City and County of San Francisco

Captain, Fire Suppression (#H030)

$82.16-$82.16 Hourly / $14,242.00-$14,242.00 Monthly / $170,898.00-$170,898.00 Yearly


Definition

Under general direction from higher-ranking officers in the Department, the H030 Captain is a working supervisor who commands a firefighting company (encompassing all crew shifts) in the performance of emergency and non-emergency tasks. Emergency tasks include those associated with receipt of an alarm, arrival at the scene, size-up, search and rescue, fire extinguishing, ventilation, salvage, overhaul, and emergency medical care. In the absence of a senior officer, a captain directs and ensures the efficiency of multi-unit operations. Non-emergency tasks include those associated with developing and administering station policy, ensuring compliance with departmental policy, completing and maintaining unit records and reports, training, and community relations. A captain may also be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Distinguishing Features

An H030 Captain is distinguished from an H032 Captain in Fire Prevention and Investigation and an H033 Captain in Emergency Medical Services in that the latter do not supervise crews engaged in fire suppression work. An H030 Captain is distinguished from an H020 Lieutenant, Fire Suppression in that the H020 is not responsible for developing station policy. An H030 Captain is distinguished from an H040 Battalion Chief in that the latter oversees several stations in a battalion, has broader command authority at emergency incidents, and is assigned to investigations.

Supervision Exercised

Direct supervision of a crew of firefighters.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

