The Fire & Rescue Captain is responsible for middle management leadership and assigned as the station commander for their designated station. Captains also function as the logistical station liaison across all shifts to address station needs and issues. In addition to supervisory and logistical responsibilities, Captains function in an operational assignment to respond to medical, fire, hazardous material, technical rescue, and other hazardous events. During these events, Captains provide working supervision for the incident commander to accomplish command and control and manage the appropriate actions to mitigate the emergency and care for sick and injured. Captains also serve as the shift training coordinator and direct and lead subordinates in associated duties including training, pre-incident planning, public education, and equipment and facility maintenance. Work is often performed under emergency conditions and frequently involves considerable hazards. Captains are required to maintain appropriate training and proficiency to serve in an acting Battalion Chief capacity and will serve as the primary fill-in as needed.

All Captains are subject to emergency recall during times of operational need. Examples of operational need include, but are not limited to, staffing shortages, weather events, multi-alarm fires, hazardous material incidents, and acts of terrorism. These events may require the Fire Captain to work multiple consecutive shifts.

Duties and Responsibilities:
– Serves as a direct supervisor for their assigned station and provides oversight of the station and personnel activities
– Conducts performance evaluations on assigned subordinates
– Supervises daily station operations by scheduling personnel, assigning duties and tasks, overseeing station and equipment maintenance, directing station operations, maintaining records, ordering supplies, and preparing correspondence
– Develops personnel by creating, implementing, and maintaining a shift training program while providing direct instruction, evaluation, counseling, and discipline.
– Maintains and updates personnel records.
– Serves as a station liaison across all shifts to address logistical, maintenance, and general needs. Communicates all required items through the WFRD chain of command and functions as the primary station point of contact between WFRD and volunteers.
– Maintains communication with their shift Battalion Chief for guidance and supervision on various tasks and responsibilities
– Serves as a primary backup Battalion Chief based on operational need
– Maintains communication with their shift Battalion Chief for guidance and supervision on various tasks and responsibilities
– Serves as a primary backup Battalion Chief based on operational need
– Responds to medical emergencies and participates in and directs the delivery of basic and advanced life support procedures in accordance with local protocols
– Responds to fire scenes. Participates and directs the application of water and/or chemical agents to control and extinguish fires and the performance of search and rescue, forcible entry, ventilation, salvage, and overhaul. Responsible for ensuring that an initial cause and origin are determined at all fire incidents.
– Responds to hazardous materials emergencies (accidental or intentional) to participate in and/or direct effective hazard control strategies
– Responds to technical rescue emergencies (accidental or intentional) to participate in and/or direct and manage effective hazard control strategies
– Responds to hazardous conditions and general service calls to participate in and/or direct and manage effective hazard control strategies. Provides salvage and recovery support to owners and/or occupants of damaged properties
– Drives and operates emergency apparatus based on operational need
– Supervises and assists with fire prevention inspections and activities
– Participates in continuing education training and instructional programs by individual study of technical material and attendance at scheduled drills and classes
– Performs continuous quality improvement (CQI) reviews of EMS and fire reports
– Conducts public safety programs and tours of fire and rescue stations and grounds as needed
– Performs special projects as assigned
– Participates in and maintains good physical condition as prescribed in the Department’s Physical Conditioning and Wellness Program
– Contributes to a positive work environment
– Other duties as assigned

Requirements:
– Minimum of 2 years as a company officer within a career department
– Current certification as a Virginia Department of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services Advanced EMT (AEMT) or Paramedic preferred
– Any education equivalent to an associate’s degree is required.
– Associate’s degree in Fire Science, Emergency Medical Services, or other applicable field (e.g. emergency management, leadership, business administration) or Bachelor’s degree is preferred
– Certification requirements – Valid driver’s license; Virginia Department of Fire Programs recognized certifications in – Fire Officer Level 2, Fire Instructor Level 2, Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) Level 3, Driver/Operator Pumper (DPO), Driver/Operator Aerial (DAO), Mayday Firefighter Down, and Hazardous Materials Operations; Current certification as a Virginia Office of EMS (OEMS) Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), or Paramedic. Captains must maintain their OEMS certification and can be cleared by the EMS Physician to function as an attendant in charge.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
– Thorough knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.
– Ability to effectively supervise others during emergencies and non-emergency situations.
– Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of emergency medical services, rescue, fire prevention, fire suppression, fire cause and origin, and hazardous materials mitigation.
– Ability to learn and maintain knowledge of departmental rules and regulations, local geography, safety hazards, firefighting, and rescue resources.
– Thorough knowledge of the use and maintenance of firefighting and emergency medical service equipment and apparatus.

The City of Winchester is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other classification protected by law.