Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

As an agent of the Ontario Fire Marshal in the undertaking of legislative duties and responsibilities under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 (FPPA), provide consultative expertise, leadership, advice, issues resolution and training on a range of fire and life safety matters, fire related legislation and other services to local municipalities, other levels of government, fire departments, unincorporated communities and other internal and external stakeholders. To monitor, conduct, review and advise municipalities and territories without municipal organization to ensure compliance with the FPPA. To conduct or assist with fire safety inspections, to participate in OFM led fire investigations, including conducting post incident building audits and evaluation of fire department emergency operations and assist in the development of emergency management plans to mitigate the impact of fires and other natural or human caused emergencies.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Liaise with other agencies (e.g. MOE, MNR, OPP, municipal and aboriginal police, health and safety representative, ambulance operators, First Nations representatives) in both emergency and non-emergency situations.

2. Promote, disseminate, co-ordinate and deliver OFM programs.

3. Provide fire protection and life safety advisory services and programs including: supporting the development and implementation of mutual aid system plans and programs; providing mentoring, mediation and conciliation in the resolution of a range of issues; advising on fire management planning and emergency response; assisting in the creation of new fire departments and advising and assisting in the organization/management of existing fire departments and fire protection, prevention and public education services, and advise on fire department operations.

4. Provide information and advice regarding legislative requirements as it relates to the fire service in Ontario, including the intent and application of various fire related legislation, public fire safety guidelines, codes & standards and best practices (e.g., Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 and Ontario Fire Code, Municipal Act, Building Code Act and Ontario Building Code, Occupational Health and Safety Act- Health and Safety Guidelines).

5. Advise municipal and government officials on fire protection service delivery issues.

6. As a local adviser, act as the Ontario Fire Marshal's primary local contact and liaison with municipal governments, the fire service, other government agencies and the public. Participate as a member/adviser on various committees and working groups (e.g. Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council, other ministry committees requiring OFM input, master fire planning committees, long service recognition investitures and other various fire related functions); represent the interests of the OFM in relation to local, regional and provincial fire safety issues and concerns by promoting and delivering fire prevention and public fire safety education programs and public information literature in support of municipal fire departments and other stakeholders.

7. Support OFM-led fire investigations by conducting reviews of fire prevention and emergency response practices, conducting post-incident building audits and inspection of emergency scenes.

8. Provide support to the coroners' jury inquest process as assigned.

9. Attends coroner's inquests or other public inquiries, acting as a witness, preparing activity or other reports, correspondence, etc.

10. Monitor, review and assess fire protection services and programs delivered by municipalities and/or communities to identify and assess strengths, deficiencies, non-compliance with the FPPA, gaps in program and service delivery, including identifying trends and issues, analyzing and interpreting municipal emergency response data and statistics and preparing reports on findings with action plans and recommendations for issue mitigation and resolution.

11. Conduct municipal risk assessments, surveys (e.g. Municipal Fire Protection Information Survey), fire service reviews, leading to the creation of municipal master fire plans, in the context of their monitoring duties.

12. Assess deficiencies and identify trends, provide recommendations on development of legislation, policies and planning to improve protection.

13. Conduct assigned fire inspections, including follow-up and enforcement of premises such as: hotels, motels, nursing homes, homes for the aged and special care facilities.

14. Assist fire department officials with inspections of all possible occupancy types, at their request, to assess legislative compliance and assist in the development and preparation of various types of inspection reports and orders under the authority of the FPPA.

15. Assist municipalities to conduct fires safety inspections, including immediate threat to life and orders to close.

16. Gather and analyze information related to emergency services and fire protection, including emergency response data.

17. Provide assistance in a variety of ways during provincial emergencies.

18. Gather local information/date, through a variety of sources such as the media, professional organizations, interest groups, etc., for OFM use in support of monitoring and advisory functions.

19. Maintain knowledge of public safety issues in assigned areas and provide management with pertinent information regarding potentially sensitive issues.

20. Keep current on public fire safety issues, emerging technologies, legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines through the review of periodicals, journals and books through attendance at courses and seminars.

