Fire Chief

Location:  City of Dallas, TX Download:  City of Dallas, TX - Fire Chief Brochure

City of Dallas, TX
Fire Chief

The Community

The City of Dallas, Texas is centrally located in North America and has a population of approximately 1.2 million residents.  It is the third largest city in the state of Texas and the ninth largest city in the United States.

With the cost of living at 98.9% of the national average and no personal income tax, Dallas offers a wonderful quality of life. A growing transit system includes 74 rail stations, plus 3 planned or under construction. Area colleges and universities enroll 317,000 students and Dallas has the largest arts district in the country. Thousands of restaurants, 28 libraries, 70 million square feet of shopping, 23,000 park acres, over 100 miles of trails, plus franchises for all the major professional sports leagues provide endless entertainment.

Dallas' diverse business environment offers almost any career the opportunity to grow. Over 63,000 businesses call the City of Dallas home, including global leaders such as Texas Instruments, AT&T, Celanese and Southwest Airlines. Dallas' 53,000 small businesses offer numerous employment opportunities. 

There are 25 colleges and universities in Dallas-Fort Worth, including ten in the City of Dallas or literally across the street. Southern Methodist University, the University of Texas at Dallas, the University of North Texas at Dallas, Dallas Baptist University, Paul Quinn College, Criswell College, Dallas Theological Seminary, Parker University and the University of Dallas provide a diverse set of opportunities for four-year and advanced degrees in or adjacent to the City of Dallas. 

The Dallas Arts District is home to a diverse mix of museums, performance halls, restaurants, and residences. A $338 million expansion included construction of the Winspear Opera House and the Wyly Theater to join the district's Dallas Museum of Art, Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center and Nasher Sculpture Center. In 2012 the City Performance Hall joined the list of architectural gems in the district. 

The Dallas park system includes 47 community and neighborhood recreation centers, 856 sports complexes, 305 playgrounds and picnic areas, 111 miles of hiking and biking trails and six 18-hole golf courses. The Great Trinity Forest, with 6,000 acres, offers additional natural trail, horseback riding, and kayaking experiences. Not part of the city's park system, the Dallas Zoo and Dallas Arboretum provide additional recreational opportunities.

Professional sports opportunities include the Dallas Cowboys (NFL), Dallas Stars (NHL), Dallas Mavericks (NBA), Texas Rangers (MLB) and FC Dallas (MLS). 

Government
The City of Dallas has a Council-Manager form of government. Under this form of government, the elected City Council sets policies for the operations of the City. The City Council consists of the Mayor and 14 Council members serving as representatives to the 14 Council Districts.  The administrative responsibility of the City rests with the City Manager. 

Dallas Fire-Rescue Department

Dallas Fire-Rescue (DFR) is an innovative and diverse department of 2000 members that mirrors the community they serve.   57 engines, 22 trucks, 40 front line rescues, 3 peak demand rescues, 11 wildland firefighting vehicles (take out "boosters"), 9 battalion districts.  Statistics indicate that in 2015, the Department made more than 300,000 total responses. 

The Dallas Fire-Rescue Department is made up of the following divisions:

  • Administration and Emergency Response: Emergency Response provides the residents of Dallas with fire suppression and protection, emergency rescue capabilities, and emergency medical first responder services. A minimum of four firefighters respond on each fire engine and aerial ladder truck company.
  • Special Operations: The Special Operations Division is a part of the Emergency Response/Homeland Security Bureau. All personnel under Special Operations are certified firefighters and and receive specialized training in HazMat, Swift Water, Wildland Urban Interface or Urban Search and Rescue. These sections provide specialized responses to hazardous materials spills, all water emergencies; including standing or swift, major disaster responses; manmade or natural, and weapons of mass destruction responses providing decontamination and initial medical treatment.
  • Training and Support Services: Training and Support Services Bureau includes responsibility for Recruit Training, In-Service Training, Fleet Maintenance, Clothing and Supply, Fire Station Maintenance and Support, Safety and Wellness, and Construction of Facilities.
  • Technology and Personnel Support: Technology & Personnel is a solid foundation on which the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department strongly depends for timely and efficient responses. The department consists of the Alarm Office (Fire Dispatch) with monumental support from GIS, Training, Quality Assurance and Assessment, Equipment Purchasing, Communications Paraphernalia, and Software Programs. In addition, this department handles Workers Compensation, Equal Employment Opportunities, and Chaplain Services.
  • Financial Services: The primary responsibility of the Financial Services is to ensure that the department operates in a fiscally responsible manner, which includes following the proscribed policy guidelines as set forth in the City's Annual Budget. Financial Services also provides direction and oversight over the department's internal controls, administrative actions, miscellaneous agreements, and grants management, including task force grants and other reimbursements. Other components include ensuring that all divisions adhere to citywide procurement and accounting policies, while simultaneously supporting them to achieve operational goals.
  • Fire Prevention and Investigation: The Fire Prevention and Inspection Bureau contains the Fire Marshal responsibilities of Codes, Inspections, Fire Investigations and Explosive Ordnance. In addition, the Inspection & Fire Safety Prevention Division focuses on protecting citizens from injury.
  • Emergency Medical Service: The "Rescue" in Dallas Fire-Rescue stands for our fleet of 40 front line Rescues, 3 peak demand Rescues and 3 paramedic engines. Rescues (EMS Units) are staffed with 2 firefighter/paramedics 24 hours per day. These firefighter/paramedics respond to medical emergencies, heart attacks, major accidents and all other types of emergency medical calls. They also respond to structure fires to assist with medical help for victims and/or firefighters.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to prevent and suppress fires, educate and rescue citizens, provide emergency medical services, promote public safety and foster community relations.

