Fire Chief

Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine

Fire Chief

Come for the Outdoor Adventure and Stay for the Job!

The Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine (RDKS) is pleased to announce we are searching for a permanent part-time Fire Chief for the Dease Lake Volunteer Fire Department. This position is based in Dease Lake, B.C., and offers a competitive hourly rate of $41.82/hr.

Dease Lake is a small community located approximately 600 km north of Terrace on Highway 37, on the traditional territory of the Tahltan Nation.

Purpose Statement:
The Dease Lake Fire Chief, under the overall direction of the Fire Chief, will assist with planning, direction and controlling many aspects of the Dease Lake Volunteer Fire Department including, but not limited to administration, fire suppression, fire prevention, rescue activities, recruitment of personnel, training, purchase of equipment, control of expenditures, budgeting and assignment of personnel and equipment. This part-time position will require approximately 8 – 10 hours per week.

Direct Reports:
Approximately 15 Volunteer Firefighters

Major Duties and Responsibilities:
The Dease Lake Fire Chief will be responsible for the safe delivery of the declared level of service, as identified in the Fire Safety Act, the Minimum Fire Training Standards and associated regulations; WorkSafe BC regulation and the Dease Lake Volunteer Fire Department’s Standard Operating Guidelines while fostering morale, mutual respect, teamwork, and departmental effectiveness.

• Act as the local point of contact for the fire department.
• Ensure the required training and skills maintenance programs are effective and delivered once a week.
• Manage fire department volunteer staff, perform staff reviews, provide guidance, feedback and discipline as needed.
• Emergency response is a pivotal part of this position and may include operating in all roles, such as Incident Commander, other officer positions, driver or firefighter. This includes duties, as needed, in an Emergency Operation Center.
• Coordinate recruitment and retention programs and implement the established application process.
• Ensure the emergency line (radio interconnect) is always monitored and answered by Fire Chief or designate 24/7/365.
• Ensure the fire hall, apparatus and equipment are kept in a state of operational readiness.
• Conduct fire prevention activities within the community through attendance at community events, presentations at the school, etc.
• Lead fire inspections and fire investigations, as required by legislation and regulation.
• Ensure that all required documentation is completed and kept up to date, training and attendance records, PPE and equipment assignments, truck and equipment maintenance and repairs incident reporting (including mandatory fire reporting to the Office of the Fire Commissioner as required).
• Carry out any additional tasks and functions as assigned by the Regional Fire Chief, Director of Protective Services or CAO.

Working with others:
This position is required to maintain strong working relationships with the public, First Nations and external emergency response agencies such as RCMP, BCEHS, neighboring fire departments, BC Wildfire Service, BC Coroners Service, Office of the Fire Commissioner, and others.

Internally, working with other RDKS staff as needed.

Skills and Abilities: 
The incumbent will possess:

• Strong leadership qualities.
• Ability to remain calm, think critically and establish a clear Incident Command structure during emergency responses.
• Demonstrate sound work ethic and exercise good judgement.
• Ability to understand, comprehend and apply policies and guidelines to safely operate the department.
• Ability to make decisions independently in accordance with established policy and procedures.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Ability to maintain flexibility and conduct oneself with consistency and fairness.
• Strong computer skills for documentation, data entry and reporting.
• Advanced experience with all firefighting equipment, apparatus operation and testing, including power equipment saws, fans, hydraulic tools, power generation.
• Ability to understand, comprehend and apply policies and guidelines to operate the department and recommend necessary changes.

Specific Training and Experience:

• The individual shall have completed NFPA 1001 Level II.
• Fire officer experience.
• Prior experience as a volunteer firefighter and/or fire officer is preferred OR Served as a Volunteer Firefighter or in similar paramilitary organization.
• NFPA 1021 is preferred.
• Post-secondary education preferred.
• Fire Investigation/Prevention also would be an asset.

Financial Responsibilities:

• This position will assist with the preparation of budgets.
• Submit purchase recommendations and execute approved purchases.
• The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the Dease Lake Volunteer Fire Department’s training budget as well as assisting the Regional Fire Chief with day-to-day purchases and will have invoice and purchasing authority in their absence.

Work Environment:

• Works in harsh weather environments at times: extreme cold or heat.
• Required to wear correct Personal Protective Equipment to prevent injury from noise, smells, danger, and falls from height.
• Interruptions to daily tasks are unavoidable, at times task completion may be difficult.
• Travel within the RDKS as required or directed by the Regional Fire Chief, Director of Protective Services or CAO.
• One significant risk as a firefighter is Cancer; reasons include increased exposure to toxic environments, cross contamination, diesel exhaust, and storage of PPE to name a few.

Physical, Mental and Visual Demands

• Requires strong situational awareness with focused mental effort during response and collaboration with others including volunteers.
• Required to respond to emergency incidents to ensure the success of the responding crews while fostering professional development of others.
• Physical demands will be placed on the individual dependent on task including moving and lifting of heavy objects. These attributes are essential for the safety of the firefighters.

Required Licenses/Certifications
Required upon hire:

• Hold a valid Class 5 with air brake endorsement
• Complete Criminal Record Check with vulnerable sector screening
• NFPA 1001 Level II
• NFPA 1002 is an asset

Required within 1 year of hire:

• Incident Command System 100
• Incident Command System 200
• OFC Fire Investigation and Fire Inspection training

Please submit your cover letter, resume and references by mail or email to the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine by 9:00 a.m. on Monday, November 30, 2026 . We appreciate your interest when applying and advise that only candidates under active consideration will be contacted.

Director of Administration/Human Resources Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine
Suite 300 – 4545 Lazelle Avenue Terrace, B.C. V8G 4E1
Open Email Application