Fire Chief

City of Delta; British Columbia; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A municipal government in British Columbia seeks a Fire Chief to lead the Delta Fire & Emergency Services. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in a senior role within the fire service, overseeing operations and strategic initiatives. Responsibilities include managing fire suppression, emergency response, compliance with safety standards, and budget management. This role requires strong leadership skills and a commitment to community safety and engagement. A degree in a related discipline and significant experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience as a Deputy Chief or senior leadership role managing complex operations.
• Minimum 10–15 years of municipal fire service experience with senior command-level responsibilities.
• Valid BC Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record.

Responsibilities

• Lead Delta Fire & Emergency Services with vision and strategic planning.
• Ensure compliance with provincial and national fire standards.
• Direct all operations for fire suppression and emergency response.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Emergency operations

Labour relations

Public safety communication

Education

Degree in fire science, emergency management, or related discipline

Job description

The City of Delta is seeking an inspiring and strategically minded Fire Chief to lead Delta Fire & Emergency Services and ensure the continued delivery of exceptional public safety services to the community. Reporting to the City Manager, the Fire Chief is a key member of the City’s leadership team and works closely with all levels of staff across the City and the Fire Department. The Fire Chief will lead a dedicated workforce in delivering high-quality fire suppression, emergency medical response, rescue services, and fire prevention programs. This pivotal role is responsible for shaping long-term strategic direction, ensuring operational readiness, and fostering a culture of professionalism, safety, inclusion, and continuous improvement in supporting the protection of the lives, property, and environment of the Delta community.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide vision, executive leadership, and long-term strategic planning for Delta Fire & Emergency Services.
• Work with senior leadership team to ensure Delta Fire is integrated with City operations and services to provide support and expertise on City initiatives.
• Direct and manage all fire department operations, including fire suppression, emergency response, specialty rescue, hazardous materials response, and medical first responder services.
• Ensure compliance with provincial and national standards, including but not limited to the BC Fire Safety Act, BC Office of the Fire Commissioner regulations, WorkSafeBC requirements and the BC Emergency and Disaster Management Act.
• Prepare and manage the Fire Department’s operating and capital budgets.
• Provide expert guidance, support and leadership to Deputy Fire Chiefs and employees, including recruitment, training, performance management, and succession planning.
• Support a positive labour-management environment and participate in collective bargaining and grievance resolution.
• Maintain strong relationships and work collaboratively with City departments, Delta Police, BC Emergency Health Services, provincial agencies, and community organizations.
• Serve as the public spokesperson for the Fire Department and communicate effectively with media, government officials, and the public.
• Represent the municipality on regional and provincial fire service committees and initiatives.

Qualifications & Experience

• Extensive experience as a Deputy Chief or comparable senior leadership role with a proven ability to manage complex operations and department-wide initiatives.
• A diploma or degree in fire science, fire management, emergency management, public/business administration or related discipline.
• Executive Fire Officer, Chief Fire Officer (CFO), or equivalent senior officer credentials preferred.
• Substantial senior leadership experience with a proven track record of success within the Fire service.
• Minimum 10–15 years of progressively responsible experience in a municipal fire service, including senior command-level responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, budget administration, labour relations, emergency operations, and organizational leadership.
• Experience working within a unionized environment required.
• Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s Licence for the province of British Columbia with acceptable safe driving record.

At the City of Delta, we are committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce that is representative of our community, providing equal opportunity and fostering an inclusive workplace where our individual differences are recognized, valued and celebrated.