FIRE CAPTAIN

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under direction, responds to fire alarms, emergency medical calls, and other emergency calls to protect life and property; serves as the line officer in responsible command of the activities of an assigned fire company; conducts/participates in fire training, fire prevention, public education, station and equipment maintenance activities.  Receives general supervision from Chief officers.  Exercises general and direct supervision over assigned staff.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of 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.

• Responds to alarms, assumes command until relieved by a superior officer, and directs assigned personnel at the scene of emergencies involving fire, all types of accidents, gas leaks, flooded structures, hazardous materials, and life saving and rescue procedures.
• Places fire hoses, sets ladders, operates fire streams, ventilates and enters burning structures to extinguish fire and perform rescue services.
• Performs salvage and overhaul operations during and after fires to remove hazards and prevent water damage.
• Performs first aide and other life saving duties.
• Operates pneumatic and auxiliary equipment such as generators and pumps.
• Drives fire apparatus as required.
• Supervises the maintenance of quarters, grounds, buildings, apparatus, equipment and hydrants
• Conducts and supervises fire prevention and pre-fire planning inspections in commercial, industrial and municipal facilities.
• Maintains discipline at fire calls and in company quarters.
• Inspects personnel, equipment and company quarters.
• Coordinates, conducts and supervises company training on a group and individual basis in accordance with department-wide policies and procedures.
• Supports and assists Firefighter/Paramedics as needed on medical calls.
• Studies and keeps up to date on city geography, department rules, regulations, procedures and other training and job related material.
• In the event of major fire or emergency, may be called in from off duty to work an extended period of time.
• Presents programs and participates in the department’s public relations program.
• May be assigned responsibility for a department-wide program.
• Assists in annual budget preparation.
• Maintains records and prepares reports as required.
• Enforces departmental rules and regulations, and recommends disciplinary action when necessary.
• May be assigned as a strike team leader, or act in superior officer’s position as assigned.
• Supervises subordinate personnel and evaluates their performance.
• Performs related work as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Firefighting and EMS procedures and equipment.
• Fire ground tactics and strategy; emergency incident management, specifically the Incident Command System (ICS); principles of incident safety; automatic and mutual aid agreements; hazardous materials incident management; and confined space and technical rescue techniques.
• Hazardous materials, fire prevention procedures and related codes.
• Rescue operations and procedures.
• California vehicular laws.
• Policies, procedures, rules and regulations of the Escondido Fire Department and the City of Escondido.
• Principles of effective supervision.
• Principles of customer service.
• Geography and street layout of the City and surrounding area.
• Laws and regulations pertaining to fire and emergency medical services operations.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Algebraic and arithmetic computations.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Principles and practices of customer service.

Ability to:

• Perform competently in dynamic, highly stressful situations; command fire department staff and operate vehicles and radios.
• Carry out specific and general instructions with minimum supervision. 
• Maintain physical endurance and agility.
• Make accurate observations and rapid judgments.
• Oversee, direct, and coordinate the work of lower level staff.
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
• Meet and deal tactfully and effectively with the public in all types of situations.
• Collect, analyze and evaluate data and be able to prepare and deliver clear and concise written and oral reports.
• React quickly and calmly in all types of emergency situations.
• Speak effectively before public gatherings.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training: Must have a minimum of 60 units of college credit.

Effective January 1, 2011, must either possess California State Fire Marshal certification for FIRE OFFICER or, must have completed the following California State Fire Marshal FIRE OFFICER Classes:

Fire Command 1A
Fire Command 1B
Fire Command 1C
Fire Investigator 1A
Fire Prevention 1A
Fire Prevention 1B
Fire Instructor 1A
Fire Instructor 1B
Fire Management 1

In addition to the above listed CSFM classes, the following educational requirements shall also be met:

Experience: Must have five years of experience in an organized municipal fire department, three of which must have been with the Escondido Fire Department.

Test applicants shall have completed the Escondido Fire Department’s “Acting Captains Certification Process” and be working as an Engineer, OR have passed an Escondido Fire Department Engineer’s Examination and have completed the Escondido Fire Department Driver Certification Program Part One and Part Two. Applicants must be currently certified to operate all Escondido Fire Department fire apparatus at time of filling.

Residency Requirement - Must reside within a one-hour normal driving time of Fire Station #1, or must comply with the following requirement:

1. Employees shall not be allowed to reside in Mexico.
2. Employees unable to meet departmental requirements for filling overtime on short notice may be ineligible for certain categories of overtime (i.e., sick leave relief, etc.).
3. Modification of an employee’s work schedule in order to mitigate the personal impacts of long-distance commuting will not be permitted.

Licenses and Certificates - Possession of a valid California Class B or C Driver’s License with Firefighter endorsement. EMT-1 certification. Possession of a valid CPR certification at time of application.

All Fire Safety Personnel hired from City of Escondido eligibility lists after January 1, 1989, shall be required to remain a nonsmoker and refrain from the use of any tobacco product throughout their employment as a member of the Escondido Fire Department.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Exposure to extreme heat, cold, humidity and temperature swings 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, smoke, and blood-borne pathogens; occasional exposure to explosives at fires or other hazardous materials calls; works in and around heavy equipment with exposure to moving mechanical parts; exposure to vibration from equipment and vehicles; operations of foot controls or repetitive foot motion; may work at substantial heights; wears appropriate personal protective equipment including goggles, ear plugs or other auditory protective equipment, face protector, turn-outs, safety shoes, gloves and a self-contained breathing apparatus.

Employees work a Kelly shift schedule: over an 8-day period, the employee works every other day and will receive 6 days off. Then over an 8-day period works every other day and will receive 4 days off.  In the event of an emergency, may be called in from off-duty to work an extended period of time.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work both indoors in an office-type setting and outdoors in extreme weather conditions.  CONTINUOUS sitting and upward and downward flexion of neck; side-to-side turning of neck; twisting and bending at the waist; and reaching below the shoulders; lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to 100 pounds.  FREQUENT standing; walking and walking on uneven ground; reaching at ad above the shoulder; power grasping, and pushing and pulling of objects and equipment; fine finger dexterity, simple grasping and repetitive use of hands to manipulate equipment controls, keyboard and other office equipment.  OCCASIONAL running, crawling, kneeling, climbing, balancing and squatting; lifting and carrying objects more than 100 pounds with or without assistance.

Vision: Must see in order to perform essential job tasks; respond to incidents, provide care; operate emergency vehicles and apparatus; keep records, operate a computer, and perform office work; maintain station and equipment.

Hearing: Must be able to hear instructions, radio messages, and emergency tones, alarms and other warning devices; sufficient to perform essential job tasks.  Vision and hearing must be sufficient to meet NFPA Medical Evaluation Criteria.

Date: December 2010
Revised by JP/Department

Date: September 2009
Revised by JP/Department

Date: June 2009
Revised by JP/Department

Date: March 2001
JV/Department