Assistant Fire Chief

National Institutes of Health; Maryland; Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

National Institutes of Health is seeking an Assistant Fire Chief (GS-0081-11) to lead a platoon within the NIH Fire and Rescue Services. The role includes acting as an assistant to the NIH Fire Chief, supervising a shift, and managing all administrative and operational aspects of fire and rescue operations.

The incumbent will serve as a platoon Incident Commander on hazardous materials, complex rescue, and emergency medical incidents, coordinating drills and response strategies across NIH

Qualifications

• Experience providing leadership to firefighters performing emergency duties of a specialized and hazardous nature.
• Knowledgeable in emergency response operations and incident management.
• EMT-BLS training and ability to respond to medical emergencies in high-stress environments.
• Familiarity with fire protection systems, drills, and rescue operations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as assistant to the NIH Fire Chief and supervise one of two shifts.
• Oversee administrative and operational activities of the platoon.
• Act as platoon Incident Commander on complex incidents including hazardous materials and specialized rescues.
• Plan and conduct drills covering rescue operations, hose operations, and entry tools.
• Respond to emergencies in laboratories, clinics, and related facilities; ensure safety of irreplaceable data and equipment.

Skills

Leadership

Emergency response

Incident command

Hazardous materials

EMT-BLS

Tools

Firefighting equipment

Job description

If you have experience providing leadership to firefighters performing emergency duties of a specialized and hazardous nature, and are a knowledgeable, talented, and motivated individual, consider joining the Division of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS). This position is located in the Division of Fire and Rescue Services, Security and Emergency Response, Office of the Director, Office of Research Services (ORS).

Duties

If selected for this position as a GS-0081-11, Assistant Fire Chief your duties may include, but are not limited to the following: The entire Division of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS) is divided into two platoons, which alternately staff the NIH firefighting and emergency response services. The incumbent serves as an assistant to the Chief, Division of Fire and Rescue Services (NIH Fire Chief) and serves in that capacity during his absence. Serves as supervisor in charge of one of those two platoons and has total responsibility for both the administrative and operational activities of his/her shift. Is responsible for the overall technical and administrative management of his/her platoon in all areas of emergency response including staffing, assignment of personnel, and assisting in the performance evaluation of personnel on his/her platoon. Serves as the platoon Incident Commander on incidents involving chemicals, biological agents, radiological agents, and specialized rescue emergencies. Knowledgeable in the use of chemicals in extinguishing fires, familiar with all the buildings on the installation and their contents, the location of all the fire alarm boxes, fire hydrants, sprinkler systems, smoke detection systems, standpipe and fire department connections, and their locations. Plans, directs, and participates in all drills which include rescue operations, lay and operation of hose lines; raising and turning of roof and extension ladders; operation and use of the foam generator, breathing apparatus, light and heavy rescue equipment; handling of hazardous materials incidents; use of forcible entry tools; and salvage operations. As an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) with Basic Life Support training, responds to medical emergencies; at times working under severe conditions and circumstances in providing emergency treatment and stabilization of the critically ill or injured. Performs work in a complex environment involving a substantial number and diversity of hazards in research laboratories, patient care areas, hospital clinics, surgical suites, libraries, a large computer research center, animal areas, offices, industrial areas, etc. Therefore, must be thoroughly familiar with, and exercise extreme care when responding to these highly specialized areas, in order not to exacerbate the emergency, and to avoid loss of irreplaceable research data, rare medical literature, and valuable equipment.