college-level coursework in fire services management; a bachelor's degree is preferred.
- At least 15 years of fire service experience, including supervisory and management responsibilities.
- At least 5 years at the rank of Captain or higher.
- A valid Indiana driver's license.
- Required Indiana certifications including Firefighter I & II, Fire Instructor I, Strategy and Tactics, EMT, Fire Officer I-IV, Hazardous Materials Awareness & Operations and Incident Safety Officer.
- NIMS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700 and 800.
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex operations, develop people, manage organizational change and make sound decisions under pressure.
- Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills with employees, elected officials, public safety partners and the community.
- Additional achievements such as an Associate degree in Fire Science, CPSE professional credentials, National Fire Academy EFO or Hazardous Materials Technician certification are valued.
If you're ready to bring decades of fire-service experience to a leadership role with community-wide impact, we want to hear from you.
The Fire Chief is appointed by the Mayor and must be available on a 24-hour basis for major incidents. 
