Providence Firefighter Union Criticizes City for Not Appointing Fire Chief
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Providence Firefighter Union President Paul Doughty said Tuesday that he had been "under the impression" that Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare would be serving as Interim Fire Chief in addition to his current duties, after the city demoted previous Chief Scott Mello -- but learned that there was no acting or interim fire chief chief from GoLocal, who had inquired from the city how Pare met the qualifications for Chief.
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"Pare is the Commissioner of Public Safety...he is not acting as Chief," said Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza's spokeperson Evan England on Monday. "Pare's duties and obligations have not changed. Per the Charter, the Commissioner of Public Safety is the head of the fire department."
Pare would most likely not meet the qualifications as outlined in the job description for Fire Chief (below); the City appointed former Chief George Farrell as a consultant to the department, who would be ineligible to serve as Chief due to being past mandatory retirement age.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"I was under the impression that the Commissioner was going to serve as Commissioner, and Interim Fire Chief," said Doughty. "Mello had been in that position -- if you leave it vacant, then the next highest on the [organizational] chart becomes chief. So Mello is the head of the organization, without a chief."
"If the President's shot, who's in charge? The Vice President," said Doughty. "We don't look at how they're not there, but who fills the role."
"This gives you a glimpse of the disfunction and lack of due dilligence that we have suffered throughout the roll-out of the shift change," said Doughty.
Council President Questions Move
City Council President Luis Aponte called the decision "circular reasoning."
"The ordinance says there should be a fire department who shall be run by a chief," said Aponte. "It doesn't make a lot of sense. If someone's running the show, they're stepping into the role of chief."
"This department needs stability, and we have no stability by keeping the chief's position open," said Aponte.
Doughty raised the practical implications of not having an acting -- or interim -- chief.
"If there's a [significant] fire tonight, who's in charge?" posed Doughty.
Fire Chief Job Description
The City of Providence is the capital of Rhode Island and the second largest city in New England. Providence is rich in history, culture, and tradition. The Citycombines the accessibility and friendliness of a small town with the culture and sophistication of a large city. Providence occupies approximately 20 square miles and has a population of over 178,000. The City has a thriving arts community, vibrant and diverse neighborhoods, outstanding hotels, numerous historical landmarks, internationally recognized colleges and universities, and a renowned restaurant scene.
Providence is seeking a progressive and proven fire service professional to lead its Fire Department. Established in 1854, the Providence Fire Department is the second oldest continuously operating professional fire department in the country. The Department is a full-service fire and emergency medical service agency that provides basic and advanced life support, fire prevention, fire suppression, technical rescue, and hazardous material response. In addition, the Department conducts arson investigations and building plan reviews, enforces state and local fire and life safety codes, and administers public fire education programs.
The Department is composed of 431 budgeted sworn firefighters and 19 civilian employees with an annual operating budget of $34.5 million. From an operational standpoint, Providence Fire consists of 6 Advanced Life Support Rescue Companies, 14 Engine Companies, 8 Ladder Companies, and 1 Special Hazard and Heavy Rescue Company, all strategically located in Providenceneighborhoods. The Department is equipped to respond to all fire, medical emergency, natural disaster, and terroristic events that occur within Providenceand its surrounding communities. Each year, Providence firefighters and emergency medical technicians faithfully respond to over 40,000 emergency calls for service.
