Fire Chief

Located in the southwest corner of the Lower Mainland, 45 kilometres from Vancouver and only 5 minutes to the US/Canada border, the City of White Rock is a boutique, ocean-side community of approximately 22,000 citizens clustered around an 8-kilometre sandy beach and the warm, shallow waters of Semiahmoo Bay. White Rock is known for its sunny weather, expansive beach, historic pier, delightful restaurants, and strong sense of community. The City is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is committed to promoting and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and it is located on the unceded territory of the Semiahmoo First Nation and the Coast Salish people.

White Rock Fire Rescue (WRFR) was established in 1933 to serve and protect the White Rock community from the impacts of Fire, Illness, Accidents, and Natural or human-caused hazards. The department is staffed 24 hours, seven days a week with four rotating four-to-five-person fire suppression crews, supplemented by auxiliary firefighters as needed.

Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer and leading an engaged, empowered, learning-focused team, the Fire Chief is accountable for controlling all aspects of the Fire Department including administration, fire suppression, fire prevention, tactical firefighting, and staff training.  In addition, the Fire Chief oversees the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and must abide by and implement applicable local, provincial, and federal regulations. While exercising a high degree of independence and action in making operational and administrative decisions, the Fire Chief is a member of the Senior Leadership Team. They provide collaborative, city-wide leadership, strategic direction, and actively participate in developing policies and resolving complex issues that may have City-wide implications.

The ideal candidate brings proven skills as an outstanding leader and communicator who can carry forward with an environment that encourages and respects diversity of culture, approach, and thought. With a background delivering fire, rescue, and medical response services in a complex urban centre, they are recognized as a strategic and innovative leader who can work closely with a broad range of partners to contribute to the enhanced livability and safety of a community.

Authentic, collegial, and a true relationship builder, the Fire Chief will possess a track record of ensuring effective interoperability among first responders, combined with the tact and finesse to work in partnership with senior managers, front-line staff, union leaders, elected officials, and the community at large, to create a department that has a positive and accountable work culture. During their career, the ideal candidate will have gained proficiency in budgeting, developing and implementing business plans, interacting with the media, and making public presentations.

The targeted salary range for this position is $174,778 – $205,621 annually, supplemented by a competitive total rewards package. This position shares on-call duties with two Deputy Chiefs. The on-call rotation is approximately one week every three weeks from Thursday to Thursday.