District of Peachland
Deputy Fire Chief – Community Safety
The District of Peachland is a vibrant and growing community of approximately 6,400 residents, located on the shores of the Okanagan Lake in the scenic Okanagan Valley in British Columbia.
We are currently seeking an experienced and dynamic Deputy Fire Chief – Community Safety to join our Fire Department. Reporting to the Fire Chief, this position is responsible for providing leadership, operational expertise and financial accountability, oversight of the Fire Prevention programs, playing a key role in managing long-term risk reduction programs and risk-based emergency response, supporting the on-call Duty Officer rotation for responses and activation of the Regional Emergency Operations Centre, the facilitation of the FireSmart Program as the FireSmart coordinator and act as the main point of contact for the FireSmart Program.
The key responsibilities of the Deputy Fire Chief – Community Safety include:
Program Development and Implementation:
- Manages the development and implementation of the Department's Fire Prevention programs:
- Public Education - designed to prevent fires & minimize the impact on the public when fires occur,
- Inspection - designed to identify and eliminate hazards to life and property,
- Fire Investigation is used to identify the cause of fires and determine future educational needs and prevention strategies.
- Pre-Incident Planning- Establish and maintain a pre-incident planning system that provides information on all complex buildings and facilities within the District. The system provides vital information, ensuring staff safety.
- Coordinate public education work being completed through the Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) funds.
- Organize open houses and participate in community events and outreach programs such as Community Wildfire Preparedness Day, farmer’s markets, local sporting events, school presentations, exhibitions, tradeshows, community group meetings and more to engage and educate the public on fire safety, prevention, Fire Smart information, and emergency notifications.
- Organize, plan, and participate in community fuel mitigation events.
- Assist the Fire Chief with coordinating, developing & maintaining the emergency plans for the District.
Operations: Administration/Working Function:
- Assists the Fire Chief in the administration of the Fire Department.
- Duty Chief – 24/7 rotational coverage, incident commander or senior officer at emergency scenes, safety assessments, equipment service and emergency repairs.
- Respond to after-hour fires to perform fire cause and determination (investigation) as required.
- Respond to emergency fire, rescue and medical calls during normal working hours.
- Work closely with all regional departments on a variety of tasks.
- Support local and regional emergency management initiatives (EOC).
- Coordinate and make recommendations on wildfire mitigation activities such as vegetation management and suppression equipment.
- Fire Prevention duties include fire protection requirements for new and existing buildings – Working in conjunction with the development services, making decisions that meet the intent of the code requirements and considering the financial impact to the business owner.
- Administration of all fire safety inspections.
- Assists in writing departmental rules, regulations, procedures, and policies in accordance with District policies and any applicable legislative or governing bodies.
Customer Service/Communications:
- Ensure effective communication and customer service with the public, District staff, consultants and all levels of government to efficiently facilitate all aspects of the position.
- Based on hazard assessments, provide FireSmart recommendations to homeowners that reduce the wildfire hazards on their properties.
- Collaborate and coordinate with other BC Fire Smart Committee member agencies (BC Wildfire Service, Fire Departments, First Nations, BC Parks, etc.) in the area.
- Coordinate and implement FireSmart programming tailored to the needs of the community.
- Organize and execute wildfire resiliency projects in collaboration with the community.
- Develop and distribute internal, external, and public communications related to FireSmart activities.
- Promote FireSmart education, training, and certification opportunities.
- Coordinate FireSmart home and community assessments.
- Identify and prioritize high-risk wildfire zones within the community for focused mitigation efforts.
Financial Responsibilities:
- Provides input for the Fire Rescue Service's overall annual operating and capital budgets as well as five-year and long-term projections and makes recommendations to the Fire Chief.
- Pursue external grant funding opportunities.
- Seek and administer new Fire Smart grant opportunities.
Leadership/Supervisory Responsibilities:
Under the direction of the Fire Chief:
- Participates in human resources matters, including staff recruitment, personnel issues and disciplinary actions.
- Leads and coordinates Fire Inspection/Prevention activities.
- Provides advice and assistance to paid on-call staff on operational and administrative matters, while fostering teamwork and effective, respectful communication within the department
- Training for Fire Smart personnel.
- Recruit community leaders to plan and implement wildfire mitigations in their own neighbourhoods.
Qualifications and Experience:
- A two (2) year diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution in fire science, public administration, business administration, leadership, or a related discipline. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
- NFPA 1031 Fire Inspection and NFPA 1033 Fire Investigator
- Minimum NFPA 1021 Fire Officer 1 certification
- Emergency Scene Management I & II
- Incident Command System Level 300 (ICS 300)
- Wildfire Mitigation Specialist Designation
- EMA FR Licence or higher
- Must possess and maintain a valid class 5 B.C. Driver’s Licence with Air Brake Endorsement and a safe driving record. Class 3 preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years of directly related experience in fire and emergency services, with a minimum of 3 years’ demonstrated supervisory, leadership and management skills in a paid on-call department.
- Knowledge of the FireSmart Wildfire Mitigation Program and the FireSmart Canada Neighbourhood Recognition Program.
- General knowledge and awareness of emergency management, planning, and building construction principles.
- Demonstrated proficiency with computer applications, including Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook) and experience with fire department systems software such as First Due.
Necessary Special Requirements:
- Employment is contingent upon passing a criminal record check and vulnerable sector check.
- Must meet required physical ability and medical standards.
- Must reside within the District of Peachland.
Skills:
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Extensive knowledge of principles and practices related to modern fire, rescue and emergency medical service delivery and evaluation.
- Be an inclusive, forward-thinking and transparent leader who motivates and engages others while making evidence-based decisions with clarity and diplomacy.
- Ability to write detailed technical reports.
- Ability to effectively deliver educational and outreach materials to a variety of audiences
- Proficient in written communication skills and ability to use information technologies (computers, mobile devices, etc.), including familiarity with presentation development tools, education programs, and social media applications.
Why Join Us? The District of Peachland offers a dynamic and supportive work environment with opportunities for growth and development. As a key member of our Fire Department team, you will play a pivotal role in the District’s Fire Prevention programs and managing long-term risk reduction program and risk-based emergency response.
The salary range for this position is $94,000 - $127,000 per year and includes a comprehensive benefits and pension plan.
How to Apply: Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume and cover letter outlining their qualifications and experience. The closing date for this position is May 22, 2026.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply at:
Human Resources
District of Peachland
5806 Beach Avenue
Peachland, B.C. V0H 1X7
Email: careers@peachland.ca
The District of Peachland thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
