Fire Captain

General Statement of Duties

Performs difficult public safety, fire prevention, rescue, emergency medical response and supervisory responsibilities in the fire station on an assigned shift.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class supervises and participates in operations at the fire station on an assigned shift and may supervise staff at both stations on an assigned shift. The employee leads the shift in the protection of life and property and emergency response including fire suppression, emergency medical response, hazardous materials response/mitigation, technical rescue, and related activities. Other duties include supervising and participating in maintenance of station apparatus, equipment, facilities, and grounds; preparation of fire reports; reviewing and approving staff leave requests and timesheets; various projects for the department requiring coordination of staff; and related activities.  Work requires that the employee stay abreast of state-of-the-art fire, hazardous materials, and rescue procedures, techniques, and equipment and requires the employee to incorporate the necessary changes into in-service training. Judgment and ability to make effective decisions under pressure are required, particularly in directing staff in incident response. The employee is subject to the hazards associated with incident response work including working in inside and outside environments, working at heights, in extreme hot and cold temperatures, loud noise, vibration, moving parts, electrical current, high heat, chemicals, fumes, odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation, oils, wearing respirators, and working in close quarters.  Employees are also subject to the final OSHA standards on blood borne pathogens.  Work is performed under general supervision and is evaluated through observation, conferences, and written reports concerning the quality and effectiveness of incident response.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Tasks

Supervises fire personnel assigned to station(s) on the shift ensuring effective utilization of staff, and maintenance of equipment, and facilities; inspects personnel, stations, and equipment for proper appearance and condition.

Supervises and participates in response to alarms and directs incidence response operations as required; leads in response to structural, vehicle, or brush fires; emergency medical services; hazardous materials response/mitigation; technical rescue including vehicle/machinery rescue, confined space rescue, high/low angle rope rescue and surface water rescue.

Supervises and participates in preparation of reports on incidents and response; supervises and participates in pre-incident planning and preparation of pre-plan records.

 Supervises and participates in maintaining equipment in good operating condition; assigns, supervises, and participates in routine maintenance tasks related to equipment, stations, and grounds.

Coordinates various projects requiring organization of staff such as training, equipment maintenance, safety, hose testing, pumper testing, communications equipment maintenance, hydrant maintenance, etc.

Participates in providing educational programs, tours, and information to the public; may participate or lead installation of smoke detectors in homes or installation of child safety seats in vehicles.

Participates in planning, coordinating and conducting staff training; conducts performance coaching and evaluation; reviews, approves, and signs staff timesheets; participates in disciplinary actions and accident reviews.

May perform special projects or assignments such as recruitment and retention, fire prevention, fleet maintenance coordination, special purchasing, special public educational or fire prevention training, or other special assignments.

Performs or oversees incident reporting and creation and maintenance of other records and reports.

Additional Job Duties

Performs related duties as required.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines

Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of modern methods of fire suppression, incidence response, hazardous materials response, and of the use and maintenance of related apparatus and equipment.

Thorough knowledge consistent with required emergency medical certification level.

Thorough knowledge of departmental rules and regulations.

Thorough knowledge of the physical layout of the City and related facilities.

Considerable knowledge of required technical rescue methods.

Knowledge of the application of information technology to fire service and management.

Knowledge of modern supervisory principles of motivation, leadership, communications, conflict resolution, and performance development.

Ability to effectively plan, prepare, and conduct in-service training on firefighting, rescue, incident response, and equipment operations for public safety personnel.

Ability to provide coaching, technical advice, and training of employees.

Ability provide leadership and inspire calm control while supervising emergency incident scenes.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, and members of the public.

Ability to make sound judgments in emergency situations.

Ability to prepare and maintain a variety of records and reports.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to physically perform the basic life functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, and hearing.

Must be able to perform heavy work exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Must possess visual acuity to size up the color, volume, and extent of fire involvement in structures, to operate heavy fire apparatus in emergency situations, and to prepare records and reports.

Desirable Education and Experience

Graduation from a community college with a degree in fire science of related field supplemented by advanced courses and seminars in fire service; and considerable experience of an increasingly responsible nature in the fire service; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Special Requirements

Possession of a valid class B North Carolina driver's license.

Possession of Driver Operator/Pumps and/or Aerial certification.

Possession of Emergency Vehicle Driver certification.

Possession of EMT certification.

Promotional Process for Fire Captain

1. Notice of competitive process

Qualifying candidates wishing to compete in this process should submit their resume to Interim Fire Chief Alex Hardee. 

      II Eligibility to Compete in Process

In order to compete in the promotional process, candidates must meet the promotional requirements below.  

1. A minimum of 8 years career fire service experience.
2. Completion of NCOSFM & DOT certification Firefighter, EMT, and Driver Operator Pumps and Aerials.
3. Completion of North Carolina Technical Rescuer and TR Vehicle Rescue or equivalent.
4. Completion of ICS 100, 200, 300, 700, 800
5. Completion of NC Fire Officer Level I or equivalent
6. Completion of NC Instructor Level I or equivalent
7. Candidates will be required to complete a Belmont Fire Department driver competency test to include written and practical testing.

     III Process Components/Scoring

   Written Test 50%

   Written test based off Fire Officer curriculum and City of Belmont Policies and Procedures Manual. 

   (Timed 1½ hours to Complete)

  Fire Problem Exercise 30%

Candidates will be given a set of written instructions and a period of time to prepare for the presentation of an action plan to mitigate an incident.  Candidates must make a presentation to a panel of assessors

Panel Interview 20%

Candidates will be asked several standardized questions.  A panel of assessors will evaluate the candidates.  

IV Relevant Factor Points

Education

2 points will be awarded for a BS Degree in Fire Related field.

1½ point will be awarded for a BS Degree in Non- Fire Related field.

1 point will be awarded for an AS Degree in Fire Related field.

½ point will be awarded for an AS Degree in Non- Fire Related field.

Specialty Certifications

Points will be added for each of the following certifications.

1. Level II Fire Instructor- 1 point
2. Confined Space Specialty- 1 point
3. Trench Specialty- 1 point
4. TR Water Rescue Block- 1point
5. NC Life Safety Educator I-1 point
6. Fire Inspector Level II- 2 points
7. Fire Inspector Level III- 2 points
8. Structural Collapse Specialty- 1 point
9. NC Live Burn Instructor- 1 point
10. Fire Inspector 1- 2 points

1.  Questions concerning this process can be directed to Division Chief Jeffrey Isenhour at

1.        Written Test Date:  To be announced.

Assessment Center: To be announced.