Each person has a very specific role and every role must be covered. Does this sound easy? Imagine having 50 people who work for you. Before the oncoming shift starts and outgoing shift leaves, the Battalion Chief must make sure that there are enough people on duty. For most of the time, the Battalion Chief is the highest ranking officer on duty. Consider this: there are 168 hours in a week and the Fire Chief and Assistant Chief work 40 hours a week. Battalion Chief (BC) – The Battalion Chief is really the person who insures that day to day operations are possible.Examples are: Dispatch, Training, EMS etc. A Captain may also be over a special section or function. This officer is often the initial commander at emergencies and can be called upon to fill in for the Battalion Chief during his or her absence. They may have one or more Lieutenants working at the station on an Engine Company or Rescue Company. Captain (CAPT) – This officer supervises daily operations, training, and emergency response of a Ladder/Truck Company and the personnel assigned to it and the Fire Station.In the absence of the Captain, works as “Acting Capt” Lieutenant (LT) – This officer supervises daily operations, training, and emergency response of an Engine Company or Rescue Company and the personnel assigned to it.In the absence of the Lieutenant, the DE works as “Acting LT”. They are specialist who knows everything about that piece of apparatus. This is the person who drives the apparatus and operates the fire pump or aerial ladder. Driver Engineer (DE) – Also known as “Chauffeur”, “Apparatus Operator (AO)”, “Fire Equipment Operator” (FEO) and other terms.In the absence of the Driver Engineer, works as the “Acting DE” (Note: “Firefighter” is the generic term for all members of a fire department, but it is also a rank within the organization.)
There is usually 1 – 2 in most companies. Firefighter (FF) – is a basic worker that is responsible for hose line placement, fire suppression, operating rescue tools, search and rescue, etc.Probationary Firefighter (PFF) – is an “at will” entry level position that is currently being trained and evaluated during their first 12 months of employment.Battalion Chiefs also are assigned to staff positions, such as Training & Safety. There is a Battalion Chief (BC) assigned to each of the three shifts. These companies and personnel are supervised by a Battalion Chief. This is usually made up of 4 to 5 stations and the companies that are quartered there. If the Lieutenant is off duty for some reason, (vacation, illness, working in another capacity, etc.) the Driver Engineer would move up to “Acting Lieutenant.”īattalion(s) – The city currently has one Battalion. He would be referred to as an “Acting Captain” for the day. If the Captain is off duty for some reason, (vacation, illness, working in another capacity, etc.) the Lieutenant will often move up and take his place. Usually a Lieutenant supervises an Engine Company or Rescue Company and a Captain supervises a Ladder/Truck Company.
The company can be supervised by an officer. This is made up of a single piece of apparatus and it’s crew. Promotions to all rank below assistant chief are conducted through state civil service testing process.įire Department units are usually divided into a few basic categories.Ĭompany(s) – This is the basic unit. The rank structure is as follows (in ascending order): Probationary Firefighter, Firefighter, Driver Engineer, Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, Assistant Chief, and Fire Chief.