POSITION SUMMARY
The Fire Lieutenant is a supervisory role responsible for the day-to-day oversight of their assigned shift and crew. Working under the direction of a Fire Captain, the Lieutenant ensures that all personnel operate safely and efficiently during emergency responses, training, and station duties. This position plays a key role in leadership, accountability, and mentoring firefighters, and is instrumental in maintaining operational readiness throughout the 48-hour shift.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
This class specification lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not all-inclusive. Incumbent(s) may be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge and skills.
- Supervise and lead assigned personnel during emergency and non-emergency activities.
- Ensure daily shift reports, incident reports, training records, and personnel documentation are accurate and submitted in a timely manner.
- Conduct daily briefings, equipment checks, and readiness inspections at the start of each shift.
- Direct response efforts at emergency scenes until relieved by a higher-ranking officer.
- Mentor, evaluate, and provide guidance to firefighters; assist in developing their skills and ensuring adherence to department policies.
- Coordinate and conduct regular training drills, inspections, and continuing education.
- Enforce station policies, safety standards, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Maintain knowledge of current fire suppression, EMS protocols, rescue techniques, and hazardous materials response.
- Communicate effectively with dispatch, command staff, and mutual aid partners during operations.
- Oversee station maintenance, apparatus readiness, and cleanliness throughout the shift.
QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Education and Experience: High school diploma or GED required, associate’s degree in Fire Science or related field preferred. Minimum of 5 years of firefighting experience; prior supervisory experience strongly preferred.
Special Qualifications:
All Job Requirements of Chester County Firefighter II Position in addition to:
- Valid Driver’s License
- NFA Preparation for Initial Company Operations (PICO)
- NFA Strategies and Tactics for Initial Company Operations (STICO)
- NFA Decision Making for Initial Company Operations (DMICO)
Required Knowledge and Skills:
- Strong leadership and decision-making abilities under pressure.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to maintain discipline, morale, and high performance within the crew.
- Competence in using incident management systems and report-writing software.
- Thorough knowledge of department protocols, firefighting strategy/tactics, and emergency scene safety.
- Works a 48/96 shift schedule (48 hours on-duty, 96 hours off-duty).
- Exposure to extreme temperatures, hazardous environments, and physically demanding tasks.
- Required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and maintain physical fitness.
Evaluation:
- Performance is evaluated by the Fire Captain through observation, review of reports, training outcomes, and overall shift effectiveness.