Vision Statement

To be the best trained, technologically advanced, customer-focused fire service organization in the country. 

The Position

Directs, through subordinates, all departmental operations and activities and enforcement of Fire Codes to ensure protection of the citizens and property of Dallas from destruction by fire or conflagration, and to ensure proper and efficient operation of the department. 

Essential Functions

  • Supervises, regulates and manages the department, and controls all departmental activities including fire suppression, fire prevention, and emergency medical services.
  • Designates the order of succession of the Assistant Chiefs to specify who will perform the duties of the Chief in the event of disability, absence from city, or inability to perform duties for any other cause.
  • Maintains acceptable fire and emergency medical service response times for the city to prevent destruction and ensure proper protection for property and citizens of Dallas.
  • Coordinates emergency requirements with other City departments as needed.
  • Maintains effective public relations with the media and citizen groups.
  • Classifies City fire services regarding number of persons to be employed to conform with City ordinances.
  • Exclusively controls the stationing and transferring of all fire personnel under City Manager rules and regulations or according to City ordinances.
  • Establishes and enforces policies, rules, regulations and procedures, and takes appropriate disciplinary action when needed.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities Required to Perform Work

  • Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of public administration.
  • Thorough knowledge of fire tactical operations, emergency rescue, ambulance services, fire investigations, fire prevention and education, evaluation of fire equipment and fire codes.
  • Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of personnel administration.
  • Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with all levels of management, city officials, vendors, other government agencies, other employees and the general public.

Education and Experience

Interested candidates ideally will possess a minimum of ten years senior or executive command level service with at least five years as Chief, Assistant/Deputy or ten plus years as Battalion Chief in communities of 100,000+.

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college in Fire Services, Fire Administration, Management, or a related field is required.  A Master's degree and advanced education and training such as the Executive Fire Officer's (EFO) course provided by the National Fire Academy, the Harvard Senior Government Executive Institute or similar endeavors is highly preferred.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate should have experience working successfully in a collaborative labor relations/collective bargaining environment.  A comprehensive understanding of technical aspects of emergency scene management (Incident Command Systems), fire prevention and education programs, hazardous materials response, special tactical response, Homeland Security and emergency preparedness management is highly desired.  Superior strategic planning skills, fiscal and budget management must be demonstrated.  

The ideal candidate should have articulated vision and be a superior facilitator, advisor, mentor and technical expert.  This individual will need to display excellent leadership, managerial ability, and decision-making skills and instill these traits within the rank and file of the Fire Department. The ideal candidate must exhibit strong coordination and relationship-building skills in working with the entire organization and the community. The Fire Chief should be active and visible in the community, personally taking part in civic and community activities and events. 

Effective communication along with strong collaboration, negotiation, and team building skills will be necessary for this individual to be successful; advanced written and oral communication skills are imperative. This individual must be able to adhere to the highest ethical and moral standards and be able to display transparency.

Salary:

The City of Dallas is offering a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package. Relocation assistance will also be available for the successful out of area candidate. 

How to Apply:
Interested applicants should forward a cover letter and resume to: 

resumes@affionpublic.com
Reference: DALLASFC

Affion Public
2120 Market Street, Suite 100
Camp Hill, PA 17011
888.321.4922
Fax: 717-214-8004
www.affionpublic.com 

The City of Dallas is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. 

 

*Deadline to receive resumes is March 04, 2016.

Posted: 03/22/2022