JFRD Company Officer Role & Responsibilities

Company Officer Role in JFRD

• Defines the role of the company officer within the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD).

Rank and Position

• A company officer leads a company, including Captains, Lieutenants, and Engineers not in their usual position.
• Company officers provide direct supervision to their assigned personnel.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Company officers must enforce JFRD Rules and Regulations, SOPs, SAPs, SOGs, Civil Service Personnel Rules Regulations, and the Union Contract.
• They ensure subordinates learn necessary job knowledge.

Knowledge Requirements by Division

• Rescue company officers require detailed knowledge in emergency medical care
• Rescue company officers require detailed knowledge in control of other emergency situations.
• Rescue company officers need to know street locations and building characteristics in their territory.
• Suppression company officers require detailed knowledge in fire prevention and suppression.
• Suppression company officers need to know the location of streets, water supplies, and building characteristics in their territory.

Overseeing Subordinates

• Company officers must set a good example to meet JFRD standards.
• Company officers should guide and encourage subordinates.
• Company officers must accurately explain JFRD Rules and Regulations, SOPs, SAPs, and SOGs to subordinates when not in an emergency.
• Subordinates must follow all orders to the best of their ability.
• Personnel should be treated fairly, without shielding incompetence, misconduct, or neglect of duty.
• Discipline and harmony must be maintained through proper supervision.
• Company officers must be just, dignified, and firm with subordinates.

Handling Disagreements

• Disagreements are settled within districts, following the chain of command.
• For issues needing a Division Chief's attention, a request is sent via the chain of command.

Rule Infraction Charges

• Company officers ensure rules are followed and promptly report violations.
• Company officers can initiate rule infraction charges.
• Personnel charged with rule infractions must receive a copy of the charges
• The original infraction report must be forwarded through the chain of command.

Substance Abuse

• Company officers, with District Chief approval, can relieve personnel suspected of substance abuse from duty.
• Company officers implement the collective bargaining agreement regarding drug and alcohol policies.
• Details of substance abuse incidents must be forwarded through the chain of command to the Director/Fire Chief.
• Failure to report known violations results in equal responsibility with the violator.

Required Training

• Company officers train personnel under their supervision.
• Training must align with training division directives and JFRD SOPs, SAPs, and SOGs.
• Company officers conduct drills covering all equipment aspects with probationary Firefighters or newly assigned personnel within 90 days.
• All permanently assigned personnel must learn territory information in SOP 212.05.03 (Probationary Firefighter) within 6 months.
• All training must be documented in the daily log and Target Solutions, including performance.

Absence of Engineer

• In the absence of assigned Engineer, the company officer designates a Firefighter to operate the apparatus, unless already done by the District Chief.
• Decisions should be made based on the personnel's abilities and knowledge.

Personnel Evaluations

• Monthly evaluations of probationary Firefighters are submitted to determine eligibility for permanent JFRD employment.
• Probationary evaluations are kept in the employee’s personnel file at headquarters.
• Probationary evaluations are required for recently promoted officers and Engineers for 6 months.
• Agreement between the company Captain and the District Chief is required for newly promoted Lieutenants.
• A company officer and the District Chief must agree is required for newly promoted Engineers.

Report Requirements

• Company officers are responsible for all information in submitted reports.
• All reports submitted must be in proper form, accurate, legible, complete, and submitted by the end of the shift.
• Accurate equipment records going to or coming from the repair shop must be kept.
• Acting officers sign reports in their acting capacity

Ensuring Readiness

• Company officers must assist their crews in preparing their apparatus for duty
• Company officers must assist their crews in placing the apparatus back in service quickly after assignments.
• Supervised apparatus and equipment must be maintained in a state of readiness.

Reporting to Superiors

• Official JFRD matters are referred through the chain of command.
• The District Chief should be notified if an apparatus is placed out of service, except for training on the Training Bulletin.
• Any unusual happenings which are not covered by the JFRD Rules and Regulations, policies, or procedures must be reported to the District Chief.

Fire Inspections

• Company officers will direct personnel in making fire prevention inspections within their response territory.

Station Responsibilities

• Company officers on each shift are responsible for the station's appearance.
• Preventing waste of water, electricity, gas, and station cleaning supplies is required.

Other Duties

• Other duties as required by superiors should be performed.