Battalion Chief

PURPOSE:

1. Primary duty is to command and assume responsibility of all responding fire department forces operating at the scene of emergencies until relieved by a superior ranking officer.
2. Secondary duty is to administer activities for assigned shift.
3. Duties include the management of shift staffing, maintenance of discipline, establishment and monitoring of battalion and department policies, coordination of training sessions, plus the maintenance of high standards of performance for personnel, equipment and quarters.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Size-up incidents to determine the most effective, efficient and safe use of personnel, equipment and apparatus to control fire and emergency situations in accordance with Menomonee Falls policies and procedures.
2. Assume and retains command at the scene of an emergency incident until the arrival of a superior officer.
3. Function as the shift Incident Safety Officer (ISO).
4. May determine the cause of an emergency incident, estimate fire loss and must complete the necessary reports and records in the Department's database.
5. Maintain daily management of shift staffing assignments, equipment, apparatus and quarters.
6. Ensure all stations are properly staffed.
7. Mentor, coach, and counsel personnel on a consistent basis.
8. Accountable for the timely submission of all reports and records on the shift and the accuracy of the same.
9. Establish rules for the conduct of quarter's activities, consistent with regulations prescribed in Department SOPs and ASOP's.
10. Supervise full-time and part-time personnel in the performance of their duties both during non-emergency activities, and during emergency incidents utilizing the Incident Command System (ICS).
11. Handle community complaints, including determining whether to refer such complaints up the chain of command for further investigation.
12. Coordinate drills and training sessions as prescribed or needed.
13. Supervises and inspects for compliance in the maintenance of company quarters and equipment.
14. Coordinate in service inspections of properties within his/her purview.
15. May prefer charges and take disciplinary action in cases of specific and direct violation of rules and regulations.
16. Conduct personnel performance reviews and submits review reports on all shift company officers.
17. May be detailed to perform public education assignments.
18. May be assigned to investigate incidents involving department vehicles and equipment.
19. Required to act independently of supervision in both emergency and non-emergency situations.
20. Other duties as assigned.

At time of hire:

1. Be at least 18 years of age.
2. Hold a valid State of Wisconsin driver's license.
3. Have a minimum of 8 years firefighting/EMS experience with at least 2 years managerial or supervisory experience.
4. Hold the following State of Wisconsin certifications and license:
   1. Fire Officer II
   2. Driver/Operator - Pumper &Aerial
   3. AEMT
   4. ISO
5. Hold an associate degree (2 yr) from an accredited college.
6. Or, any equivalent combination of experience, education, and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job.
7. Additional preferred certifications:
   1. Associate or bachelor's degree in Fire Science or a closely related field.
   2. Fire Inspector I
   3. Emergency Services Instructor I
   4. Paramedic

Below is the anticipated timeline for this recruitment:

1. There are physical demands that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
2. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable persons with disabilities to perform essential functions.
   1. Standing, walking and sitting.
   2. Stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling.
   3. Running, grappling, climbing, balancing and bending /twisting.

1. Reaching, feeling, talking and hearing.
2. Lifting, carrying, pushing / pulling: 100 pounds or more.
3. Handling, grasping and fingering: fire hose, ladders, performing CPR, utilizing patient lifting devices.

1. The Battalion Chief's position is that of an administrator and supervisor.
2. Therefore, the Battalion Chief must possess knowledge of these physical abilities without necessarily performing these acts personally.
   1. Stamina - vent a roof, pull charged hose line, strip roof with tools, climb stairs with equipment, carry hose up multiple flights.
   2. Extent flexibility - roll/pull hose, remove ceiling with poles, push ladder to peak, reach out from ladder, chop with axe, extricate victim, overhaul a burned building, remove building parts.
   3. Dynamic flexibility - chop with axe, pick up hose, advance hose, strip roof, perform CPR/chest compressions.
   4. Static strength - carry hose, lift/carry victim/patient, move charged hose, lift ladder, move portable generator.
   5. Explosive strength - force entry with axe battering ram, raise ladder, run upstairs with equipment, breach walls, pull advance hose, chop with axe to vent roof.
   6. Dynamic strength - climb ladders/stairs in full protective clothing (turnout) with equipment, climb aerial ladder.
   7. Trunk strength - pull charged hose, perform CPR, pick up equipment at fire, hold hose on fire target, lift victim.
   8. Speed limb movement - dodge debris, chop with axe, don SCBA, exit burning building, operate aerial apparatus, perform CPR, operate/drive apparatus.
   9. Gross body coordination - climb/descend with victim, advance charged hose line while maintaining flow on target, walk across roof ridge, start/use power saw.
   10. Gross body equilibrium - walk on icy roof peak at night, carry patient downstairs, swing axe from ladder.
   11. Arm-hand steadiness - operate power tools, connect hose couplings, perform CPR, take blood pressures (BP)/pulse, start an intravenous line, apply traction to limb/neck of victim.
   12. Manual dexterity - couple hose, perform CPR, bandage patient, use tools/extrication equipment, use bag-valve ventilator, tie knots, use SCBA.
   13. Finger dexterity - use SCBA equipment, tie knots, maintain/open airway, bandage patient, remove object from patient airway with Magill Forceps, tie knots, perform infant PR.
   14. Near vision - read manuals/pump control panel, patient assessment.
   15. Far vision - drive to an emergency, visualization of fire conditions, see power lines for safe ladder placement, see addresses.
   16. Visual color discrimination - determine fire status/hazards by smoke color, identify labels and placards, assess patient.
   17. Hearing - hear call for help in burning building, hear fire crackle in dense smoke, hear BP.

1. Mobility - advance hose line, climb ladder, search/rescue in building, move on roof, get on/off equipment.
2. Effort - chop/vent roof, overhaul burned buildings, advance charged hose line upstairs, climb stairs/ladder, use axe.

1. ENVIRONMENTAL/WORKINGCONDITIONS:
   1. Outside workplace environment that is confined.
   2. Exposure to extreme cold, hot and normal temperatures.
   3. Contact with water and liquids.
   4. Exposure to loud noise with a minimum of 90 decibels and vibrations from tools, equipment, machinery, etc.
   5. Exposure to hazardous conditions such as mechanical/electrical, chemical, burns, explosives, heights, physical injury, and fast-moving vehicles.
   6. Exposure to atmospheric conditions such as fumes, gases, noxious odors, dust, poor ventilation.
   7. Exposure to blood borne pathogens: blood on self and clothing from emergency medical service (EMS) related calls.
2. EQUIPMENT USED:
   1. Calculator, copy machine, computer, fax machine, telephone, two-way radio.
   2. Power tools, hand tools, chain saws, shovels, brooms, ladders, exhaust fans, hose and nozzles, and meters/detection equipment.
   3. Emergency medical equipment on the ambulance, ambulance cot, stair chair, oxygen, and IV supplies.
   4. Car, mini pumper, pickup truck, van, ambulance, lawn mower, and snowblower.
   5. Breathing apparatus, hearing and eye protection, firefighting protective equipment clothing, canister/filter breathing mask, and hazardous chemical clothing.
   6. Other equipment as required.