  1. In preparing for tour of duty: Reads journal and other written communications to determine what activities were conducted on prior tours in order to determine if schedules and policies are being followed and/or if something needs to be discussed with others; Confers with off-going officer and crew to obtain information about previous tour; Monitors communication systems (radio, telephone, CAD) for information to determine status of emergency activities in the city; Notifies Battalion Chief in district if there is a personnel shortage and/or no shows; Checks projections for the day at beginning of tour and conducts roll call to determine that appropriate personnel are on duty; Communicates via Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) with the communications center when going out of service or there is a change in Basic Life Support (BLS)/Advanced Life Support (ALS) status; Verbally informs firefighters and lieutenants about changes in practices, policy, procedures, daily activities, or other information; Plans daily schedule of station duties in the firehouse; Delegates duties to other officers or firefighters when Captain will be out of the station; Assigns station watches such as cooking, cleaning, and building and equipment maintenance; Assigns positions on trucks and engines to firefighters; Notifies Battalion Chief of changes or shortages of personnel that occur during the day, and of any unusual circumstances that could affect the operations of the company; Monitors email and CAD in station throughout the watch/day; etc.
  2. In performing tasks from receipt of alarm to arrival at scene: Reads dispatch describing alarm in order to determine the nature of the alarm; Informs communications center via MDT, when unit is Apparatus Available On Radio (AOR), that unit is responding to the incident; Puts on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and officer's equipment (officer's belt, radio) in response to alarm; Observes firefighters, on receipt of alarm, to verify that they have donned protective clothing and seat-belted themselves into vehicle to prepare for departure; Confers with driver about route to be followed, so as to avoid delays that might be caused by obstructions such as traffic jams or construction, and taking into account routes to be taken by other equipment to avoid conflict with them; Listens to radio while responding to scene to learn of conditions on scene and to plan what positions and actions should be taken by his or her crew and apparatus; Announces to the crew (verbally or using visual signals) information relevant to the company's response so that the crew is better prepared to handle the incident, while en route to scene; Instructs firefighters of equipment needed upon arrival, while en route to scene; Plans actions and options while en route to incident so as to be ready to size up the situation and to take action on arrival; Reports to communications center via radio that unit is on the scene when first on scene, all other units report on scene via MDT; Attends to visual and olfactory cues while approaching emergency in order to prepare response to or action at scene; Instructs driver to position pumper so that there is access to the fire and/or to water supply, and so as not to interfere with later-arriving equipment; Instructs driver to position truck for use of hand and aerial ladders, paying special attention to overhead obstructions, such as power lines, in positioning the vehicle; Notifies communications center of problems encountered (e.g., accident or breakdown) on way to scene; Upon arrival at emergency incidents, gives initial radio report to the communications center. When second or third to arrive, coordinates with Incident Commander whether other leads are needed, where to enter, and/or whether to relieve; Receives and carries out orders from Incident Commander; Understands oral instructions or oral information from superiors, subordinates, and peers at emergency incidents; etc.
  3. In performing tasks related to incident size-up, tactics and incident command: Sizes up fire by observing extent and location of smoke and flames, noting wind, type and contents of building or object that is on fire, and exposure potential of adjacent structures to determine additional support personnel and/or equipment needed at emergency site; Informs communications center of conditions of fire and need for additional resources; Asks questions, observes behavior of occupants, and evaluates characteristics of smoke, fire, and heat to determine probable seat of fire; Assesses conditions inside facility, such as condition of building, characteristics of smoke, heat, and fire, paths of extension, and means of egress, in order to ensure safety for companies working inside; Assesses heat, smoke, and flames to determine potential for fire to spread and whether a greater alarm is needed; Assesses scene to determine if the area is unsafe and if actions such as area evacuation, traffic re-routing, and crowd control procedures should be taken; Assesses the extent of the fire and emergency, and the resources available, to determine whether other agencies (e.g., SFPD, PG&E) are needed; Assesses time of day, wind conditions, crowd situation, and other such factors to determine degree of hazard and its potential extension; Evaluates conditions of fire scene to determine type of extinguisher (water, carbon dioxide, dry chemical) or extinguishing agent to use (foam); Instructs crew on how and where to enter fire scene; Instructs crew on what equipment to bring; Ensures driver has an adequate water supply, based on an evaluation of fire characteristics, type of building, and input available from witnesses or communications center; Directs driver regarding hydrant and hose connections to make; Directs crew where to lay and deploy hoses to extinguish fire or protect exposures; Instructs crew on amount, size, and placement of hoses needed; Directs crew to turn off utility shut-off valves, when necessary; Directs crew to charge hose when it is in the proper position; Directs crew regarding where to direct water and when to advance hoses to extinguish fire; Instructs crew on size of ladders needed, and where to position ladders; Directs crew on what to do after fire escape has been laddered; Directs driver and tiller operator on what actions to take after aerial is put up; Directs crew to assist others in their tasks such as putting up ladders, opening up walls, extinguishing fire, or pulling leads; Orders or checks for proper placement of company rig and equipment to ensure that they can address emergency; Questions citizens on scene about special circumstances (e.g., unusual color of smoke) to determine action to be taken; As Incident Commander, directs officers and crews on what actions they should take to address the situation; Informs Incident Commander when electricity and gas need to be turned off to maintain safety of fire scene; Exchanges information with other responding units and resources (e.g., SFPD, cliff rescue unit) in order to direct and coordinate the activities of the units; Receives information via radio from officers inside the building in order to direct activity of other responding companies and to assess safety conditions within the building; Communicates verbally with members of the fire unit to keep them informed of activities that might affect them next in the sequence of firefighting activities; Monitors physical condition of personnel (e.g., fatigue, steadiness) in order to determine if or when replacement personnel are needed; Offers support to subordinates and peers at the scene of emergency incidents; etc.
