Chief Fire Officer

The Government of Montserrat is inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the post of Chief Fire Officer, within the Montserrat Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS).

The Government of Montserrat is inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the post of Chief Fire Officer, within the Montserrat Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS).

JOB PURPOSE

Responsible for the provision of an efficient and effective Fire and Rescue Service. The Chief Fire Officer is also responsible for the delivery of the Ambulance service and also holds responsibility for the efficient and effective operation of the Montserrat Search and Rescue function.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Management and Supervision

• Manage and motivate the personnel in the Fire Service
• Provide a strategic plan to the Commissioner of Police, setting out the aims and ambition of the Fire service.
• Complete a delivery plan to ensure the strategic plan is discharged
• Ensure that there is an effective performance management structure to provide assurance that the delivery plan is met.
• Ensure that equipment and infrastructure meet the needs of the strategic and delivery plan 
• Ensure that the service reacts safely and expeditiously to any emergency situation
• Engage with staff representative bodies to ensure good industrial relations are maintained.
• Ensure the Search and Rescue function is resourced and equipped to carry out its function.

Administration

• Present the fire service budget to the Ministry of Finance for approval. 
• Ensure that all administrative records are accurate and up to date
• Ensure that there is a fair and transparent disciplinary process.
• Manage the Fire and Rescue budget in an efficient and cost effective manner
• To charge fees for service delegated to be chargeable, at the rate prescribed for such a service
• Ensure vehicles are purchased and maintained
• Ensure that suitable accommodation is provided for fire fighters/officers
• Ensure that business plans are submitted.
• Attend regular meetings with the Commissioner of Police and other members of their management team.
• Preparation and presentation of Annual reports
• Ensure through the Deputy that annual appraisals are completed by the end of the first quarter each year.

Training

• Ensure that all Fire service personnel are fully trained to carry out their prescribed duties.
• Arrange additional training as required to meet the needs of the service
• Ensure that search and rescue unit training is continuous.
• Ensure that training rigs are kept in operational order.
• Ensure that competence records are maintained for all staff

Fire Prevention

• Devise and deliver an effective fire prevention strategy, to include the following areas;
• Ensure fire protection checks are carried out in all buildings used by the public.
• Ensure that all business owners are aware of the fire protection rules for their premises
• Ensure a fires safety programme is in place to educate members of the public about fire risks

KEY JOB CRITERIA

Supervisory and managerial responsibility

• Directly responsible for and supervises one (1) Deputy Fire Officer and indirectly six (6) Fire Officers and twenty (20) Fire-fighters.
• Direct responsibility for thirty (30) search and rescue members in emergency situations
• Manages the fire service budget, physical and human resources of the service

Judgement and Decisions made

The post holder has responsibility for ensuring public safety, and safety of members of the fire service and the lives of the search and rescue team.  As a result the judgements and decisions made have the potential to affect the operations of these fire, search and rescue department.  

• Assessments made on whether or not to enter danger zones based on the risk presented and scientific advisory on weather patterns. Most of the decisions for search and rescue are based on the exclusion zone and the levels of the alert system at the time of the incident; as well as on volcanic situations for evacuation purposes. 
• Health and safety of staff in emergency situations. [A typical scenario: a Bus trapped in Belham valley with 10 tourists on a rainy afternoon with the river flowing over its banks, a decision had to be made as it relates to the lives of the tourists and the lives of the rescuers involved. Whether or not to try and save the appliance was another matter to be dealt with.]
• In some volcanic conditions and the main access through Belham is unusable, decisions about mode of transport to be used for rescue purposes is key; whether Helicopter, Boat or Rescue pick ups.  Based on the nature of the emergency on the other side for example persons been severely burnt they will have to be airlifted to Guadeloupe. Rough sea conditions may also mean that one cannot access the shores via Police launch. 
• Frequently decides on the allocation of manpower in emergency situations and deployment through the Fire and Rescue Services.  
• The force is multifunctional and training is our life line.  Therefore, decision are made about training and the type of training to be carried out within the service – e.g. Airport training, Fire Prevention officers, Pump repair training, Hose repair training, Fire and rescue training techniques.
• On an ad-hoc basis decisions made on fees to be charged for special services rendered to the public.
• Infrequent decisions on how to manage with specific situations e.g. staff disputes. 
• Fire drills are normally held as an educational tool to ensure the level of preparedness exhibited in the event of a fire or any other emergency that may occur Therefore decides on the appropriate times for Fire drills. (Drills within government and non governmental buildings. To ascertain knowledge and reaction.)   

