MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS When Selecting a Fire Chief What You Need to Know, What We Didn't DO

When looking for a fire chief candidate the fire district board should:
1. When necessary, call AFDA at: 1-888-511-AFDA (2332). AFDA has people willing to help you with understanding your board responsibilities.
2. Agree on qualifications and put them in writing.
3. Agree on duties and put them in writing.
4. Agree on pay and benefits and put them in writing.
5. Advertise: a. AFDA Newsletter b. Newspaper c. Ask other fire districts
6. Send out questionnaires and job applications with a list of qualifications, duties, pay and benefits. 
7. Set up a review board made up of a combination of local and out of district people. Call AFDA for help reviewing the information you get back.
8. Complete a background check on potential candidate (See Chapter 7, Section 1).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Education/Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree or better in public administration, political science, fire sciences or other related field.

In addition, ten years of experience in the fire protection field including a minimum of five years of administrative, management and supervisory experience. Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Fire District Handbook