Bay County · 2 weeks ago
Deputy Chief of Fire & EMS
Panama City, FL
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
10+ years expBay County is seeking a Deputy Chief of Fire & EMS to support the Chief of Emergency Services in managing the Department of Emergency Services. The role involves overseeing emergency management, fire rescue operations, and ensuring effective coordination with internal and external partners to deliver countywide emergency services.
Management ConsultingProject ManagementRisk Management
Responsibilities
Assists the Chief in managing departmental operations, strategic planning, and organizational leadership
Oversees policy development, budget preparation, personnel management, and compliance with all applicable laws, codes, and regulations
Supervises division managers and ensures accountability, fairness, and consistency in performance evaluations and disciplinary actions
Provides oversight for departmental quality assurance, accreditation, and ISO compliance
Serves as Department Compliance Officer for the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training
Represents DES at public meetings, professional conferences, and interagency workgroups
Coordinates recruitment, hiring, and promotional processes in coordination with Human Resources and the Chief
Develops and implements training, leadership, and continuing education programs to support employee growth and operational readiness
Promotes professionalism, accountability, and succession planning across all divisions
Provides command and control at major emergency incidents; ensures safe, coordinated, and effective field operations
Oversees apparatus deployment, staffing, and maintenance of facilities, vehicles, and equipment
Ensures compliance with NFPA, ISO, and state standards for training, testing, and readiness
Serves as ISO Rating Officer and leads continuous improvement initiatives related to community risk reduction
Supports countywide disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation programs
Oversees development and implementation of emergency operations plans and ensures compliance with local, state, and federal standards
Coordinates with public agencies, municipalities, and community organizations to enhance emergency capabilities and resilience
Represents the department during EOC activations, serving as an incident advisor or liaison during major emergencies
Provides executive oversight for the County’s 911 Communications Center (PSAP), ensuring operational performance, compliance, and reliability
Oversees maintenance and integration of emergency communications technology and interoperability systems
Evaluates and implements emerging technologies to improve dispatch efficiency, response times, and coordination among public safety partners
Oversees fire prevention, inspection, and life safety programs to ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards
Serves as liaison with building officials, contractors, and the public on fire and life safety issues
Oversees the County’s Surf Rescue program and ensures proper staffing, training, and safety protocols
Manages hazardous materials incident reporting and mitigation in compliance with local, state, and federal requirements
Serves as departmental spokesperson and subject-matter expert, providing public presentations, media briefings, and stakeholder engagement
Represents the County in multi-jurisdictional planning efforts and regional emergency management coordination
The County reserves the right to modify, add, or remove responsibilities as necessary to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of emergency services to the public
Performs other related duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Bachelors' degree from an accredited college or university in fire science, emergency medical services, emergency management, public administration, or a closely related field
Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in public administration within an emergency services organization, including a minimum of seven (7) years in a supervisory or management capacity, of which at least three (3) years must have been served as an Assistant Chief or equivalent command-level position
Must meet Career Firefighter Minimum Standards as prescribed by Florida Statute Chapter 633, or the ability to obtain within one year of hire
Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain a valid Florida driver license upon offer of employment with a driving record acceptable to the County Driving Policy and insurance program
Possession of and maintain Florida Paramedic certification
Possession of or obtain and maintain Florida Career Firefighter Minimum Standards within one (1) year of hire as a condition of employment
Knowledge of public administration, budgeting, and personnel management within emergency services
Knowledge and expert understanding of Fire Rescue, Emergency Management, 911 Communications, and related operational frameworks
Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, including Florida Statutes, NFPA, OSHA, and ISO standards
Knowledge of modern methods, techniques, and practices of Emergency Management, Fire Suppression, and Emergency Medical Services
Knowledge and understanding of the harmful effects of hazardous materials and the appropriate response and mitigation procedures
Knowledge of project management and organizational skills
Knowledgeable in the Incident Command System (ICS) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS) with the ability to assume command roles during major incidents
Proficient in emergency response, risk assessment, and prehospital medical operations
Proficient in Microsoft Office, CAD, GIS, and incident management software
Skilled in incident command, strategic planning, and interagency coordination under NIMS/ICS
Skilled in presenting technical information and ideas clearly and concisely in both written and oral form to professional, public, and media audiences
Skilled in performing prehospital emergency care in accordance with Florida Department of Health and Bureau of EMS standards when required
Ability to coordinate countywide disaster planning, training, and recovery operations to ensure readiness and resilience
Ability to maintain reliable full-time attendance and work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as operational needs require
Ability to prepare, manage, and monitor large and complex departmental budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and compliance with procurement policies
Ability to have excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills in the English language
Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and perform effectively under stressful or emergency conditions
Ability to lead and manage fire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical operations while maintaining responder safety and incident efficiency
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other agencies, public officials, and the community
Preferred
Possession of Florida Fire Officer III certification is highly desirable; however, a Masters' degree in a related field may be used in lieu of Fire Officer III certification
Knowledge and/or experience in 911 Communications operations is highly desirable
Company
Bay County
Bay County focuses on project management, public works, disaster recovery, economic development, and risk management services.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageRecent News
Press Telegram
2025-04-05
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