LINE OFFICER QUALIFICATIONS

AND

CHAIN OF COMMAND

1.         CHIEF OFFICER (SUGGESTED QUALIFICATIONS)

-         Must be 18 years or older.

-         Must have a valid Pa. Drivers license.

-         Should have a minimum of 5 years of fire fighting experience.

-         Should have a minimum of 4 years of Line Officer experience.

-         Should have certification or certificates of completion for the following courses; incident command, NIMS, essentials of fire fighting or basic and advanced fire fighting, (National Fire Academy Fire Leadership I, II, III series) or fire officer I certification, vehicle rescue, Hazmat operations.

-         Should be a member of good standing that works well with others, including Chief Officers from neighboring fire companies and township officials.

-         Should have good communication skills.

-         Should have an overall knowledge of the fire company By-Laws, procedures, and standard operating guidelines.

-         Should be able to attend county fire chief meetings, zone 3 meetings, fire company business meetings, and officer meetings.

-         Must be able to practice harmonious supervisory relations.

-         Must be able to make decisions that require a high degree of specialized knowledge under stressful situations with a strong emphasis on safety and reducing loss.

-         Should have an overall knowledge of the engine company, rescue operations,  and air truck operations.

2.         LINE OFFICER QUALIFICATIONS (Captains, Lieutenants)

-         Must be 18 years or older.

-         Should have a minimum of 3 years fire fighting experience.

-         Shall have certification or certificates of completion for the following courses; essentials of fire fighting or basic and advanced fire fighting, (National Fire Academy Fire Leadership I, II, III series) or fire officer I certification, NIMS, vehicle rescue, Hazmat operations. If a Member is promoted to a Line Officer position and they do not have the above courses, they are encouraged to retain the courses.

-         Should be a member in good standing that works well with other Mmembers and with line officers from neighboring companies. Should be able to work with the Chief Officer Staff.

-         Must be able to carry out orders and Line Officer responsibilities given to you by a Chief Officer.

-         Must have an overall knowledge and be able to adhere to fire company policy, By-Laws, and standard operating guidelines.

-         Should be able to attend company business meetings and officer meetings.

-         Should have effective communication skills with other members and Chief Officers.

-         Must be able to perform a wide range of duties requiring a high degree of specialized knowledge under stressful situations with a strong emphasis on safety and reducing loss.

-         Must be able to practice harmonious supervisory relations.

3.         SAFETY OFFICER AND JUNIOR LIEUTENANT QUALIFICATIONS ARE MENTIONED UNDER SEPARATE GUIDELINES WITH IN THIS MANUAL.

 4.        ENGINEER AND ASSISTANT ENGINEER QUALIFICATIONS (SUGGESTED QUALIFICATIONS)

-         Must be at least 21 years of age.

-         Must be qualified on ALL pieces of apparatus within the Fire Company or be able to retain certification of the apparatus needed within one year of being promoted to one of these positions.

-         Must posses a valid Pa. Drivers license. (CDL licenses are preferred).

-         Shall have certification or certificates of completion for the following courses; pump operations I, pump operations II, and EVOC.

-         Should have good communication skills with other members and chief officers.

-         Should be a member in good standing that works well with other. Should be able to work with the officer staff.

-         Must have an overall knowledge of equipment stored on our pieces of apparatus and be able to perform engine company, rescue, and air truck operations.

-         Must have an overall knowledge and be able to adhere to fire company policy, By-Laws, and standard operating guidelines.

-         Should attend company business meetings and officer meetings (as necessary).

-         Must be able to perform a wide range of duties requiring a high degree of specialized knowledge under stressful situations with a strong emphasis on safety and reducing loss.

5.         FIRE POLICE CAPTAIN AND FIRE POLICE LIEUTENANT QUALIFCATIONS.

-         Must be at least 18 years of age.

-         Must posses a valid Pa. Drives license.

-         Should have a minimum of 3 years Fire Police experience.

-         Should have certification or certificates of completion for the following courses; basic fire police, advanced fire police, Hazmat awareness.

-         Should be a member in good standing that works well with other members and Fire Police from neighboring companies.

-         Should have good communication skills with other members and Chief Officers.

-         Must have an overall knowledge of and be able to adhere to fire company policy, By-Laws, and standard operating guidelines.

-         Should be able to attend company business meetings and officer meetings (as necessary).

-         Must be able to perform a wide range of duties requiring a high degree of specialized knowledge under stressful situations with a strong emphasis on safety.

6.         Promotions into a Line Officer position by the Fire Chief are based on the following: seniority, training, experience, personal ability, good leadership qualities, ability to work with others, attendance, etc.

7.         The Fire Chief has the right to make promotions to Line Officer positions at anytime for any number of reasons.  He or she also has the right to demote any appointed Line Officer at any given time if that officer does not adhere to the qualifications standards or complete his or her Line Officer responsibilities.  Line Officers may be demoted for disobeying by-laws, house rules, SOG'S, or other unprofessional actions.

8.         The Fire Chief or his designee is responsible to appoint the following positions prior to the January business meetings each new calendar year: Asst Chief(s), Captain 3-11-1, Captain 3-11-2, Lieutenant 3-11-1,Lieutenant 3-11-2, Lieutenant 3-11-3, Lieutenant 3-11-4, Safety Officer, Chief’s Aid, Junior Lieutenant, Fire Police Captain and Fire Police Lieutenant. Not all positions must be filled each year.  All appointed Line Officers will serve a one-year term and can be re-appointed each calendar year.

 9.        The Fire Chief or his designee MAY GRANT an exemption of the Qualification Standards and Training Standards to a Line Officer under RESONABLE CIRCUMSTANCES only when the Deputy Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief(s) are in agreement to the exemption.

10.       The Chain of Command listed on the following pages Shall be adhered to at ALL times.

OPERATIONS CHAIN OF COMMAND WHEN THE COMPANY IS OUT OF SERVICE

OPERATIONS CHAIN OF COMMAND WHEN THE COMPANY IS IN SERVICE

Approved by membership vote on:   __________________

President:      ____________________

                              Ted Burkhart

Secretary:      ____________________

                              Pam Huber