Deputy Fire Chief, ARFF, Aviation Department, JFK Airport

About the Role

The Deputy Fire Chief, Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF), serves as a senior fire service officer responsible for the command and control of emergency operations and the maintenance of continuous operational readiness within a 24/7 aviation environment.

This position is a dual-function fire service role, combining primary operational emergency command responsibilities with administrative oversight necessary to sustain firefighting readiness, regulatory compliance, and life safety operations.

The Deputy Fire Chief is operationally integrated into front-line ARFF response and is required to respond to and command emergency incidents involving aircraft emergencies, structural fires, hazardous materials, and other high-risk events.

Administrative functions performed within this role are executed in direct support of operational effectiveness, emergency preparedness, and regulatory compliance, and are subordinate to the primary mission of emergency response.

The Deputy Chief reports directly to the ARFF Chief of Department within the Department of Aviation. The ARFF Deputy Chief provides direct supervision and leadership to the local ARFF Battalion Chief, ARFF Police Sergeants, ARFF Police Officer, and administrative personnel. This role ensures operational coordination across fire, police, and administrative functions, maintains regulatory compliance, and supports the ARFF Chief in strategic and day to day management of the division.

Responsibilities

1. Operational Command and Emergency Response (Primary Function)

•Serves as the Commanding Officer of an assigned ARFF Command, exercising full-scope operational authority over personnel, apparatus, and emergency response activities

•Required to respond to emergency incidents and assume Incident Command or Unified Command leadership in a DUTY capacity

•Directs real-time operations involving: Aircraft rescue and firefighting, Structural firefighting, Hazardous materials mitigation, Mass-casualty incidents, Airfield and aviation-related emergencies

•Exercises independent command judgment and decision-making under high-risk conditions impacting: Life safety, Responder safety, Airport operational continuity, Regulatory compliance

•Commands, coordinates, and integrates response operations with:

•Port Authority Police, Airport Operations, Office of Emergency Management, Mutual aid partners, Local, state, and federal agencies

2. Continuous Operational Readiness (24/7/365 Obligation)

•Maintains continuous operational readiness of ARFF personnel, equipment, and apparatus to meet FAA Part 139 performance requirements

•Operates within a 24/7/365 emergency response framework, requiring availability for:

•Nights, weekends, and holidays, Off-hour emergency activations, Severe weather operations, High-profile and security-sensitive events

•Oversees: Staffing readiness, Equipment readiness, Deployment posture

3. Personnel Command and Operational Supervision

•Supervises and directs ARFF personnel, including Fire Officers, Crew Chiefs (Sergeants), ARFF Police Officers, Support staff

•Maintains discipline, accountability, and operational effectiveness necessary for emergency response

•Manages personnel matters as they directly relate to operational readiness and performance, including Staffing, Training compliance, Fitness for duty, Response capability