D-14

Policy

• Defines the duties and responsibilities of Fire Department Civil Service Ranks.

Fire Ranks

Assistant Fire Chief

• Class Code: 6B07
• Insignia: Gold Star
• An upper management position directly reporting to the Fire Commissioner or designee.
• Responsible for overall management and citywide staffing for Fire and EMS equipment and personnel during an assigned shift.
• Directs administrative and operational duties over the Operations Section of Fire and EMS, managed through Deputy Chiefs.
• Lead Public Information Officer (PIO) for the Philadelphia Fire Department (PFD).
• Responsible for overall command at incidents, training, after-action reviews.
• Monitors employee injuries and vehicle accidents.
• Manages the Incident Safety Office (ISO) Unit during incident scene operations when acting as the Incident Commander (IC).
• Dispatched to incidents of two or more alarms, and special incidents like Hazmat, SOC, or EMS.
• Assumes command as required and oversees the Incident Command System (ICS).
• Responds to line of duty deaths and civilian deaths, makes notifications to the PFD Executive Team.
• Responds to life-threatening on-duty injuries, notifies family and arranges transportation.
• Transports members to fire station or home after hospital release.
• Assigns PFD personnel to the family of injured members.
• Conducts post-incident analyses.
• Informs Incident Commander of results in writing.
• Investigates misconduct allegations administering discipline according to PFD Disciplinary Code.
• Excludes criminal infractions or employer discrimination related to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
• Manages the daily staffing, operations, and administration of the Incident Safety Officer’s Unit (ISO).
• Approves leave and compensatory time requests for Operations (Fire, EMS, ISO) Section Deputy Chiefs.
• Establishes policy for equitable distribution of overtime and compensatory time as agreed by Local 22 and the PFD’s Executive Team.
• Develops, plans, and implements operational and administrative goals and objectives.
• Receives and reviews daily quotas and projected head counts from Suppression and EMS Deputy Chiefs.
• Ensures minimum staffing of Operations Section units is maintained
• Completes performance evaluations for Operations (Suppression, EMS, ISO) Section Deputy Chiefs and subordinate personnel.
• Coordinates with all sections/divisions/groups/units of the Fire Department and partner agencies/organizations regarding shift-relevant matters.
• Attends staff meetings and other meetings set up by the Fire Commissioner or designee(s).
• Submits reports and requests for improvements to apparatus, stations, personnel, or changes in operational guidelines.
• Attends civic functions as directed.
• Tracks and manages completion of administrative requirements for Operations Section staff.
• Balancing staffing and filling vacancies with the assistance of the personnel assigned to the Administration/Finance Department.
• Completes required training (CE hours) for professional development.
• Reviews directives and operational procedures, suggests improvements.
• Assists with special projects assigned by the Fire Commissioner or designee.
• Functions as an information conduit between executive staff and direct reports.
• Meets weekly with the PFD’s Executive Team regarding management updates, concerns, briefings, and debriefings.
• Completes duties as assigned by the Fire Commissioner.

Fire Deputy Chief

• Class Code: 6B06
• Insignia: Silver Eagle
• Functions include supervisory firefighting and fire prevention.
• Commands a fire division composed of multiple fire battalions.
• Directs activities of one-third of the City's firefighting operations on a rotating shift.
• Serves as Fire Marshal, directing the City's fire investigation program.
• Completes duties as assigned by the Fire Commissioner.

Fire Special Operations Deputy Chief

• Class Code: 6B20
• Insignia: Silver Eagle
• Specialized supervisory and management work in technical rescue and urban search and rescue (USAR) operations.
• Considers hazardous materials and marine operations.
• Has oversight for the day-to-day operation of a Federal Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Task Force.
• Assumes the lead operational role, supporting the on-scene Incident Commander at major incidents.
• Incidents include technical rescue, urban search and rescue, weapons of mass destruction, and domestic terrorism including chemical/biological attacks.
• Completes duties as assigned by the Fire Commissioner.

Fire Battalion Chief

• Class Code: 6B05
• Insignia: Gold Oak Leaf
• Involves supervisory firefighting and fire prevention.
• Commands a battalion of fire companies on a rotating shift.
• Directs firefighting operations on a fire/emergency scene until a higher-level officer arrives.
• Administers fire prevention activities within a specific geographic district.
• Completes duties as assigned by the Fire Commissioner.

Fire Captain

• Class Code: 6B04
• Insignia: Two Silver Bars
• Supervises firefighters in fire control and extinguishing, rescue and evacuation, and emergency treatment.
• Responsible for the station and its facilities, including vehicle readiness, maintenance, cleanliness, supplies requisition, record-keeping, and report follow-up.
• Establishes safety programs, manages watch desk duties, oversees fire prevention and community activities.
• Completes block inspections, Vital Building Information reports, and other station-related activities.
• Completes duties as assigned by the Fire Commissioner.

