Fire Chief

Providence for All; Providence (RI); On-site; USD 215,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

The Morales Administration seeks a Fire Chief to lead the Providence Fire Department, directing operations, personnel, training, and fiscal administration to advance public safety. The role requires executive leadership in policy, budgeting, and interagency collaboration to keep the city safe and well-served.

This executive position emphasizes community partnerships, EMS integration, and transparent governance, with a focus on responsive service and professional standards across all

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Fire Science, Public or Business Administration or related field.
• Progressive, responsible experience in a fire service management position of comparable complexity.
• Thorough knowledge of modern firefighting techniques.
• Ability to direct and coordinate firefighting activities.
• Experience in emergency medical services (EMS) knowledge is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Control, manage, and direct all functions of the Fire Department, including rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Administer policy for all phases of Fire Department operations.
• Evaluate training needs, approve programs, and develop personnel.
• Maintain and manage buildings, facilities, equipment, and supplies.
• Maintain on-duty personnel and equipment for emergency response.
• Integrate EMS across relevant components of fire services.
• Dispatch apparatus in accordance with mutual agreements and city protections.
• Maintain discipline and ensure due process in the department.
• Hire and promote personnel through supervision and delegation.
• Conduct regular meetings, receive records, and review performance.
• Provide monthly reports to the Commissioner of Public Safety.
• Develop budgets and project expenditures for staffing and equipment.
• Cooperate with civic groups and community partners.
• Stay updated on fire service procedures through education and conferences.
• Build positive management and labor relations based on trust and transparency.

Skills

Fire leadership

Emergency management

Budgeting

Policy implementation

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Fire Science, Public or Business Administration

Job description

About the Morales Administration

The Morales Administration is working to build A Providence for All—a city government that delivers effective, accessible, and responsive services to every resident. Its priorities include making Providence a city where families can afford to live and feel safe. They also include supporting public schools and young people, taking a community-centered approach to public safety grounded in prevention, compassion, and accountability, and keeping public spaces open to everyone. We are building a city government that listens to neighbors, shows up in every neighborhood, and works openly with the residents it serves. Every city employee contributes to this mission. We welcome people committed to public service, treating others with dignity and respect, and helping make our city work better for everyone.

About the Office

The Providence Fire Department, established in 1854, is the second oldest continuously operating professional fire department in the country. It is a full-service fire and emergency medical services agency that provides basic and advanced life support, fire prevention and code enforcement, fire suppression, technical rescue, hazardous materials response, and marine operations from twelve fire stations across the city. The Department also conducts arson investigations and building plan reviews, enforces state and local fire and life safety codes, and administers public fire education programs. The Morales Administration is committed to a community-centered approach to public safety that combines effective emergency response, violence prevention, accountability, and restorative practices. It is also committed to making sure first responders have the resources they need.

About the Role

Pursuant to Section 1001(b) of the Providence Home Rule Charter, the Fire Chief is appointed by and serves under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Safety as the chief executive officer of the Providence Fire Department. The Fire Chief provides executive leadership and oversight of departmental operations, personnel, training, fiscal administration, and emergency preparedness. The Fire Chief ensures operational readiness, implements departmental policies, and advances the City's public safety priorities in accordance with applicable laws, collective bargaining agreements, and directives of the Commissioner of Public Safety.

This role will help advance the administration's priorities, including:

• Ensure firefighters have the facilities, equipment, and resources they need to keep Providence safe, including safe, modern fire stations, working closely with firefighters and the City to identify needs.
• Collaborate with the Public Safety Commissioner, the Police Department, the Emergency Management Agency, and other partners, and develop and expand community partnerships and interagency cooperation, for a more coordinated, transparent, and effective public safety system.
• Collaborate with Providence Public Schools, Human Resources, and other partners to build pathways into the department for Providence residents, including the Central High School Career and Technical Education Firefighter Program, so the workforce reflects the community it serves.
• Serve the public in a professional, effective, and compassionate manner, so all neighbors can seek emergency assistance and engage with City services without fear, with culturally competent and language-accessible service.
• Support innovative training, technology, and practices, along with public fire education and fire prevention programs, that keep every neighborhood safe.

This description outlines the general nature and key responsibilities of the role and is not intended to be exhaustive; duties, responsibilities, and activities may be modified at the discretion of the Mayor and/or Commissioner of Public Safety.

Core responsibilities include:

1. Control, manage, and direct all functions of the Fire Department, including the establishment of rules, regulations, and procedures.
2. Administer policy for all phases of Fire Department operations consistent with efficient fire prevention and fire control programs.
3. Evaluate training needs, approve training programs, and provide for training and development of all Department personnel.
4. Maintain and manage all buildings, facilities, apparatus, equipment, supplies, and other property owned by or assigned to the Fire Department.
5. Maintain a sufficient complement of on-duty personnel and equipment for the mitigation of emergency incidents.
6. Pre-plan for fire attack and control, and integrate and oversee the procedures of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) into all relevant components of the fire services.
7. Authorized to dispatch apparatus to any City or Town outside the corporate limits of the City of Providence, consistent with the terms of any Mutual Agreement with other Cities or Towns and collective bargaining agreement, provided that the protection to life and property within the City of Providence is not unreasonably diminished.
8. Maintain discipline fairly and consistently, and may impose penalties upon any member of the Providence Fire Department for any violation of the rules and regulations, consistent with the terms of any applicable collective bargaining unit and/or due process of law.
9. Hire and promote personnel through evaluation, direct supervision, and the delegation of responsibility to subordinate officers.
10. Conduct regularly scheduled meetings with subordinate officers to provide direction, general guidance, discuss problems, and plan activities. Receive daily records and monthly reports from subordinate officers.
11. Provide monthly reports to the Commissioner of Public Safety as well as performing the duties of an executive officer to the Commissioner of Public Safety by implementing all orders and directives, enforcing all policies, and efficiently performing and discharging all obligations imposed upon the Commissioner.
12. Evaluate budgets from subordinate officers and incorporate them into a recommended annual budget; determine cost expenditure for increases in personnel and equipment; project capital expenditures and prepare budget estimates for the normal budgetary procedures involving staffing, equipment, utilities, and supplies.
13. Cooperate with civic group activities and community partners.
14. Keep abreast of new procedures in fire service by reading periodicals and attending conferences and seminars.
15. Build positive management and labor relationships based on mutual trust, respect, and transparency.
16. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Fire Science, Public or Business Administration or a related field and/or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Progressive, responsible experience in a fire service management position in an organization of comparable complexity
• Thorough knowledge of modern fire-fighting techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to direct and coordinate fire-fighting activities.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergencies and maintain discipline with subordinates.
• Demonstrated administrative skills including the ability to prepare accurate reports.
• Training in and demonstration of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) knowledge. Previous work experience in EMS is strongly recommended
• Participation in the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program is preferred

Reports to: Commissioner of Public Safety

Labor Status: Non-Union

Employment Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Rate of Pay: $214,619 – $220,339 (SRC)

Benefits: Please see description of benefits here: https://www.providenceri.gov/hr/hr-benefits-active-ee/

Equal Opportunity in Employment: The Morales Administration is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Even if you do not meet all of the requirements listed above, we encourage you to apply if you believe you have the skills, experience, and expertise to thrive in this role. The City of Providence is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage candidates of all backgrounds.