21. Provide theoretical and practical education, training and information sessions to a variety of stakeholders including: fire chiefs and fire department staff members, community fire safety officers and teams, chief administrative officers, heads of council, municipal councillors and local service board members to build awareness, understanding and skills in fire safety, prevention, public education, inspection and code enforcement.

22. Facilitate sessions with municipal council, fire chiefs and/or fire department staff, lead train-the-trainer sessions, participate in the delivery of courses at the Ontario Fire College and elsewhere.

23. Assist with the development and delivery of OFM-supported training programs and evaluation systems in order to certify firefighters and fire prevention officers meeting recognized provincial job performance standards.

24. Support the delivery of presentations and training, in relation to OFM programs, to Regional staff and external client groups (e.g. annual FPA training).

25. Perform administrative duties in district and regional offices, in support of advisory and related activities including: preparing administrative, investigative and evaluative documentation, developing and maintaining municipal/community and fire safety inspection files, writing correspondence and reports, preparing expense activity and attendance reports, ensuring and recording vehicle maintenance, and maintaining office equipment.

26. Ability to work unconventional hours.

27. Other duties, as assigned

Staffing and Licencing :

Valid Ontario Drivers License, Class G or better. Bilingual positions require oral and written communication skills in both English and French oral and written at the advanced level.

Knowledge :

Position requires thorough knowledge of fire protection service delivery systems and practices, sound knowledge of risk assessment and management principles and auditing practices.

Knowledge of fire sciences, fire and life safety principles, theories, techniques, methods and practices to provide fire advice and assistance to internal and external stakeholders in the development and delivery of fire prevention programs, fire public safety education programs, fire suppression techniques and equipment, fire service training programs and fire department administration and management; fire department establishment, development, organization and management to advise fire departments and municipal corporate management regarding the effective and efficient fire protection services, including organizational structure, management practices and design of fire safety services and programs; knowledge of governance issues relating to municipal, regional and other forms of government and the relationship of fire departments within those structures; knowledge of mandate of the Office of the Fire Marshal, relevant federal, provincial and municipal legislation (e.g. FIPPA, Fire Protection and Prevention Act and Ontario Fire Code, Municipal Act, Building Code Act and Ontario Building Code, Occupational Health and Safety Act and Health and Safety Guidelines) as well as all associated guidelines and standards to provide advice and assistance in the application of legislation, standards and best practices and to promote the compliance and enforcement of fire and life safety legislation by fire departments; fire inspection methods and techniques and building construction and built in systems to conduct fire inspections of hotels, nursing homes, homes for the aged and special care facilities and to assist municipal fire departments with inspections at their request.

Knowledge of adult education theory, principles, practices and training methods to provide education, training and information sessions to a variety of stakeholders; leadership techniques to promote and disseminate OFM information, promote fire safety programs and contribute to the recognition and acceptance of contemporary perspectives and attitudes regarding fire safety to influence stakeholders in their provision of effective fire services; use and operation of personal computers and various software programs (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, power-point ) to utilize programs in support of report preparation, municipal reviews and survey documents, training programs, presentations and data maintenance.

Skills :

Analytical skills and problem solving skills to evaluate a range of issues and challenges faced by fire service providers, ability to provide appropriate advice in all aspects of fire protection.

Skills in data gathering, auditing and analytical skills to monitor, review and assess fire protection services and programs delivered by municipalities and/or communities to identify gaps in program and service delivery, trends and existing and emerging issues.

Job requires verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills to effectively deal with a range of ongoing stakeholder contacts, conflict resolution and negotiation skills to facilitate the resolution of disputes that impact public safety.

Written communication skills to prepare a range of technical documents including status reports, issue notes, Municipal Fire Protection Information Survey summary reports, post incident building audits and inspection reports, presentations, municipal fire service reviews, activity reports and letters regarding information, processes and legislative requirements.

Effective organizational skills to manage time, organize work, and record and file information.

Computer skills and software are mandatory, as job requires function of MS Office Suite and other software.

Freedom of Action :

Job requires working within ministry and branch practices and procedures, legislation, regulation, codes, statutes and by-laws governing fire protection and fire prevention standards in Ontario.

Job requires latitude in decision-making, within policy, to provide advice and assistance on fire protection issues. Refer controversial, costly and/or politically sensitive issues to improve public safety to manager, along with recommendations and advice.