Deputy Fire Chief - Charlton, MA

The Deputy Fire Chief is the Department’s second-in-command and is responsible for assisting the Fire Chief in the leadership, administration, and management of all Fire Department operations, including fire suppression, emergency medical services, rescue, hazardous materials, fire prevention, and emergency management.

The Deputy Fire Chief serves as Acting Fire Chief in the Chief’s absence and provides executive-level leadership to ensure operational readiness, regulatory compliance, fiscal responsibility, and continuous service improvement.

This position is a senior command officer responsible for supporting the Department’s mission, strategic objectives, and professional standards while maintaining strong working relationships with municipal leadership, partner agencies, and the community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Command & Emergency Operations

• Responds to major alarms, critical incidents, and emergencies during on-duty and off duty hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as directed by the Fire Chief.
• Serves in an on-call command capacity and assumes Incident Command when required.
• Coordinates daily operations of fire suppression, EMS, rescue, hazardous materials, and special operations.
• Serves as a member of the Incident Command Staff in roles including Incident Commander,Operations, Safety, or Planning.

Administration & Management

• Conducts and oversees internal investigations, grievance reviews, disciplinary inquiries, and complaint resolution in coordination with the Fire Chief and Human Resources.
• Assists in the development, updating, and enforcement of Department policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and Standard Operating Guidelines/Procedures (SOG/SOP).
• Conducts post-incident analysis, after-action reports (AAR), and operational critiques; prepares formal findings and improvement recommendations.
• Provides mentoring, coaching, and leadership development for officers and personnel.
• Prepares reports, grants, procurement documents, and bid specifications.
• Assists the Fire Chief in the preparation and administration of the Department’s operating and capital budgets.
• Oversees maintenance of Department facilities, apparatus, equipment, and records.

Personnel, Training & Safety

• Supervises and evaluates Department personnel and participates in recruitment, hiring, and promotional processes.
• Oversees Department training programs, certifications, and professional development.
• Serves as Department Safety Officer and manages health, wellness, and risk-reduction initiatives.

Fire Investigation & Fire Prevention Continuity

• May act as the Department liaison to the State Fire Marshal’s Office, law enforcement agencies, insurance investigators, and allied agencies.
• Reviews investigative findings and ensures corrective actions, safety improvements, and code compliance recommendations are implemented.
• Performs the duties of the Fire Inspector during the Inspector’s absence, including inspections, plan review, permitting, and enforcement functions as required.

Emergency Management & Interagency Coordination

• Assists the Fire Chief with emergency management planning, disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
• Represents the Department at municipal, regional, state, and federal meetings and committees as directed by the Fire Chief.
• Maintains partnerships with mutual aid agencies and Town departments.

• Supervision Received: Works under the general administrative direction of the Fire Chief.
• Supervision Exercised: Supervises all personnel below the rank of Deputy Fire Chief, directly or through subordinate officers.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (or enrolled) in Fire Science, Public Administration, Emergency Management, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in an organized fire department, with at least the most recent seven (7) years consisting of full-time experience in a supervisory capacity.

Certifications & Licenses

• Successful completion of the Massachusetts Fire Academy Career Recruit Training Program or an equivalent program.
• Pro Board Firefighter I/II certifications.
• Fire Officer I/ II certifications required; Fire Officer III preferred.
• Valid Massachusetts Class D motor vehicle operator’s license.
• Current Massachusetts EMT certification, Paramedic preferred.
• Pro Board Hazardous Materials Operations–level certification.
• Successful completion of NIMS 700 and 800, and ICS 100, 200, and 300 is required; ICS 400 preferred.
• Chief Fire Officer certification required within twenty-four (24) months of appointment.
• Fire Prevention Officer (FPO) Basic certification.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Modern firefighting principles, practices, equipment, and techniques.
• Massachusetts Statewide EMS Protocols.
• The Town of Charlton and its geographic layout.
• Local, state, and federal bylaws, regulations, statutes, and laws, including the
• Massachusetts Fire Code.
• Municipal finance, budgeting, and procurement policies and procedures.
• Fire Department policies and procedures.
• Computer systems and software applicable to fire department operations.
• Emergency management, disaster preparedness, and interagency coordination.
• Strong leadership, communication, budgeting, and personnel management skills.
• Ability to conduct objective investigations, prepare formal reports, and provide documentation or testimony as required.
• Ability to mentor and develop supervisory staff and future command officers.

Work Schedule & Environment

• Required to work beyond normal business hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, declared emergencies, and to attend meetings, hearings, and community functions as directed by the Fire Chief.
• Works in both office and hazardous field environments with exposure to emergency conditions, extreme weather, smoke, heat, and hazardous materials.

Physical Demands

• Must meet physical requirements necessary to perform emergency response and administrative duties, including lifting, carrying, climbing, and operating firefighting and EMS equipment.

The Town is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.