Fire Chief Lafayette Township Fire & EMS Department, Medina County Full-Time | Exempt Position
Minimum qualifications: • High school diploma or equivalent. • State of Ohio Firefighter II certification. • State of Ohio Fire Officer II certification. • State of Ohio EMT certification. • Ohio Fire/EMS Instructor certification. • Ohio Fire Safety Inspector certification. • Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible fire service experience • Minimum of five (5) years of supervisory or command-level experience in a career or combination fire department. • Completion of NIMS and ICS training appropriate for executive fire service leadership. • Experience with budgeting and strategic planning, financial management, accreditation, policy development, and capital improvement planning. • Valid Ohio driver’s license, and ability to meet Township’s insurance requirements.
Preferred Qualifications: • State of Ohio Paramedic certification. • Hazardous Materials Technician certification • Fire Officer III or IV, Executive Fire Officer (EFO), Chief Fire Officer (CFO), or equivalent advanced command credential.
Position Overview: The Fire Chief serves as the executive leader and administrative head of the Lafayette Township Fire Department. Under direction of the Township Trustees, the Fire Chief provides strategic leadership and is responsible for the overall management, planning, coordination, and delivery of fire suppression, emergency medical services, rescue operations, hazardous materials response, fire prevention, emergency preparedness, and community risk reduction. The Fire Chief oversees budgeting and strategic planning, personnel administration, policy development, regulatory compliance, emergency operations, training, and community engagement, ensuring the department operates safely, efficiently, professionally, and in accordance with modern fire and EMS standards.
The Lafayette Township Fire Department is a professional combination fire and EMS agency operating from one fire station and providing emergency services to approximately 23-square-mile service area. The department responds to approximately 800 fire and EMS incidents annually and is staffed by crossed-trained part-time firefighter, EMT, and paramedic personnel. The department protects a service area consisting of residential neighborhoods, commercial and retail developments, agricultural and rural areas, adult career education center, county parks and lakes, and manufacturing facilities.
Executive Leadership and Administration: • The Chief will be responsible for directing and administering all operations and activities of the Fire Department, including fire suppression, EMS, rescue services, hazardous materials response, training, fire prevention, inspections, and community risk reduction programs. • Ensures departmental compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, standards, and policies, including OSHA, NFPA, Ohio EMS regulations, and Township policies. • Develops, reviews, updates, and implements departmental policies, standard operating guidelines, administrative procedures, and operational directives to carry out departmental goals.
Financial Management: • Participates in the development and administers the department annual operating budget; monitors departmental spending and financial performance; creates and approves payroll reports; authorizes expenditures; oversees purchasing and procurement processes; and develops bid specifications. • Develops long-term capital improvement plan; makes recommendations to Trustees regarding capital improvements, apparatus replacement, staffing, and equipment acquisitions. • Identifies grant opportunities and alternative funding sources.
Personnel Management: • Oversees recruitment, hiring, promotional processes, employee development, succession planning, employee retention and recognition initiatives, and performance evaluation. • Supervises, directs, evaluates, disciplines, and develops personnel in accordance with Township policies and applicable laws. • Approves scheduling, leave requests, payroll reporting, and staffing assignments to ensure operational readiness. • Promotes professional development, leadership training, continuing education, health and wellness plans, and employee safety programs. Emergency Operations: • Responds to emergency incidents as required and may assume command of fire, EMS, rescue, hazardous materials, and disaster incidents utilizing the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS). • Coordinates mutual aid operations and maintains effective, positive working relationships with local, county, state, and regional emergency response agencies. • Oversees emergency preparedness planning, disaster response coordination, and continuity of operations planning. • Evaluates operational performance and implements improvements to enhance emergency response effectiveness and firefighter safety.
Training and Professional Development: • Oversees the development, coordination, and implementation of departmental training programs to ensure personnel maintain competency and compliance with state and national standards. • Ensures personnel maintain required certifications, licensures, and continuing education requirements. • Encourages advanced training and professional development consistent with modern fire and EMS service delivery.
Fire Prevention and Community Relations: • Oversees fire prevention activities, public education programs, fire inspections, code enforcement activities, and community risk reduction initiatives. • Serves as the department’s representative in interactions with Township and Village officials, partner agencies, community organizations, educational institutions, the media, and the public. • Prepares monthly and/or annual reports, presentations, and recommendations for the Township Trustees and attends regular and special meetings as required. • Responds to citizen concerns, complaints, and public inquiries in a professional and effective manner.
Equipment Operated: Fire apparatus, ambulances, staff vehicles, radios, computers, mobile data systems, hazardous materials monitoring equipment, fire suppression equipment, rescue tools, medical equipment, and other related emergency service and office equipment.
Work Environment: Work is performed in office, station, training, and emergency scene environments. Duties may involve exposure to hazardous conditions, emergency incidents, stressful situations, extreme temperatures, loud noises, hazardous materials, infectious diseases, and physically demanding activities associated with emergency response operations. Disclaimer: This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. The Township Trustees reserve the right to revise or amend this job description as necessary. Employees may be required to perform duties outside of those specifically described herein as directed by the Township Trustees.
Application Process: Interested candidates should submit Cover Letter, up-to-date Resume and a copy of any relevant licenses/certifications to admin@Lafayettetownship.com Compensation & Benefits Salary Range: $70,000 - $100,000 Comprehensive benefits package includes: • Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance • Paid Vacation, Sick Leave, and Holidays • Township Issued Command Vehicle • Professional Development and Training Opportunities Equal Opportunity Employer: Lafayette Township is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status under applicable law.