The duties and responsibilities, minimum qualification requirements, and directions to apply are as follows:
Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:
Report to the Providence Public Safety Commissioner and serve as the Fire Department's Chief Executive Officer;
Enforce all policies and effectuate directives of the Public Safety Commissioner;
Plan the future direction of the Department and manage it in accordance with the standards set forth by the National Fire Protection Association;
Develop and implement a department-wide strategy using performance metrics to assess staffing patterns, service demands, and equipment allocations;
Plan, coordinate, supervise, and periodically evaluate fire and emergency medical service capability;
Possess or obtain within six (6) months of hire, a complete and thorough understanding of a fire-based emergency medical service delivery system in accordance with the standards set forth by the Rhode Island Department of Health;
Implement innovative training, technologies, practices, public fire education and fire prevention programs;
Oversee the inspection of buildings and other properties for potential fire hazards and enforce the Rhode Island Fire Safety Code as well as applicable National Fire Protection Association standards and City of Providence fire prevention and life safety ordinances;
Lead the Department to national accreditation status in accordance with the standards set forth by the International Accreditation for Fire Service Organizations;
Lead the Department to a Class I rating in accordance with the standards set forth by the Insurance Service Organization;
Manage and oversee the Department's recruitment, promotion, disciplinary, and grievance processes;
Interact with the public in a professional, effective, and compassionate manner; and,
Serve on the Mayor's Emergency Advisory Board.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
I. Education and Experience:
Bachelor's Degree in fire science, public administration or related field with a Graduate Degree preferred;
Successful completion of a National Fire Academy sponsored or equivalent Executive Fire Officer Management Training Program;
Twelve (12) years of progressively responsible supervisory experience in the fire service and a minimum of three (3) years of command staff level management, financial, and administrative experience in a municipal fire department of over 250 sworn personnel preferred;
Experience in developing and maintaining positive management/labor working relationships based on mutual trust, respect, and transparency;
Experience in developing and expanding working community partnerships;
Experience in formulating and managing department-wide personnel, training, facility, capital, and equipment budgets;
Experience in developing, maintaining, and expanding interagency cooperation agreements; or,
ANY combination of education, management experience and training that clearly demonstrates the applicant's ability to excel in the functions of this position.
II. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
In-depth knowledge of the nationally recognized standards, procedures, techniques, and equipment used in modern fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical services, emergency management, and hazard mitigation;
Familiar with, or must obtain within 60 days of hire, applicable City of Providence and State of Rhode Island fire prevention and life safety ordinances, statutes, and codes;
Possess and maintain all National Incident Management System certificates commensurate with the position of Fire Chief;
Possess or obtain within six (6) months of hire, a Hazardous Materials Incident Commander Certification (OSHA 1910.120);
Proven managerial skills to develop, execute, and operate within an approved budget;
Demonstrated experience in contract negotiations, grievance settlement, and rights/-interest arbitration hearings;
Sound ability to evaluate situations, make prudent decisions, and build consensus among management and labor organizations;
Proficient ability to read, write, and speak the English language;
Possess personal integrity and the proven ability to provide effective leadership that builds trust and confidence throughout the Department and the Providence community;
Possess strong computer skills and an operational understanding of computerized information management systems;
Ability to work well under pressure;
Ability to assess emergency situations quickly and coordinate and manage an appropriate response;
Ability to conceptualize, develop, implement, and evaluate both short-and long-term strategic plans;
Ability to create and build effective working relationships with command staff, supervisory personnel, rank and file firefighters, fire and civilian labor organizations, civilian staff, city officials, community and civic leaders, news media, external public safety and community agencies; and,
Ability to pass a medical examination, a drug screening test, and a background check.
III. Additional Requirements:
Selected candidate must be available for full-time duty within sixty (60) days of notification of hire.
Selected candidate is expected to be available twenty-four (24) hours per day, 365 days per year, with the exception of scheduled vacation time and/or approved leaves of absence.
Selected candidate must possess, or obtain by time of hire, a valid Rhode Island driver's license without record of suspension or revocation in any state.
Selected candidate must live within 30 minutes of the City of Providence.
Directions for Applying:
Send 3 copies of: your resume, a cover letter highlighting your interest in the position, a current job description with an organizational chart, and salary history to:
Attention: Fire Chief Position
Providence Department of Public Safety
Office of the Public Safety Commissioner
325 Washington Street 3rd Floor
Providence, RI 02903
Human Resources
25 Dorrance Street
Providence, RI 02903
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER
MINORITIES AND WOMEN ENCOURAGED TO APPLY
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