The Franklin County Fiscal Court in Frankfort, KY is seeking a strategic, visionary, and community-oriented leader to serve as our next Fire Chief. In this executive role, you will direct and oversee all operations of the Fire Department, including fire suppression, emergency medical services (EMS), fire prevention, hazardous materials response, and disaster management. The ideal candidate is an active problem-solver who will successfully allocate resources, manage the department budget, and cultivate a positive working environment for all personnel.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership: Guide both short- and long-term strategic planning for the department.
Financial Management: Prepare, administer, and present the annual departmental budget and pursue alternative funding/grants.
Community Engagement: Build strong, collaborative relationships with the community, organizations, and the general public.
Personnel Development: Supervise, train, and evaluate department personnel while fostering a culture of excellence and safety.
Incident Command: Exercise command and control during complex emergencies and large-scale disasters.

Primary Duties:

Plans, organizes, directs, coordinates, and evaluates activities of the fire service and command rescue operations in the unincorporated areas of Franklin County
Formulates standard operating procedures and policies following consultation with County Judge/Executive and subordinate officers
Performs fire suppression and prevention activities, emergency rescue and hazardous materials activities
May perform arson investigation duties
Supervises, instructs, disciplines and evaluates three 24-hour crews at all stations and office staff
Prepares and administers departmental budget
Supervises all purchasing and oversees mechanical repairs for fire apparatus
Maintains and tests radio communication equipment for Franklin County Fire Department
Makes periodic inspections to assure adherence to departmental policy regarding readiness
Attends Fiscal Court, Emergency Services Committee, Safety Committee and other meetings as requested
Responds to all major calls and may assume control upon arrival
Responds to all chemical, hazardous material, and life-threatening incidents
Serves as a member of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)
Develops and administers the County Plan for disaster response
Supervises training officer, coordinates training, and may conduct training sessions
Assists state police, county, city, state agencies and fire departments in surrounding counties for mutual aid
Represents the department as needed including public relations activities
Other duties as assigned
Must adhere to provisions contained in Franklin County’s Administrative Code

Minimum Qualifications:

Strong communication and leadership skills with excellent planning and organizational skills
Possess extensive knowledge of modern fire fighting principles, methods, techniques, equipment and fire apparatus
Must be available to respond to emergency situations at all hours
Use tact, diplomacy, good judgment, discretion, and required to keep confidential information

Requirements

Minimum of Associates in fire science, public administration or related experience, preferred.
10 years fire service
3 years administrative level fire-related experience
Willing to move to Franklin County preferred
Must possess a valid Kentucky driver’s license
Kentucky Certified Firefighter at 400-hour level minimum
EMT-b certified
IFSAC Certified Instructor Level I
IFSAC Fire Officer I
IFSAC Fire Officer II
Kentucky Fire Inspector’s Certification NFPA Inspector I and Inspector II
Hazmat Technician certification
Ifsac Fire Officer 2 and inspector 1 and 2 (or obtain within 1 year)

Franklin County Fiscal Court

Latest Jobs

Fire Chief