Fire Captain Under the general supervision of the Elko County Fire District Operations Division Chief, the incumbent commands an engine company and provides leadership, direction, and supervision to subordinates, typically Full Time and Volunteer Firefighters. In addition, the Fire Captain is responsible for prioritizing, scheduling, and completing tasks associated with non-emergency response activities such as participating in budget preparation activities, pre-fire planning, fire and life safety education, and training activities as well as maintenance of a fire station, apparatus, equipment, and grounds. Manages an assigned fire station or geographic area within the Fire District. Significant elements of this position include first-line supervising, motivating, training, and evaluation of subordinate-level employees. The Fire Captain may be responsible for performing firefighting duties which may involve considerable physical exertion and risk to health and safety. In addition, the Fire Captain may be required to fill in for the Division Chief in an acting capacity. Incumbent must have the ability to interact and equally support Volunteer Fire Department and full-time staff. The Fire Captain must be skilled in and capable of performing firefighting duties. May be required to work 24-hour shifts and may also be assigned to administrative, day assignments which involve 40-hour work weeks. The following duties are typical for this position. Incumbents may not perform all the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices. May be assigned as a station or shift Captain and held accountable for the overall condition of the station, its maps, library, grounds, inventory, and station reports. Responsible to support and enforce District policies, procedures, guidelines, set in place by Chief Officers. Manage, supervise, and participate in functional areas of fire protection; compile information, develop plans and make recommendations concerning training, prevention, suppression, emergency operations, fuels management, support services and administration. Responsible for becoming familiar with the district roads and streets, terrain, auxiliary water supplies, sprinkler systems, building occupancy and contents. Respond to emergency incidents such as structure and wildland fires, medical emergencies, vehicle accidents, hazardous material incidents, floods, and other emergencies; receive alarm information and locate area in map books; determine best route to incidents; drive emergency vehicles and strategically position apparatus and equipment. Respond to medical emergencies and rescues; locate and remove victims from hazardous areas; triage multiple victims and assess injuries; stabilize victims and monitor vital signs; provide emotional support to victims and families; secure transportation for patient; and provide medical information to health care providers. Determine methods of fire suppression; supervise and participate in laying of hose lines, directing of water streams, apply extinguishing agents, pressures of streams, placing of ladders, ventilation of buildings, rescuing of persons, and placing of salvage covers, assess and triage property damage to minimize property loss. Supervise and/or participate in pre-suppression activities; inspect buildings; develop preplans; inspect and test hydrant systems; check fire access roads, gates, and water supplies; and review and update dispatch response cards. Supervise and/or participate in fire prevention activities; inspect areas designated for prescribed burning; advise landowners of regulations; determine approval/denial of fire permit; check campfires; advise the public of fire danger, safety, and fire restrictions; make safety presentations to homeowners, students and civic groups; conduct defensible space inspections; and post signs to educate the public and reduce fire occurrence. Schedule and conduct fire inspections of commercial establishments; make recommendations regarding fire, building and other applicable codes, laws, and standards; conduct arson investigations; coordinate activities with local fire and County officials regarding onsite inspections; prepare and maintain records and reports related to inspections and hazardous materials inventories. Train volunteer fire departments, cooperative fire agencies, and full-time firefighting personnel; schedule classes or demonstrations; review materials, techniques, and strategies; and provide on-the-job training to improve firefighting techniques and effectiveness. Instruct others in fire safety, fire prevention, firefighting, and emergency medical services. Communicate appropriately with management, peers, subordinates, volunteers, and other County employees to assign and coordinate emergency scene tasks, evaluate performance, and establish and maintain effective working relationships. Support and guide professional growth and development of subordinates and encourage achievement of individual career goals through performance appraisals as well as frequent and timely feedback. Produce written documents, such as memos, repair orders, fire and EMS reports in documenting technical and legal matters, and other forms of communication to propose improvements, evaluate performance, or document outcomes. Monitor and respond appropriately to radio traffic, including the request for progress reports at emergency scenes. Ensures assigned company equipment is returned to its proper place before leaving the emergency scene. On arrival to the fire station, supervises and participates in the cleaning, servicing and return to emergency readiness of apparatus and equipment. Daily inspections of apparatus and equipment and follow preventive maintenance schedules; check, clean, sharpen, adjust, and make minor repairs to equipment; report mechanical problems and arrange for repairs; and replace used equipment and supplies. Functions as Incident Commander, Sector, Branch Officer, or other ICS function as needed or assigned. May represent the County Fire District in a variety of local, county, state, and other meetings. Performs duties in accordance with Federal, State, County, and City laws, regulations, and ordinances. Coordinates activities with other supervisors or County departments, and exchanges information with Volunteer Fire Departments. Maintains contact with the general public, department officers, and other County officials in the performance of the fire department activities. Subject to emergency recall while off duty.
Education and Experience:
High school diploma or equivalent. Three (3) years of firefighting experience with progressive leadership experience. Certifications/Qualifications Required at the time of application: District-recognized Firefighter 1 and 2, FEMA ICS100, ICS200, ICS 300, ICS400, ICS 700 and ICS800, State of Nevada or National Registry EMT, Red card qualification as a NWCG, Single Resource Boss Engine Boss, Red card Qualification as NWCG ICT5, Incident Commander Type 5. Certifications required within 180 days of hire: Valid Nevada Class B driver's license. Certifications required within 12 Months of appointment: Fire Service Instructor I, Fire Service Instructor II, District Recognized Fire Officer. Certifications required within 24 Months of appointment: Incident Commander Type 4. Certifications required within 36 Months of Appointment: NWCG STEN or TFLD (Strike Team or Task Force Leader) within 36 months.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge Fire ground tactics and strategy; emergency incident management, specifically the Incident Command System (ICS); principles of safety; automatic and mutual aid agreements; hazardous material incident management; and confined space and technical rescue techniques. Modern tactics, strategies, practices, and procedures used in fire prevention. Modern EMS methods and equipment. Salvage and overhaul operations. Operation and maintenance of fire and rescue apparatus and equipment. Laws, rules, and regulations that govern the Fire District, including codes and ordinances. Principles of hydraulics and chemistry as applied to fire fighting. Geography and street layout. Supervisory, training, and evaluation practices and techniques. Principles and practices of customer service. Algebraic and arithmetic computations. English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Basic computer skills. Directing, assigning, and motivating employees, planning their work assignments effectively. Creating a fair, unbiased, cooperative work atmosphere. Demonstrating excellent interpersonal skills especially in dealing with the public. Understanding and carrying out complex written and oral communications. The use of two-way radio communications. Firefighting tools and equipment. Operation of fire apparatus, pumps, and UTVsUse of equipment (including chainsaws, chippers, masticators, and yarders) for maintenance and problem identification/mitigation in the field.
Physical Demands and Working Environment:
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods. Ability to hike, lift, bend, and carry heavy loads in mountainous terrain on steep slopes varying between 30 to 90%. Ability to frequently stoop, bend, kneel, and climb.
Exposure to extreme heat, cold, humidity, and temperature swings. Working in and around water and possibly in hazardous situations in shallow water and deep water. working indoors and outdoors.
Excessive noise of emergency equipment; the noise level may be very loud when responding to emergency calls and when working at a fire or other emergency incident.
Exposure to dust, gases, chemicals