  4. In performing tasks related to responding to hazardous material incidents: Determines the nature of a potential hazard from reading labels or consulting reference books; Refers to guidebook when dealing with unknown substance and/or potential hazardous material to determine next steps; Establishes isolation zones after evaluation of the scene and determining that there is a hazardous situation; Decides whether to actively handle materials at the scene or retreat; Orders evacuation of area surrounding material to prevent toxic exposure; Re-routes traffic around spill site to prevent toxic exposure to motorists; Establishes adequate crowd control to keep site clear and prevent toxic exposure; Orders pollution control unit/other resources to assist in containing hazard; Instructs crew and public regarding the safe distance to be from hazardous materials; Calls communications center for Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) unit to respond with information and recommended procedure in dealing with hazardous materials; Instructs crew about what protective gear to wear at the scene of a hazardous materials spill; Directs containment of hazard by ordering sand, dirt, or other such material to be placed on or near hazard; etc.
  5. In performing search and rescue activities: Evaluates conditions to determine if they are safe for firefighters to proceed with rescue (e.g., conditions of fire, tides and currents, if equipment needed is available, etc.); Evaluates nature of fire and degree of spread to determine if victims should be relocated to a safe area or evacuated; Determines priority in rescue of victims when multiple victims are involved; Gathers information from various sources at emergency scene (e.g., communications center or witnesses) regarding location of victims and special circumstances; Questions the company or building engineer in order to obtain information concerning the operation of the elevator and to make decisions on how to rescue trapped individuals; Communicates with trapped victims to calm and reassure them during emergency and hazardous situations until they can be rescued; Evaluates the conditions of victims and determines the type of help needed; Communicates via radio with other officers or units on scene in order to coordinate efforts to rescue victims; Requests through Incident Commander additional assistance of special units; Directs firefighters in how to rescue victims, what equipment to use, and where to use the equipment; Directs firefighters on how to affect a forced entry, what equipment to use, and where to use the equipment; Assists firefighters in carrying out rescue activities; etc.
  6. In performing ventilation, salvage, and overhaul activities: Confers with Incident Commander regarding proposed ventilation tactics; Evaluates condition and type of roof to determine whether roof is safe to support the weight of the firefighters and their equipment; Evaluates conditions of fire, smoke, heat, wind, etc., and type of dwelling, to determine where, when, and how building should be ventilated to retard the spread of fire and to avoid back-draft; Directs crew to ladder building (truck, aerial) to gain access to upper floors and roof for purposes of ventilation; Directs crew which specific tools and equipment to use and where to ventilate; Directs crew to place fans in order to ventilate a structure; Directs crew to shut off sprinkler system to prevent excessive damage to property; Directs crew where to open walls, pull ceilings, and other such actions to check for fire extension; Directs crew to pull down ceilings or to open walls to facilitate inspection to locate remaining fire or hot spots; Directs crew to remove furniture, appliances, material, etc., to outside to eliminate possibility of rekindle; Visually inspects premises closely to determine if fire has been extinguished and that it will not rekindle; Directs crew to replace sprinkler heads in order to ensure that sprinkler system functions properly; etc.
  7. In performing first aid-related activities: Responds to a wide variety of first aid incidents including stabbings, shootings, seizures, etc.; Carries out first aid at emergency situations including resuscitation and CPR; Carries out the appropriate safety precautions at first aid incidents in order to prevent exposure to body fluids and infectious diseases; Observes that firefighters are wearing appropriate protective equipment when administering first aid; Ensures that proper medical equipment is brought to site of medical emergency; Gathers information as to the condition of a first aid victim in order to provide as much information as possible for the use of paramedics; Analyzes first aid scene to determine what safety procedures need to be implemented to protect the fire crew; Reports condition of victim to communications center so that they can inform ambulance crew of nature and urgency of situation; Administers first responder treatment such as neck braces, oxygen, and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in order to help victim until paramedics arrive; Coordinates activities with police and ambulance personnel at first aid scene; Questions victim and/or bystanders to gather information to determine nature and extent of medical emergency and treatment needed (e.g., level of consciousness, current medical history); Provides to paramedics additional information that has been obtained by questioning others; Removes relatives of sick and injured persons to the periphery of a scene/area of safety without upsetting them unnecessarily; Calls and follows up with department doctor, when a contagious disease was suspected at scene of emergency, to ensure that all required paperwork and documentation is complete and crew and others are safe; Attends all medical related classes as ordered by the Department; Uses defibrillator in emergency medical situations; etc.
