Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Sarasota County Fire Department, where we serve the community with P.R.I.D.E. (Professionalism - Respect - Integrity - Dedication - Excellence)

Sarasota County Fire Department is an all-hazards fire and emergency medical services department. As the Fire Chief, you'll provide leadership for all aspects of emergency response, community risk reduction, emergency medical services, fire prevention, strategic planning, fiscal stewardship, organizational development, occupational safety and health, and public safety innovation.

Lead a workforce in delivering exceptional emergency services while fostering a culture of operational excellence, accountability, employee wellness, continuous improvement, and community engagement. You'll also serve as the subject matter expert to County leadership on matters affecting fire protection, emergency medical services, disaster preparedness, and public safety policy.

International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 2546
Click here to view more information about the Sarasota County Fire Department and the Fire Chief role.

Organizational Leadership

Leads, administers, directs and coordinates Division activities through the supervision of officers and review of their activities. Develops succession planning programs for future leaders. Leads the execution of the County’s organizational vision, strategic priorities, and long-range strategic direction for the Division. Leads organizational and transformational initiatives. Plans, organizes, assigns and directs operations with respect to equipment and personnel utilization in daily service delivery. Directs and participates in the planning, organization and conducting of countywide fire protection, fire prevention, and educational programs. Participates in the selection, placement, promotion, development, safety, appraisal and discipline of Fire Department employees, ensuring compliance and enforcement of Labor Agreements, County Policies, Directives and Standard Operating Procedures. Responsible for all fire training programs for Fire Department employees, approving and overseeing training plans and programs. Encourages a culture centered on safety, accountability, innovation, and professional excellence. Works collaboratively with union leadership.

Strategic Planning and Innovation

Oversees the creation of business plans, short-term and long-term strategic plans for the Division. Oversees Standards of Cover and Community Risk Assessment. Leads accreditation initiatives. Establishes suitable measures to evaluate each area’s performance, ensuring the metrics are tracked in a dashboard. Creates policies, practices and procedures necessary for the efficient operation and delivery of services within the scope and limitations of applicable laws, regulations and standards. Ensures compliance and enforcement of policies and local and state laws related to the Standard Fire Prevention and Life Safety Codes including those pertaining to requirements of Florida Statute (FS) Chapter 633, for fire prevention, fire suppression, and inspections/investigations; FS 401 and 64E-2 of the Florida Administrative Code; 4A-60.006 of the Florida Administrative Code, the Florida Fire Prevention Code. Oversees ISO Public Protection Classification.

Fiscal Stewardship

Exercises purchasing/budgetary control for all Fire Department operations, ensuring responsible stewardship of public resources. Reviews and gives approval for specifications for new equipment, apparatus, and facilities. Prepares and submits annual budget estimates and requests. Directs subordinates in the preparation of their budgets following guidelines of the annual budget message. Ensures that the Division stays within budget and seeks additional or alternate revenue sources, including grants. Ensures alignment of the budget to business plans, job descriptions, and performance measures. Develops long-term capital improvement strategies.

Emergencies

Responsible for the planning, research, processing and execution of special projects as assigned by the County Administrator, Board of County Commissioners and Emergency Services Director. Provides strategic oversight during complex incidents or events and fills the position of Incident Commander if required. Functions in the Emergency Operations Center and ensures Operations Section (Fire, Hazmat, and EMS Branch Directors) are staffed during activations. Participates as a member on the Executive Policy Group during an activation of the Emergency Operations Center. Ensures continuity of services during Emergency Operations Center activations.

Community Involvement

Develops regional partnerships. Builds community trust through transparency and engagement by addressing civic clubs, homeowner associations, and other groups regarding activities and programs of the Fire Department and promotes public understanding of the Fire Department’s functions and Fire Prevention awareness in the community. Meets with and directs the activities of the Sarasota County Fire-Rescue and Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board.

About You
Minimum Requirements:

Master’s degree in emergency management, Fire Science, Business Administration, Public Administration or related field required AND minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible executive leadership experience within a growing all hazards fire and emergency medical services organization. Expertise must include significant responsibility for operational leadership, organizational administration, budget development and oversight, personnel management, and strategic planning.
- OR - bachelor’s degree in emergency management, Fire Science, Business Administration, Public Administration or related field required AND minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible executive leadership experience within a growing all hazards fire and emergency medical services organization. Expertise must include significant responsibility for operational leadership, organizational administration, budget development and oversight, personnel management, and strategic planning.
Current and valid Florida Minimum Standards Firefighter Certification or the ability to obtain within 18-months.
Current and valid State of Florida Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic Certification, or the ability to obtain within 18-months.
Current and valid State of Florida driver's license, or the ability to obtain within 30 days of employment.
Preferred Qualifications:

Current or former Fire Chief, or no more than two levels below the Fire Chief (ie: Deputy Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, Division Fire Chief, or equivalent), in a medium to large sized all hazards fire and emergency medical services organization that is internationally accredited through CASS (Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services) and/or CFAI (Commission on Fire Accreditation International), with extensive experience in administration, operations, emergency medical services, fire prevention, budgeting, personnel management, strategic planning, and labor relations.
NIMS Incident Command Position Certifications: I-100, I-200, I-300, I-400, I-700, and I-800.
CPSE Chief Fire Officer (CFO)
National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer (EFO)
Chief EMS Officer
CFAI Accreditation Manager
Executive leadership training
Labor relations experience
Public administration experience
Other professional credentialling

Subject to Passing Substance Screening: This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening. An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment for a period of five (5) years.

CJIS Clearance: The successful candidate will be subject to an extensive background check(s) as a part of the hiring process. An applicant who fails to pass a required screening may be disqualified from employment.

Financial Disclosure: This applies to any person holding one or more of the following positions: County Manager/Chief Administrative Employee; County Attorney; Chief Building Code Inspector; Water Resources Coordinator; Pollution Control Director; Environmental Control Director; Administrator with power to grant/deny a land development permit; Fire Chief; Purchasing Agent (including employees of constitutional officers) having the final authority to make any purchase exceeding $35,000 on behalf of the county or any entity thereof.

About Everything Else
Starting Pay Range: $170,000 - $180,000/year, based on your experience