Site Fire Chief

POSITION SUMMARY

The Site Fire Chief provides overall leadership, operational command, and administrative management of Rural Metro Fire (RMF) emergency services assigned to the Panasonic industrial facility in De Soto, Kansas. The Chief is responsible for personnel readiness, consistent service delivery, client coordination, training and competency, emergency response planning, equipment and station readiness, and compliance with the approved RMF/client scope of work. The Chief reports through RMF management and serves as the primary onsite RMF representative to the client.

Department leadership and contract performance

• Lead, coach, supervise, and evaluate assigned personnel and Captains; establish clear expectations, accountability, succession development, and a unified departmental culture across all shifts.
• Develop and oversee duty rosters, minimum staffing compliance, payroll/timekeeping accuracy, leave coverage, attendance, recruiting, and onboarding; report staffing or qualification shortfalls promptly.
• Manage the site operating budget and RMF resources with emphasis on financial stewardship; coordinate requested additions or changes in service through authorized RMF/client representatives.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, RMF policies, client safety and security requirements, emergency response plans, and contract deliverables; investigate concerns and track corrective actions to closure.

Emergency management and operational readiness

• Lead incident command, or designate command when appropriate, for fires, emergency medical incidents, hazardous materials releases, and other events within the team’s authorized response capabilities.
• Maintain incident command procedures, personnel accountability, emergency communications, pre-incident plans, tactical guidelines, facility access plans, evacuation interfaces, and mutual aid coordination.
• Oversee condition, testing, maintenance, and operational status of apparatus, station facilities, PPE, SCBA, monitoring equipment, and other assigned equipment; remove unsafe equipment from service and ensure corrective follow-up.
• Coordinate familiarization with facility processes and hazards, including battery manufacturing/storage hazards, high-energy electrical systems, process utilities, hazardous chemicals, and installed fire protection systems as applicable to site operations.

Training, prevention and continuous improvement

• Establish and document an annual training and competency program consistent with assigned response functions, NFPA/OSHA requirements, RMF policies, and the approved client scope.
• Ensure timely credential and EMS certification verification, medical/respiratory clearance, driver qualifications, performance evaluations, and remedial training where required.
• Plan and evaluate response exercises, facility drills, and multi-agency coordination; lead after-action reviews and translate findings into corrective actions.
• Oversee assigned safety inspections, fire protection system familiarization, hazard surveys, prevention education, and pre-incident plan updates without assuming regulatory enforcement authority unless separately granted.

Client relations, reporting and coordination

• Serve as the primary RMF operational contact for authorized Panasonic representatives and coordinate with facility EHS, security, maintenance, emergency management, contractors, and external responders.
• Prepare and review incident reports, monthly performance reports, annual summary reports, inspection and training records, staffing reports, and other assigned client/RMF deliverables.
• Identify emerging hazards, resource needs, operational deficiencies, and service opportunities; recommend documented solutions to RMF leadership and the client.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or GED; bachelor’s degree in fire science, emergency management, public administration, management, or related field, OR at least 10 years of progressively responsible related experience, OR an equivalent combination.
• Documented Chief Officer or comparable senior emergency services leadership experience managing a fire/EMS response organization and first-line supervisors.
• Firefighter I and II credentials (NFPA 1010 or accepted legacy NFPA 1001 equivalent); Fire Officer I and II credentials (NFPA 1020 or accepted legacy NFPA 1021 equivalent).
• Hazardous Materials Operations qualification consistent with NFPA 470 or recognized predecessor standard; documented industrial emergency response competency consistent with assigned NFPA 600 / NFPA 1081 functions.
• Completed NIMS/ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800 training or RMF-accepted equivalent, with demonstrated incident-command proficiency.
• Valid driver’s license and eligibility to drive assigned vehicles; ability to satisfy RMF/client employment screening and job-related medical requirements.
• Demonstrated competence in emergency plans, labor scheduling, employee coaching, budgeting, documentation, client relationships, and applicable regulatory requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Fire Officer III; Fire Instructor I or higher; Live Fire Instructor; Fire Inspector I; advanced industrial fire brigade leadership training.
• Current Kansas EMT certification when the Chief will personally provide patient care; otherwise an EMT credential is preferred.
• Hazardous Materials Technician, technical rescue qualifications, emergency management planning, and experience with large industrial or battery manufacturing facilities.

PHYSICAL, SAFETY & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Ability, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform essential management and incident-command duties at an operating industrial site, including walking long distances, climbing stairs, working around noise and heat, and remaining alert during extended incidents.
• When assigned to interior firefighting or other strenuous tactical activities, maintain medical clearance, fitness, PPE/SCBA qualification, and all role-specific training required by RMF and applicable law.

EMPLOYMENT & OPERATIONAL CONDITIONS

• Full-time role with 12 hour shifts; availability for emergency response, major incidents, exercises, and occasional travel for training or RMF business.
• This position is safety-sensitive and is subject to RMF and applicable client drug and alcohol rules, as permitted by law; employees must maintain confidentiality of personnel, medical, operational, and client information.

CREDENTIALS & SCOPE CLARIFICATION

Recognized Firefighter, Fire Officer, and HazMat certifications issued by an authorized state or accredited/recognized certifying body (including IFSAC or Pro Board where applicable) may be accepted based on RMF verification. Specialized rescue, HazMat technician work, and clinical care are performed only when the responder is trained, equipped, authorized, and operating within the approved response plan.

POSITION DESCRIPTION NOTICE  This description summarizes essential responsibilities and is not an employment contract. Duties may evolve under RMF policy, site emergency response plans, client-approved scope of work, and applicable law. Reasonable accommodations will be considered in accordance with applicable law.