Deputy Chief of Training

Position Details

• Job Status: Full Time Permanent
• Hours of Work: 35 Hours per Week
• Posting Date: August 20, 2026
• Closing Date: September 9, 2026
• Location: Thedford
• Department: Fire

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Fire Chief, and as member of the Fire Management Team, the Deputy Chief is responsible for providing leadership, management, administration and operational oversight within their assigned portfolio. The Deputy Chief assists in the development and implementation of departmental policies, procedures, strategic initiatives, training standards, and operational objectives while ensuring the effective delivery of fire protection services in accordance with departmental policies, municipal by-laws, applicable legislation and established service levels.

The Deputy Chief provides supervision and leadership to assigned personnel, supports organizational discipline and performance management processes, participates in budget planning and resource management, and contributes to the ongoing development of departmental programs and services.

The Deputy Chief may act on behalf of the Fire Chief during periods of absence and may respond as a senior officer in support of emergency operations and departmental response model. This position may require after-hours availability.

The Deputy Chief of Training is responsible for leadership, development, implementation, coordination, evaluation, and continuous improvement of all training, professional development, recruit training, officer development, certification programs, and competency-based learning initiatives. This includes ensuring compliance with applicable legislation, NFPA standards, departmental policies, and recognized fire service best practices while maintaining firefighter competency and operational readiness and the supervision and coordination of district chiefs, station officers and firefighters to ensure consistent training delivery, training effectiveness, firefighter safety, and compliance with departmental training standards.

Primary Duties

• Acts as the alternate Community Emergency Management Coordinator.
• Develops and implements training programs, manuals, lesson plans, guide sheets and a department wide annual training calendar for firefighters to ensure fire department personnel are meeting and maintaining performance levels as established by the department.
• Responsible for the delivery of training programs such as, but not limited to, recruit training, officer development, emergency patient care, vehicle driver/operator training, auto extrication, technical rescue training such as ice/water rescue, rope rescue, and hazmat and fire suppression to maintain continuity of training and achieve training goals and objectives.
• Assists with providing leadership and oversight of personnel performance management, operational effectiveness, and workforce development initiatives.
• Meets regularly with the Fire Chief, Deputy Chief – Operations and District Chiefs to assist in developing and maintaining a progressive and efficient training program.
• Monitors and evaluates ongoing training programs to ensure they are current, meet legislated and department requirements and address department training objectives.
• Ensures training records are complete and up to date in the departmental records management system and any other departmental learning management systems or training programs as directed.
• Participates in the development, administration, monitoring and annual review of training division budget, including expenditure monitoring, forecasting, resource allocation, and capital planning; prepares reports and recommendations to support departmental objectives and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Assists Deputy Chief – Operations with development of operating guidelines for equipment and procedures.
• Responds as a senior officer to emergency incidents according to departmental response models, protocols and operational requirements. Provides incident command, command support, operational coordination, resource deployment, and strategic oversight to support the Incident Commander and ensure safe, effective and efficient emergency response operations.
• Provides leadership and oversight to support compliance with applicable legislation, regulations, standards, and departmental policies, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Fire Protection and Prevention Act; promotes a culture of health, safety, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
• Demonstrates commitment to personal and professional development by staying current with legislation, regulations, technology and organizational theory and practices. Attends related conferences, seminars, courses, workshops to keep abreast of emerging issues in the fire service.
• Willingness to work flexible shifts averaging 35 hours per week, with majority of training delivery occurring evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma;
• Post-secondary education in Emergency Services Management, Fire Administration or equivalent professional experience preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in fire and rescue services (text truncated here).