Gillies Bay Volunteer Fire Department Chief

Gillies Bay Volunteer Fire Department Chief
Gillies Bay Improvement District  
Gillies Bay, Texada Island, BC 

Position Posting
The Gillies Bay Improvement District is seeking a dedicated, community-minded leader to serve as Chief of the Gillies Bay Volunteer Fire Department. This is an important leadership opportunity for an experienced fire service member who is committed to public safety, volunteer team development, emergency preparedness, and service to the Gillies Bay and Texada Island community.

The Gillies Bay Volunteer Fire Department provides fire protection and 1 st Responder services to Gillies Bay and the surrounding fire protection area. The Department also works cooperatively with other emergency service partners on Texada Island and in the region, supporting a safe, prepared, and resilient island community.

Role Summary
Reporting to the Gillies Bay Improvement District Board of Trustees, the Fire Chief is responsible for the overall leadership, administration, operational readiness, training, safety, and effective management of the Gillies Bay Volunteer Fire Department. The Fire Chief provides direction during emergency incidents, supports recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters, maintains required records, and ensures that departmental activities are carried out in accordance with applicable legislation, policies, standards, and best practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, supervision, and operational direction to volunteer firefighters.
• Serve as Incident Commander or senior fire officer during emergency responses, as appropriate.
• Promote a positive, respectful, inclusive, and safety-focused volunteer department culture.
• Coordinate and support training, drills, competency development, and member readiness.
• Oversee fire suppression readiness, emergency response procedures, fire prevention activities, and community safety education.
• Support volunteer firefighter recruitment, onboarding, retention, mentoring, and succession planning.
• Maintain department records, including training, attendance, incident, equipment, inspection, and maintenance records.
• Ensure apparatus, equipment, personal protective equipment, and facilities are inspected, maintained, and ready for response.
• Prepare reports and recommendations for the Gillies Bay Improvement District Board of Trustees.
• Assist with annual planning, budgeting, procurement recommendations, and policy development.
• Liaise with regional emergency services, mutual aid partners, provincial agencies, and community organizations.
• Support compliance with applicable occupational health and safety requirements, emergency service standards, and local government policies.

Required Qualifications

• Progressive experience in the fire service, preferably in a volunteer or composite fire department environment.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including supervision, mentoring, training, or incident command responsibilities.
• Working knowledge of fire suppression operations, emergency scene management, fire prevention, firefighter safety, and volunteer department administration.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work respectfully with volunteers, elected or appointed officials, community members, emergency service partners, and the public.
• Valid BC driver’s licence; a Class 3 licence with air brake endorsement is preferred or may be required within an agreed timeframe.
• Ability to meet physical, availability, and response expectations associated with the role.
• Residence in, or ability to maintain effective response availability within, the Gillies Bay fire protection area or an area acceptable to the Gillies Bay Improvement District.

Preferred Qualifications

• Fire Officer certification, Incident Command System training, or equivalent fire service leadership training.
• First Responder, emergency medical responder, or comparable emergency response certification.
• Experience developing or implementing operational guidelines, training plans, safety programs, or emergency response procedures.
• Experience working with local government, improvement district governance, budgets, grants, procurement, or public reporting.
• Knowledge of rural, island, interface, or remote community emergency response considerations.

Why Join Us?
This position offers the opportunity to lead a committed volunteer fire department serving a close-knit island community. The successful candidate will help strengthen emergency preparedness, mentor volunteers, support community fire safety, and contribute directly to the wellbeing of Gillies Bay and Texada Island.

Compensation and Terms
This is a volunteer leadership position with compensation, stipend, expense reimbursement, and/or other terms to be confirmed by the Gillies Bay Improvement District. Appointment is subject to successful completion of required checks, references, and any conditions established by the GBID.

How to Apply
Qualified applicants are invited to submit a cover letter and résumé outlining their fire service experience, leadership background, qualifications, and interest in serving the Gillies Bay community.

Apply to:
Corporate Officer, Gillies Bay Improvement District
Email:  View email address on civicjobs.ca

Application deadline: Open until filled.
Posting reference: Gillies Bay Volunteer Fire Department Chief