The City of Pembroke plans to look at bringing back the Deputy Fire Chief position. When the last Deputy Chief was promoted to Fire Chief in the early 1990s, the Deputy Chief’s position was not filled. Over the past 30 plus years this position has remained vacant. Fire Chief Scott Selle told city council the work load is there to define the Deputy role.
The local salaries for a Deputy Chief range from $99,000-$147,000. Chief Scott Selle told city council some of the key factors that the role would have within the city.
Selle went on to say that all management responsibilities are performed by the Fire Chief, which creates a heavy workload, leaving no time for high level strategic planning, risk management or any other pro-active projects.
Currently, the Fire Chief is responsible for and oversees all aspects of the Pembroke Fire Department. This includes Administration, Emergency and Non-emergency Operations, Fire Prevention, Public Fire and Life Safety Education, Public Relations, Training Programming and Planning, Professional Development, Financial Management and Purchasing, Strategic Planning, Asset Management, Mutual Aid Coordination, Mutual Aid Plan Manager for Renfrew County Fire Services, Labour Relations/Chief Negotiator, and Community Emergency Management Coordinator (C.E.M.C.). This position was put under the roles and responsibilities of the Chief of the Pembroke Fire Department in 2021.
The role and essential functions of a Deputy Chief could include, but would not be limited to
the following:
▪ Supporting the CEMC and assisting in Emergency Preparedness for the City of
Pembroke
▪ Coordination and management of Fire Prevention and Public Education
▪ Assumes responsibility in the absence of the Fire Chief, as assigned
▪ Assist in research, preparation, and presentation of reports to Council and Committees, project and program assignments relative to fire suppression, fire training, rescue, water rescue, and other Fire Department operations
▪ Assist the Fire Chief with establishing goals, objectives, financial and human resource requirements, and performance indicators related to departmental functions and monitor the achievement of results
▪ Assist with budget development, administration and control of annual operating and capital budget as assigned
▪ Respond to emergency incidents; assume leadership role in the Incident Command System as appropriate, supervise, coordinate activities of emergency response crews as assigned
▪ Liaise with the Central Ambulance Communications Center to coordinate day-to-day service needs of the Pembroke Fire Department, as assigned
▪ Liaise with the Fire Chief and Human Resources Department to assist with functions such as recruitment, training, supervising, performance evaluation, discipline and attendance management in accordance with City of Pembroke policies
▪ Coordinate facility and equipment maintenance to ensure the fire station building and all equipment are maintained in acceptable condition
▪ Liaise with local community groups/community outreach, as assigned
▪ Fill in and represent the Fire-Chief on various Fire Department Committees
▪ Assure that complete and thorough familiarization with all operating functions of the department is maintained to provide competent assistance as well as to adequately command the department in the absence of the Fire Chief
▪ Assure that fire department procedures/standard operating guidelines are current and provide complete instructions for maximum effectiveness in all operations including fire suppression efforts
▪ Assure that specialized assignments are conducted in a proficient and competent manner including adequate reports and timely reviews
▪ Assist the Fire Chief with identifying, establishing and implementing best practices related to departmental activities with a focus on continuous improvement, efficiencies and cost effectiveness
Should Council approve the concept of the position, the actual salary would be formally evaluated by an outside Human Resource firm and be based on a detailed job description while ensuring integration into the existing City of Pembroke salary grid. City council agreed to consider the position during 2024 budget talks.
(Written by: Kyle Robinson)