  8. In performing tasks related to conducting investigations into cause of fire: Looks for unusual circumstances at scene to identify possible cause of fire; Looks for signs of arson in order to notify arson squad to conduct an investigation; Preserves suspicious area, and preserves evidence for use by arson squad; Directs crew on who can and cannot enter the building to ensure safety of crew and preservation of evidence; Informs the Incident Commander about suspicious aspects of fire, such as if there was an unusual odor, more than one fire in different areas, or broken doors; etc.
  9. In performing inspection-related activities: Looks for fire hazards, checks tags on fire extinguishers and alarm systems, and determines during inspections if there is a fire code violation; Writes corrective actions for violations of the fire code; Informs other agencies of apparent violations of building code, housing code, or health code; Issues verbal warning to owner or manager if there is a violation of code or if other dangerous situations exist; Takes immediate action to correct hazards that are discovered during building inspections; Reports obvious hazards, such as flammable rubbish or locked doors, to owners of buildings and to Battalion Chief and/or Bureau of Fire Prevention (BFP); Reports apparent violations of fire safety code to BFP for action; Inspects buildings to see if the corrective action previously noted has been corrected; Notifies proper agencies to correct problems with hydrants discovered during inspections; Physically inspects first-alarm area for location of hydrants; Inspects BART/Muni facilities and piers to ensure that areas are un-obstructed, free of hazards, and equipment is available to facilitate emergency response; Conducts target hazard inspection with crew in order to familiarize self and crew with facility in the event of an emergency; Directs crew regarding what to check for and to observe during an inspection so that they will be prepared if there is an emergency at the site; Reviews pre-fire plans and access maps for properties to prepare for company operations in the event of greater alarm fires or natural disasters; Familiarizes self with building or transit systems (e.g., building layout, type of occupancy, and structural information) during inspection, so that in an emergency will be able to respond appropriately; Observes fire drills at schools and determines the amount of time taken to evacuate the school building, in order to ensure that evacuations can be carried out in a safe and timely manner; During school inspections, inspects the school building (e.g., exits and fire extinguishers) to ensure that it complies with the fire code; etc.
  10. In performing activities related to determining and enforcing fire house policy: Writes house policy delegating specific duties to other officers, with the approval of the Battalion Chief; Submits written policies that he or she has formulated to Battalion Chief for approval; Enforces the house policy for activities such as station watch, details, trades, cooking, use of facilities, etc.; Enforces the house policy for implementing new or modified general orders or changes in SFFD rules and regulations; Writes house policy for special situations that are not covered in SFFD rules and regulations with the approval of the Battalion Chief; Answers questions orally to clarify or provide an interpretation regarding SFFD and house policies; Assigns special cleaning and equipment maintenance duties in preparation for the Assistant Chief's Tri-Annual inspection; etc.
  11. In performing activities related to monitoring, evaluating, and counseling subordinates: Observes firefighters to ensure that they comply with daily schedules; Provides verbal information to clarify SFFD policy and procedures; Helps firefighters overcome difficulties or deficiencies with regard to their work; Offers support to subordinates and peers during training and at the scene of emergency incidents; Assesses the performance of subordinates and completes their performance appraisal ratings; Determines whether the performance of subordinates warrants citation for merit or disciplinary action; Provides feedback to crew in firefighting incidents in order to improve firefighter performance; Counsels subordinates when there is a performance standards or personnel problem; Reconciles problems between firefighters, between firefighters and officers, and between firefighters and self; Monitors the behavior of subordinates for incidences of harassing or discriminatory behavior (e.g., racism, sexism) so that the behavior can be deterred; Counsels subordinates about incidents of discriminatory behavior in order to ensure that they do not happen in the future; Maintains an awareness of, and sensitivity to, work behaviors that are not appropriate for a male/female work environment; Notifies the Battalion Chief of potential discriminatory behavior in the station; Refers interpersonal problems such as racial conflicts to the Battalion Chief and/or the Department of Human Resources (DHR); Refers unresolved grievances, such as daily assignments or interpersonal conflict between firefighters and officers, to Battalion Chief; Documents a formal counseling session with firefighter to indicate what issue was discussed and actions taken or recommended; Monitors behaviors of firefighters for signs to identify personal problems (stress, substance abuse) that may interfere with performing the job; Informs firefighter of agencies such as the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CSID) and Employee Assistance Program (EAP), that deal with stress-related problems when assistance is needed; Takes appropriate action(s), in accordance with the Managing Employee Performance (MEP) manual, such as taking trades away, assigning night watch or details without credit, or filing formal charges; Visually inspects crew for appropriate attire to determine compliance with department regulations; Conducts drills with firefighters to assess their performance, to provide feedback, and to observe their progress; Works with a probationary firefighter in order to observe and assist performance of probationary firefighter; Questions probationary firefighter on informal and irregular basis to determine if probationary firefighter is keeping up with required reading; Monitors performance of probationary firefighters assigned to him or her; Conducts evaluations of probationary firefighters; etc.