Supervision received

• Supervised by Commissioner of Police although post holder is allowed to function on own initiative and perform duties autonomously using codes and legislations. Standard Monday meetings with Commissioner of Police and management team providing updates and reports on the Fire and Rescue Service.
• Quarterly evaluation reports presented to Her/His Excellency the Governor via COP 
• Operational hours from 0800 to 1600 hours Monday to Friday. On call 24hours for major incidents and operational situations.

Work complexity

The role of the Chief Fire Officer is complex and varied although performed within established regulations, codes, legislation and professional guidelines, as stipulated in the Montserrat Fire and Rescue Service Act.

• Foresight and forward planning -. During an emergency with low staffing levels the CFO has to get involved hence requiring foresight and significant forward planning to ensure lives are saved and the service meets expected standards and targets. 
• Evaluating risks, changes within the profession and within the service and new buildings which demand unprecedented actions may be determined complex
• In dealing with incidents such as major accidents, major fires (bush, house, commercial or industrial) complexity arises in evaluating risks also in briefing of staff before leaving for major incident scenes, especially within the exclusion zone. Debrief after to look at lessons learned from the experience can in essence be a challenge.
• Prioritizing of work flow and schedules is a must when new equipment is brought into the service. They have to be inspected to ascertain if they meet the required standards and if the exact equipment was shipped.

The CFO’s involvement in actual fire fighting and other emergencies is based on staffing levels within the service.

Contacts

• Regular verbal and written contact with the Commissioner of Police, other government department heads and members of the public, informing them of their responsibilities in fire prevention. 
• Written and verbal Contact with other fire services both in the Caribbean and the United Kingdom to keep up to date with the latest developments in fire and rescue techniques.
• Attendance at CADACFO annual conference. (Caribbean Association of Chiefs and Deputy Chief Fire Officers). Verbal interface through the presentation, workshops to discuss challenges across the region.

Frequent verbal and written communication:

• International colleges to enquire and ascertain fees for training courses
• International agencies for procurement of fire service vehicles.
• Regulatory inspectorate for Airport Inspection re licensing of Airport.
• Honourable Financial Secretary presentation of business cases, business plans, budgets etc.
• His/Her Excellency the Governor (briefs on emergencies)

Creativity

The job requires innovation and imaginative skills in carrying out his/her duties, in handling incidents and detailing staff in emergency or crisis situations. Regular reports have to be written and produced in relation to incidents, presentations, and submissions to DFID, the Ministry of Finance etc. Also in creating scenarios for training purposes especially scenario based situations for search and rescue operations. Much creative thought is needed in the presentation of Budget and annual work plans encapsulating priorities and the activities of the service.

Knowledge

The post holder should have accreditation from an internationally recognised body in the following areas;

• Junior Officer Advanced Certificate
• Theory and practice of fire fighting including command and control
• Watch Commander level for aerodrome fire fighting facility
• Trainer of trainers in Fire fighting, first aid, emergency care and response
• Computer literacy Basic Fire fighting and rescue techniques (in service training)
• Mechanical, hose and pump repairs 
• Formal qualifications or membership of a recognised brand of the institution of fire fighters, gained through successful completion of a recognised training course.

Experience

• Will have significant experience in public fire brigade and have demonstrated success at the Deputy Fire Officer level or equivalent.
• Must satisfy the members of the Special Selection Board that he/she is suitable for the post of Chief Fire Officer during a specially scheduled interview.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATIONS

Technical and professional qualifications required:

• Junior Officer Advanced certificate
• Command and control qualification
• Firefighting and rescue qualification

Technical skills requirements, post-education

• Computer Literacy

Interpersonal skills

• Ability to convene people and organisations around critical situations
• Highly motivated
• Effective communication skills (written and oral)
• Customer Service skills
• Ability to work in a team, and effective coordination skills

• Ability to prepare and submit reports
• Ensure that standing operating procedures and practices are maintained and followed
• Excellent organizational skills

Other personal skills required by the job

• Management of expenditure to achieve value for money.