Fire Lieutenant

• Class Code: 6B03
• Insignia: One Silver Bar
• Supervises firefighters in fire control and extinguishing, rescue and evacuation, and emergency treatment.
• Accountable for all firefighting operations until arrival of a higher-level officer.
• Responsible for the activities of a fire platoon.
• Completes duties as assigned by the Fire Commissioner.

Fire Boat Pilot

• Class Code: 6B13
• Insignia: Gold Crossed Anchors
• Skilled marine work involving piloting a diesel engine fireboat during firefighting and other emergency operations during a shift.
• Completes duties as assigned by the Fire Commissioner.

Fire Boat Engineer

• Class Code: 6B11
• Insignia: Gold Propeller
• Marine work operating and maintaining diesel engines and related equipment aboard a city fireboat during an assigned shift.
• Completes duties as assigned by the Fire Commissioner.

Firefighter

• Class Code: 6B01
• Insignia: None
• Works under the supervision of a fire officer.
• Completes assignments following standard departmental practices and work instructions.
• Works with fire companies or medic units performing general firefighting and emergency medical duties in assigned geographic areas.
• Completes duties as assigned by the Fire Commissioner.

EMS Ranks

Fire Service Paramedic Deputy Chief

• Class Code: 6B26
• Insignia: Silver Eagle
• Supervises Emergency Medical Services (EMS) across the city.
• Coordinates and deploys equipment and EMS personnel to emergency scenes.
• Coordinates EMT and fire service paramedic personnel training in accordance with State and departmental regulations.
• Responds to emergency scenes maintaining command and establishes policy changes for fire service paramedic personnel.
• Completes duties as assigned by the Fire Commissioner.

Fire Paramedic Services Chief

• Class Code: 6B25
• Insignia: Gold Oak Leaf
• Directs the operational component of the Fire Department EMS program through Fire Paramedics.
• Administers the EMS Regional Office through subordinate fire service paramedic officers and support personnel.
• Directs equipment and personnel coordination and training in emergency scenes.
• Ensures compliance with EMS regulations and directs activities of the EMS Regional Office.
• Completes duties as assigned by the Fire Commissioner.

Fire Paramedic Captain

• Class Code: 6B24
• Insignia: Two Silver Bars
• Supervises fire paramedic lieutenants; engaging in emergency medical assistance work.
• Directs city-wide fire paramedic operations.
• Completes duties as assigned by the Fire Commissioner.

Fire Service Paramedic Infection Control Officer

• Class Code: 6B30
• Insignia: Gold RN
• Medical services function as a staff expert in the exposure control program for Fire Service Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians.
• Evaluates exposure incidents, follows treatment, based on regulations, protocols, laws.
• Develops and updates the department’s exposure control plan and procedural directives, including infection control protocols.
• Must have a current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Must have current registration with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Health as an Emergency Response Employer (ERE) Designated Officer. -Completes duties as assigned by the Fire Commissioner.

Fire Service Paramedic Lieutenant

• Class Code: 6B23
• Insignia: One Silver Bar
• Supervises medical assignments and provides coaching and mentoring.
• Monitors and helps new FSE/FSEAs and field training.
• Monitors safety medical unit operations.
• Monitors TripTix for patient care report compliance.
• Mitigates issues concerning fire department members, staff, and the public.
• Completes duties as assigned by the Fire Commissioner.

Fire Service Paramedic

• Class Code: 6B22
• Insignia: Blue and Gold Star of Life
• Advanced life support and field work.
• Responds to medical emergencies.
• Administers medical assistance.
• Emphasis on patient stabilization for transport to a full-service medical facility.
• Communicates with the public, comforts the patients, reassures family, and cooperates with fire and police authorities.
• Completes duties as assigned by the Fire Commissioner.

Fire Service Emergency Medical Technician – Advanced

• Class Code: 6B19
• Insignia: Blue and Gold AEMT with Star of Life
• Functions in the field, responding to emergency calls.
• Provides care and safe transport to a medical facility.
• Serves as a first responder to assess conditions and determine steps such as medication and vaccines.
• Manages airway, ventilation and oxygenation, medication administration, and intravenous and interosseous needles.
• Comforts patients reassuring public, fire and police.
• Completes duties as assigned by the Fire Commissioner.

Fire Service Emergency Medical Technician – Basic

• Class Code: 6B21
• Insignia: Blue and Gold EMT with Star of Life
• BLS field work, answering emergency calls and transport the patient to an emergency room.
• Serves as a first responder assessing condition for stabilization.
• Comforts and coordinates with the general public ensuring reassuring relationships.
• Completes duties as assigned by the Fire Commissioner.