Fire Chief

Town of Hudson; Hudson (MA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 224,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Hudson is seeking a dynamic Fire Department head to provide strategic leadership and overall administration for fire protection, EMS, training, and community safety. You will manage budgets, projects, and interagency collaborations while serving as Incident Commander for major incidents.

Ideal candidates bring a Ten-year track record in a structured fire service with at least five years in senior command, accredited by state or national bodies, and a Massachusetts EMS/Fire leadership

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field as stated.
• Minimum ten (10) years in a progressive fire department role.
• Five (5) years in senior command or administrative position at Chief Officer level or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Report to Town Manager and lead Fire Department administration and operations.
• Provide strategic leadership for fire suppression, EMS, fire prevention, public education, and preparedness.
• Serve as Incident Commander using NIMS/ICS at emergency scenes and major incidents.
• Oversee EMS services, ensuring regulatory compliance and standards of care.
• Develop and manage Department budgets, long-range financial planning, and resource stewardship.
• Lead labor relations, including bargaining, grievances, and relationships with unions.
• Identify and administer grant opportunities to support operations, staffing, equipment, training, and capital initiatives.
• Collaborate with municipal officials and regional partners to achieve Town objectives.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws and reporting requirements.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Budget planning

Grant writing

Emergency management

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science/Fire Protection/Public Administration/Business Administration

Tools

NIMS/ICS familiarity

Job description

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The Hudson Fire Department is comprised of 1 Deputy Chief, 8 Lieutenants, 33 full-time Firefighters, and 1 Administrative Assistant. Fire protection and emergency response services are provided from two stations: Fire Headquarters and Station #1. Emergency medical transport services are delivered through a contractual partnership with Coastal EMS, LLC.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & DUTIES

• Reports directly to the Town Manager and serves as the department head responsible for the overall administration, operation, planning, and leadership of the Fire Department.
• Provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for all fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical services (EMS), fire prevention, public education, and emergency preparedness operations of the Department.
• Serves as the Incident Commander at emergency scenes and major incidents, utilizing the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) to ensure effective emergency response operations.
• Oversees the delivery and administration of EMS services, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, standards of care, and departmental policies.
• Develops, administers, and manages the Department's operating and capital budgets, including long-range financial planning, fiscal oversight, and responsible stewardship of municipal resources.
• Leads labor-management relations activities, including the administration and negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, grievance resolution, and the maintenance of productive relationships with employee organizations and union leadership.
• Identifies, pursues, prepares, and administers grant applications and funding opportunities to support Department operations, staffing, equipment acquisition, training, and capital initiatives.
• Maintains knowledge of and seeks funding through federal, state, and regional programs, including Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) initiatives such as the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program, Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG), and other emergency preparedness and resilience programs. Develops and implements Department policies, procedures, goals, and strategic initiatives to enhance operational effectiveness, service delivery, and community safety.
• Collaborates with municipal officials, public safety partners, regional organizations, and community stakeholders to achieve departmental and Town objectives.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, standards, and reporting requirements related to fire and emergency medical services operations.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree in Fire Science, Fire Protection, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in an organized fire department, including at least five (5) years in a senior command or administrative position at or above the rank of Assistant Chief, Deputy Chief, Battalion Chief, or an equivalent Chief Officer- level position. An equivalent combination of education, professional experience, specialized training, and demonstrated leadership ability may be considered if it provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Candidates must possess the following professional certifications:

• Massachusetts or Nationally recognized Firefighter I/II certification.
• Massachusetts or Nationally recognized Fire Officer I, II, and III certifications.
• Massachusetts or Nationally recognized Fire Instructor I/II certification.
• Massachusetts or Nationally recognized Fire Prevention Officer Credential

The ideal candidate will have achieved the designation of Accredited Fire Chief through the Massachusetts Fire Service Commission or an equivalent Nationally recognized accrediting organization.

Candidates must have successfully completed the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services Chief Fire Officer Management Training Program, offered in conjunction with the Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management at the University of Massachusetts Boston, or possess National Board or Fire Service Professional Qualifications (Pro Board) Fire Officer IV certification. A valid driver's license is required. Candidates must also possess current Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT

Must establish and maintain residency within fifteen (15) miles, border to border, within one (1) year of appointment.

COMPENSATION

$195,000 +/-. Salary commensurate with experience. Contractual.