1102: Battalion Chief

1102.1 - Battalion Chief

A battalion chief is the lowest chief or line officer in a fire department's rank structure, above rank-and-file fire station officers and fire company officers but still considered Fire Department Supervisors. A battalion chief commands a firefighting battalion which consists of several fire stations and multiple fire companies. A battalion chief has command over each fire station's officers and each company or unit's officers, as well as the uniformed firefighters. A battalion chief is usually under the command of an assistant chief, deputy chief or fire chief themselves, who in turn reports to them on situational circumstances or recently developed events. Battalion Chiefs may be responsible for running larger special operations.

Responsibilities include:

• Responding to emergencies as dispatched, and when arriving as the first Chief Officer on the scene, assumes command until relieved.

• Assuring that Station Commanders (Captain II) develop and maintain a high level of discipline and performance.

• Conducting pre-fire planning inspections of occupancies in the battalion district; supervising the fire station fire prevention program.

• Familiarity with the battalion district regarding the location of hydrants, mains, reservoirs, streets, etc.

• Initiating and participating in meetings with civic and business organizations, and otherwise actively promoting good public and community relations.

• Evaluating and recommending emergency procedures for specialized fire problems in the Battalion.

• Coordinating the physical fitness program in the battalion.

• Perform station inspections, either routine or random.

• Investigate reports against department members.

• Investigate incidents involving department members where injury, death, or property damage has occured.

• Administer low-level staff conduct.

Administration capabilities:

• Issue warnings.

• Issue suspensions.

• Fire individual characters.

• Update department personnel conduct portfolio.