Deputy Fire Chief / Director

As the largest city in North America with a Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) accredited fire service, those who live, work, and play in Toronto are provided with world-class fire protection services.

Toronto Fire Services (TFS) is the largest and most complex fire service in Canada, with more than 3,250 staff. At present, the TFS Command Team is comprised of the Fire Chief, four Deputy Fire Chiefs, and the Office of the Fire Chief team.

Reporting directly to the Fire Chief / General Manager – Toronto Fire Services, the Deputy Fire Chief / Director will be accountable for providing executive leadership to a challenging and diverse portfolio that currently includes the Business Services (Finance & Administration / Quartermaster), Staff Services (Labour Relations / TFS Medical Office / Recruitment & Community Outreach), Apparatus & Vehicle Maintenance, Asset & Equipment Management, and Facilities Management portfolio.

The Deputy Fire Chief / Director is appointed in accordance with the Toronto Municipal Code, assumes all associated duties, responds to after-hours issues and emergencies, and fulfills senior roles under the City of Toronto Emergency Plan. The Deputy Fire Chief / Director is a high visibility leader who regularly represents the Fire Chief at events and meetings, often after-hours, and is a capable spokesperson who effectively represents TFS in the media and externally as required.

The Deputy Fire Chief / Director is responsible for leading and managing change and for providing effective strategic and operational management to TFS. They will develop positive relationships with peers across the Toronto Public Service, and work effectively with senior management, employees, elected officials from all levels of government, and all stakeholders, including the Toronto Professional Firefighters' Association and members of the public. The Deputy Fire Chief / Director is directly accountable for all aspects of the assigned portfolio including all business, service delivery, personnel, financial, strategic, and operational aspects.

You are a forward-thinking, visionary, and inspiring leader, capable of developing and implementing progressive ideas and concepts with excellent strategic and lateral thinking skills. You demonstrate a genuine concern and interest for the well-being and success of staff, in an environment that expects personnel to perform at a high level, while providing effective and efficient services for the benefit of the community.

In addition to your post-secondary education and significant years of progressively responsible leadership experience, you have accumulated expertise in financial management and budget administration, have a demonstrated history of leading collaborative and effective labour relations and are highly skilled at resolving disputes and grievances in an effective and respectful manner, within a unionized fire service.

Having demonstrated experience in facilities management, asset and equipment management and fleet maintenance and repair are assets.

Ideally, you are an experienced professional Fire Officer, with formal NFPA 1001 and 1021 professional qualifications, and are an experienced operational incident commander.  Holding additional NFPA Professional Qualifications, including NFPA 1002 / 1006 / 1031 / 1033 / 1035 / 1041 / 1072 is an asset.

You are a champion of inclusion and equity, with a demonstrated history of creating increasingly inclusive, welcoming, and supportive work environments and building teams that are reflective of the communities we serve.

The City of Toronto is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessible Canada Act, 2019 and all applicable provincial accessibility standards, upon request, accommodation will be provided by both Odgers Berndtson and the City of Toronto throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.