Gitanmaax Band Seeking Fire Chief / Emergency Services Coordinator

Gitanmaax Communications
18 hours ago
2 min read

Application Deadline: February 15, 2026

The Gitanmaax Band is pleased to announce an opportunity to join our community as Fire Chief / Emergency Services Coordinator, a leadership role serving both the Gitanmaax Band and the Village of Hazelton through a joint fire service partnership.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Fire Chief will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for fire suppression, emergency response, fire prevention, and emergency preparedness services. This position plays a vital role in protecting the safety, health, and resilience of our communities.

About the Role

The Fire Chief / Emergency Services Coordinator is responsible for the overall management and direction of the joint fire service, including:

Leadership, mentoring, and supervision of all volunteer firefighters and officers
Operational readiness for fire suppression, rescue, hazardous materials, and emergency medical response
Fire prevention, inspections, investigations, and public education programs
Emergency management planning, coordination, and Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) readiness
Oversight of budgets, policies, training programs, equipment, and long‑term planning

The Fire Chief also serves as Local Assistant to the BC Fire Commissioner and works closely with provincial emergency management agencies, neighbouring First Nations, and municipal partners.

FireSmart & Wildfire Risk Reduction

A key component of this role is leading the Gitanmaax Band’s FireSmart Program. The successful candidate will:

Oversee FireSmart grant implementation in compliance with provincial funding requirements
Recruit and supervise a FireSmart Coordinator
Support community engagement, education, and wildfire‑risk reduction initiatives
Ensure accurate reporting, documentation, and budget tracking

This work supports on‑reserve residents in building resilience to wildfire risks while strengthening community safety.

Community & Intergovernmental Engagement

The Fire Chief will maintain strong, respectful working relationships with:

Gitanmaax Band Council and Administration
Village of Hazelton Council and Administration
Joint Fire Services Oversight Committee
Community members and partner agencies

Culturally respectful engagement and collaboration across jurisdictions are central to this role.

Qualifications

The position requires extensive fire service experience, including senior officer leadership, NFPA certifications, emergency management training, and strong administrative skills. Experience working with Indigenous governments, managing FireSmart or grant‑funded programs, and coordinating emergency management activities is highly valued.

Preference will be given to First Nations applicants.

Employment Details