  12. In performing activities related to information gathering, report writing, and record keeping: Completes reports on probationary firefighters' performance; Reads posted information on board in order to make decisions about personnel and equipment needs for the tour; Reads general orders and email messages to learn about changes in practice, policy, procedure, or other information; Checks via PeopleSoft and Human Resources Management System (HRMS) to understand and determine personnel needs for tour; Ensures that time roll in PeopleSoft is correct and submits to Battalion Chief for approval; Maintains daily company watch and detail chart to identify personnel assignments; Records and maintains records for inventory regarding lost, damaged, or stolen equipment; Maintains station files using the standardized SFFD filing system; Verifies that departmental forms are completed properly; Writes information on board so that the next officer knows about the station's personnel and equipment needs; Keeps records of apparatus and equipment service, repairs, and exchanges; Records and maintains records for equipment, fuel, and supplies used in order to determine when materials need to be ordered; Makes journal entries to record maintenance performed by an outside agency (e.g., Public Works); Records daily record of company operations to indicate emergency runs, training drills, inspections made, and other activities in journal; Writes in fire journal to indicate location of fire, time, incident number, who responded, what equipment used, and how extinguished; Sets up the year's journal to indicate schedules and activities that need to be carried out; Interviews witnesses and gathers on-site information needed to complete own accident reports; Completes National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) forms with required information such as what happened, where did it occur, what equipment was used, and who was involved; Completes NFIRS forms to include such information as materials involved, source of ignition, degree of damage, etc., according to the code supplied by the state fire marshal and fire insurance companies; Utilizes standardized forms, personnel injury reports, equipment reports, fire prevention reports, etc., to record information; Prepares and updates Emergency Duty Recall Roster; Prepares reports to document Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) complaints; Documents violations of written policies according to MEP policies and procedures; Prepares reports on unusual occurrences; Completes reports detailing the facts of discriminatory behavior within the company according to MEP guidelines and/or EEO policies and procedures; Completes Post-Fire Analysis (major incident report) after a greater alarm by writing descriptions of the fire and actions taken at the scene.
  13. In performing activities related to ensuring compliance with Departmental policy: Interprets and explains administrative directives to firefighters and lieutenants; Meets with the Battalion Chief to exchange information regarding the activities of the company; Meets with the Battalion Chief to obtain an explanation of any new policies that affect the company, etc.
  14. In performing activities related to training: Reviews the drill manual to determine the proper method of conducting training drills; Demonstrates equipment and procedures during drills in order to provide training for firefighters; Trains firefighters in proper inspection procedures for tools, equipment, and/or apparatus; Participates as a member of a team in training drills; Demonstrates to subordinates how work tasks should be done; Shares his or her firefighting experience with subordinates and peers; During training drills, explains to the crew the importance of the information to be covered in order to motivate them; Asks subordinates questions during training drills to ensure that they understand; Trains firefighters concerning the policies and procedures of the firefighting unit; Reads SFFD publications and other written materials for new fire prevention and suppression techniques; Reads equipment maintenance manuals and operating instructions to maintain proficiency and to instruct firefighters; Schedules and sets up special drills for house when there are new pieces of equipment, specialized equipment, or for cross-training; Counsels probationary firefighters on informal and formal operations in station house and department; Develops drills and evaluation procedures for drills designed for probationary firefighters; Gives one-on-one and group drills to probationary firefighters to improve their job knowledge and work skills; Gives reading assignments to probationary firefighters to ensure that they improve their job knowledge; Gives quizzes to probationary firefighters in order to determine their level of knowledge and work proficiency; Supervises the training of probationary firefighters by other firefighters, as necessary; Offers support to subordinates and peers during training; etc.
  15. In performing activities related to community relations: Inform members of fire unit about visitors to the house so that everyone is aware of the presence of others; Provides ladder service/entry to police when wellness checks have been called in; etc.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of: the streets, and traffic laws and patterns in the City; the Department's rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and practices; training principles and bulletins; Department manuals; the general principles of fire science; the uses, capabilities, and limitations of firefighting equipment; fire investigation and fire safety inspection procedures; and fire and building codes related to fire suppression systems.

Ability or Skill to: supervise effectively at fire and other emergency situations; perform search and rescue; effectively administer first aid; conduct investigations and inspections expeditiously; write and enforce station policy; train, monitor, evaluate, and counsel firefighters; gather information, write reports, and maintain records; ensure compliance with Department policy; effectively relate to the community; and effectively work with subordinates, peers, and superiors.

Minimum Qualifications

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification.  Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

Education:

Permanent status and successful completion of probationary period in class H020 Lieutenant.

License and Certification:

Substitution:

Notes

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

 

PROMOTIVE LINES

To: H040 Battalion Chief

From: H020 Lieutenant

ORIGINATION DATE:

 

AMENDED DATE:

02/04/11; 04/11/16; 07/31/19

REASON FOR AMENDMENT:

To accurately reflect the current tasks, knowledge, skills & abilities, and minimum qualifications.

Business unit(s):

COMMN

 


CLASS: H030; REV: 7/31/2019;