Fire Captain - Airport

ruralmetrofire; Tanner (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Rural Metro Fire seeks an Airport Fire Captain to supervise an ARFF/EMS team at Pryor Field Regional Airport in Tanner, AL. You will lead aircraft rescue, firefighting, medical EMS, and training in a 24/7 setting, ensuring readiness and regulatory compliance.

You will manage inspections, coordinate with airport stakeholders, and drive safety programs while maintaining high operational standards and personnel development.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with extensive airport/industrial firefighting experience.
• Must hold multiple NFPA/NIMS certifications listed above.
• Experience supervising and training fire crew on shift.
• Ability to coordinate with FAA, Alabama authorities and airport tenants.

Responsibilities

• Assume command of all actual or simulated emergencies; direct personnel and make tactical decisions.
• Respond to medical emergencies involving airport personnel and the traveling public; provide EMS per protocols.
• Ensure ARFF vehicles and equipment remain in ready condition.
• Complete and document inspections of vehicles and equipment.
• Inspect airport facilities and fueling systems for fire/life-safety hazards.
• Oversee Airport Emergency Plan implementation and coordinate with stakeholders.
• Develop and deliver shift training programs meeting FAA and state requirements.
• Coordinate emergency exercises and mutual aid drills.
• Respond to incidents and support mutual aid as needed.
• Inspect extinguishers, hydrants, connections, systems, doors, and AEDs.
• Supervise personnel: scheduling, evaluations, coaching, and policy adherence.

Skills

ARFF operations

Emergency medical services

Shift management

Training program development

Regulatory compliance

Incident command

Leadership & supervision

Communication

Coaching & evaluations

Education

NIMS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800

NFPA 1001 Firefighter II (Alabama)

NFPA 472 Hazardous Materials-Operations (Alabama)

NFPA 600 Industrial Fire Brigades

NFPA 1710

NFPA 460 Industrial Fire Brigade operations

NFPA 1003 Airport Firefighter (Alabama)

ARFF vehicle operations per NFPA 414

Fire Officer I (NFPA 1021) or higher

Alabama EMT-Basic or higher

Job description

Job Summary:

This position supports Pryor Field Regional Airport in Tanner, Alabama. The Airport Fire Captain is responsible for the overall supervision and operational readiness of an assigned shift, reporting directly to the Airport Fire Chief. The Captain provides leadership and command of aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF), structural firefighting, emergency medical services, rescue operations, hazardous materials response, fire prevention activities, and airport emergency preparedness functions in a 24/7 airport environment. A significant portion of time is dedicated to shift management, personnel development, apparatus and equipment accountability, training oversight, fire and life safety inspections, regulatory compliance, and coordination with airport tenants, fixed-base operators (FBOs), and airport administration.

Examples of What You Will Do

• Assume command of all actual, potential, or simulated aircraft emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, structural fires, rescue incidents, and EMS calls occurring on airport property; direct personnel and make tactical and strategic decisions to ensure safe and effective operations.
• Serve as a first responder to medical emergencies involving airport employees, tenants, visitors, contractors, and the traveling public; provide emergency medical care in accordance with approved medical protocols.
• Ensure all station apparatus, ARFF vehicles, rescue equipment, and reserve equipment remain in a constant state of operational readiness.
• Ensure all required vehicle, equipment, and apparatus inspections are completed and documented.
• Conduct inspections of airport facilities, hangars, fueling systems, fuel trucks, and other airport infrastructure to identify and mitigate fire and life safety hazards.
• Oversee implementation of the Airport Emergency Plan (AEP) and coordinate emergency response activities involving airport stakeholders and mutual aid agencies.
• Develop, coordinate, and deliver training programs for shift personnel while ensuring compliance with FAA, Alabama, and company training requirements.
• Coordinate and participate in emergency preparedness exercises, mutual aid drills, and airport emergency exercises.
• Respond to all emergency and non-emergency incidents occurring on airport property and participate in mutual aid responses as authorized.
• Perform and document inspections of fire extinguishers, fire hydrants, fire department connections, fire protection systems, fire doors, and AEDs.
• Exercise full supervisory authority over assigned personnel, including scheduling, training, performance evaluations, coaching, corrective actions, and implementation of departmental policies and procedures.

Position Minimum Requirements

• Must be a high school graduate or possess a GED certificate. Minimum of five (5) years of experience in airport or industrial firefighting, including at least two (2) years in a supervisory or officer role, is required. Background investigation and pre-employment drug screening is conducted.
• Must have NIMS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800
• Must be certified as an NFPA 1001 Firefighter II in Alabama or have ability to obtain reciprocity.
• Must be certified to the NFPA 472, Hazardous Materials-Operations in Alabama or have ability to obtain reciprocity. Must meet the normative requirements of NFPA 600 (Industrial Fire Brigades), NFPA 1710, and NFPA 460 for industrial fire brigade operations.
• Must be certified as an NFPA 1003 Airport Firefighter by the State of Alabama with current annual live-fire burn or have ability to obtain reciprocity. ARFF vehicle operations per NFPA 414 required.
• Must hold a Fire Officer I certification or higher (NFPA 1021) or ability to obtain within 12 months of hire.
• Must be certified as an Alabama EMT-Basic (or higher) at time of hire. Must maintain EMS certification for the duration of employment. Must be able to operate under the direction of the Rural Metro Fire Medical Director and follow the approved standard of care for patient treatment and transfer.

• Valid driver license with acceptable driving record in accordance with company policy. DUI within last 5 years is disqualifying.
• Must pass company background/criminal history records check.