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Permalink Reply by Jay Nicholson on November 18, 2011 at 9:24pm

• I posted this about a year ago. This is a 3 city JPA but only the command staff is really affected. Each city still has their 'own' FD. 9 engine, 2 trucks  with 1 city running FD ALS and the other 2 private ALS. 3-man engines.
  
  

The new JPA has caused my city to create a B/C position

Function: Under administrative direction, plans, organizes and directs the activities of
personnel engaged in the protection of life and property from losses due to fire, medical and
other emergencies; plans and coordinates department programs such as training, fire
prevention inspections, apparatus, vehicle and station maintenance and operation;
communications activities and other special programs as assigned; performs related work as
required.
Class Characteristics: This class differs from Fire Captain in that its responsibilities are
department or Citywide on a platoon basis rather than multiple company responsibility at a
single station. Assignments are on a shift schedule.
Representative Duties:
• Coordinates activities of a 24-hour fire suppression division during all emergency and nonemergency
activities;
• responsible for division staffing and personnel assignments;
• inspects Fire Department facilities and equipment for repair, cleanliness and routine
maintenance;
• responds to fire and other emergency calls;
• takes command at the scene of an emergency;
• requests assistance from other agencies as needed;
• directs proper cleanup and investigation following the suppression of a fire or other
emergency;
• determines deployment and assignments to provide the fire prevention, suppression and
emergency medical services and to accomplish the objectives of the department;
• reviews work results and reports, makes recommendations for improvement or
commendations;
• directs reporting activities following the suppression of a fire or other emergency;
• assists in the preparation of department budget;
• trains, supervises and evaluates subordinate personnel;
• makes recommendations for disciplinary action as appropriate;
• makes written and oral presentations to the Fire Chief, to other public agencies and to
community groups;may serve as department liaison in its contacts with other City departments, other public
agencies, and vendors;
• assists with planning, organizing, directing and coordinating the activities of the Fire
Department;
• makes recommendations regarding staffing criteria, improving department efficiency,
personnel functions and programs, facility and equipment needs, and reviews and
determines training needs;
• plans, directs and participates in a departmental program for fire prevention inspections;
• prepares analytical and statistical studies, research projects and special projects as
assigned.Contacts and Relationships: The employee has contact with a variety of individuals
representing public and private organizations; works independently in assigned area of
responsibility; deals with Fire Department personnel in a supervisory capacity; and has
considerable contact with the public.
Accountability: Employee is accountable for the efficiency of an assigned shift and quality of
services under direction. Incumbents are responsible for ensuring that activities are carried out
in accordance with State and local laws and ordinances. Employees must demonstrate the
highest degree of ethics and credibility to both the public and Fire Department.
Working Conditions: Employee occasionally must engage in strenuous physical activity
during fire suppression. Work may involve a high degree of concentration, especially in the
consideration of technical and personnel problems and in the origination of programs to
increase departmental efficiency and improvement of services.Physical Condition: Shall possess the physical, mental and emotional ability to perform the
essential duties of the position without the threat of hazard to self or others.Special Requirements: Possession of or ability to obtain certification as a Strike Team Leader
within twelve months of appointment. Possession of or ability to obtain, prior to employment, a
valid Class C California driver's license with a safe driving record.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES
Experience: At least 5 years full-time, paid firefighting experience, including 3 years
experience at the level of Fire Captain.
Education: Educational achievement equivalent to graduation from a community college with
an AA/AS degree in fire science or related field, including course work in supervision and/or
management. Supplemental training in construction, code enforcement, hazardous materials
and related areas desirable.Thorough knowledge of firefighting principles and the techniques used in fire suppression
activities;
familiarity with procedures and training related to an emergency medical services
program;
• ability to demonstrate knowledge of City streets, alleys, commercial and industrial
locations;
• thorough knowledge of City and Fire Department policies and procedures;
• ability to take effective courses of action in emergency situations;
• ability to analyze and evaluate problems of fire administration and management and to
adopt an effective course of action to solve such problems;
• ability to plan, organize and direct the operations of fire companies;
• ability to plan, organize and direct training programs and evaluate their effectiveness;
• ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinate
supervisors, other City employees, other public agencies and the general public;
• ability to assist in preparation of the Fire Department budget;
• demonstrated skill in managing emergency situations;
• ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Abilities/Skills/Knowledge:

• thorough knowledge of City, County, State and Federal laws and regulations pertaining to
fire suppression and prevention;
• thorough knowledge of the operation and maintenance of firefighting and rescue
equipment;
• ability to supervise the rendering of emergency medical services;

Special Requirements: Possession of or ability to obtain certification as a Strike Team Leader
within twelve months of appointment. Possession of or ability to obtain, prior to employment, a
valid Class C California driver's license with a safe driving record.

 

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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on November 19, 2011 at 12:41am

Name of department (if allowed and confirm full-paid)

Green Bay Fire Dept....full career dept

 

Number of stations

Seven

 

Number of personnel on engine company

4 on an engine(7 engines), 3 on a truck(2 FT and 1 pt truck), 2 on an ambulance (4 ambos) 

 

Area of country served

Northeast Wisconsin

Although if asking for service area size, about 54 sq mi

 

Percentage of pay increase

Not much more than Captain

 

Years of service required if applicable

We are a straight seniority system and lieutenants and captains can apply. In our system it takes about 16 to 18 years for one to make LT

 

Years required in rank as Captain

Zero

 

Educational requirements (and/or combination of this and above)

Now, degree preferred, be it associates (min) or bachelors. Testing consists of written test, oral interview, and assessment center evaluation.

 

If you desire, your opinion on result of these requirements on people promoted, or interested in the position

At this point I see some of the educational requirements hindering some good captains and lieutenants with years of experience from moving into such a position. Since they didn't need degrees to get hired and being a straight seniority system, imposing such education requirements recently now reduces a quality candidate pool. In years down the road, this will be a wash, but perhaps too much emphasis is placed on a piece of paper vs experiences.

 

Meanwhile, the testing itself is pretty good and goes beyond just the most senior person applying for the position. The assessment center gives a better insight in command scenarios etc and should be taken advantage of.

 

 

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