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Fire Chief Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Fire Chief

Lafayette, IN · On-site

$96K/yr

Fire Chief Department: Wea Township Fire Department Location: Tippecanoe County, IN Employment Type: Full Time (Exempt) Estimated Salary: $96,000 / year Benefits: Medical, Dental, and Vision ...

Relocation assistance

Fire Chief

Lafayette, IN · On-site

$96K/yr

Fire Chief Department: Wea Township Fire Department Location: Tippecanoe County, IN Employment Type: Full Time (Exempt) Estimated Salary: $96,000 / year Benefits: Medical, Dental, and Vision ...

Relocation assistance

Fire Chief

Lafayette, IN · On-site

$96K/yr

Fire Chief Department: Wea Township Fire Department Location: Tippecanoe County, IN Employment Type: Full Time (Exempt) Estimated Salary: $96,000 / year Benefits: Medical, Dental, and Vision ...

Appointed by the Fire Chief * Work performed in both office and emergency response environments * Extended hours may be required during emergency activations or planned events * Work may involve ...

Operations Manager

Carmel, IN · On-site

$92K - $110K/yr

Appointed by the Fire Chief * Work performed in both office and emergency response environments * Extended hours may be required during emergency activations or planned events * Work may involve ...

Operations Manager

Carmel, IN · On-site

$92K - $110K/yr

Appointed by the Fire Chief * Work performed in both office and emergency response environments * Extended hours may be required during emergency activations or planned events * Work may involve ...

The Chief Engineer supervises the operation, maintenance, and repair of the overall hotel operation ... This includes refrigeration and air conditioning, the fire alarm system, boilers, primary and ...

The Data Center Chief Engineer (CE) is responsible for ensuring that all electrical, mechanical, and fire/life safety equipment within the data center is operating at peak efficiency. This involves ...

The Data Center Chief Engineer (CE) is responsible for ensuring that all electrical, mechanical, and fire/life safety equipment within the data center is operating at peak efficiency. This involves ...

The Data Center Chief Engineer (CE) is responsible for ensuring that all electrical, mechanical, and fire/life safety equipment within the data center is operating at peak efficiency. This involves ...

Crew Chief

Fort Wayne, IN · On-site

$19.25 - $24.75/hr

We have a sincere drive toward the goal of helping make fire and water damage "Like it never even ... The Restoration Crew Chief assigns, coordinates, controls, and performs work activities on ...

... COO With over 500 locations across North America and Canada, PuroClean is leading the industry in ... fire, mold, biohazard, and other conditions resulting in property damage. We operate with a ...

Ensure full compliance with OSHA, fire and life-safety, ADA, water treatment, and all regulatory ... Previous hotel Chief Engineer, Assistant Chief Engineer, or Engineering Manager experience required ...

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Showing results 1-20

Fire Chief information

See Indiana salary details

$29.5K

$100.5K

$174.1K

How much do fire chief jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for fire chief in Indiana is $100,463.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,200.00 and $118,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a fire chief?

Fire Chiefs are the highest-ranking officers in a fire department, responsible for overseeing all operations and administration. They manage personnel, develop policies, coordinate emergency response, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. Fire Chiefs also work with local government, budget resources, and lead public education efforts on fire prevention. Their leadership is crucial in both daily department management and during major emergency incidents.

What does a fire chief do?

A fire chief is a public service officer who oversees the operation of the fire department. As a fire chief, your responsibilities include responding to calls and working as a firefighter, but you are primarily the administrator for the department. Your duties are to train and assess firefighters, set schedules, monitor budgets, make requests for new equipment and fire engines, and ensure that the department is functioning properly. You will also work with local government officials to assess community needs and ensure they are being met.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a fire chief, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Fire Chief, you need extensive knowledge of fire science, emergency management, and leadership, typically supported by experience as a firefighter and advanced certifications like Fire Officer or Fire Chief credentials. Familiarity with incident command systems, fire reporting software, and emergency communication tools is essential. Outstanding decision-making, communication, and team leadership skills help manage personnel and maintain public trust. These competencies are critical for ensuring effective emergency response, firefighter safety, and overall department performance.

What are the typical challenges a fire chief faces when managing both emergency operations and administrative duties?

Fire Chiefs often juggle the demands of leading emergency response efforts while also overseeing administrative responsibilities like budgeting, personnel management, and policy development. Balancing immediate operational needs—such as coordinating teams during fires or disasters—with long-term planning and resource allocation can be challenging. Effective Fire Chiefs foster strong communication within their teams, delegate tasks appropriately, and remain adaptable to rapidly changing scenarios. This dual focus requires strong leadership, organizational skills, and the ability to make quick, informed decisions under pressure.

What is the difference between Fire Chief vs Fire Captain?

AspectFire ChiefFire Captain
CertificationsFire Officer I & II, Incident Command, EMT/ParamedicFirefighter I & II, EMT/Paramedic, Incident Command
Work EnvironmentAdministrative, strategic planning, overseeing entire departmentOn-scene incident management, supervising firefighters
ResponsibilitiesDepartment leadership, policy development, budget managementLeading firefighting teams during emergencies, training

The Fire Chief is responsible for overall department management and strategic planning, while the Fire Captain focuses on on-the-ground incident command and team supervision. Both roles require similar certifications and work in firefighting environments, but differ in scope and leadership level.

What are the most commonly searched types of Fire Chief jobs in Indiana?

The most popular types of Fire Chief jobs in Indiana are:

What are popular job titles related to Fire Chief jobs in Indiana?

For Fire Chief jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Indiana are hiring for Fire Chief jobs?

Cities in Indiana with the most Fire Chief job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Fire Chief jobs in IN?

For Fire Chief jobs in IN, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Fire Chief job openings in Indiana as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $100,463 per year, or $48.3 per hour.

Fire Chief

Lafayette, IN • On-site

Relocation assistance

$96K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Fire Chief

Department: Wea Township Fire Department

Location: Tippecanoe County, IN

Employment Type: Full Time (Exempt)

Estimated Salary: $96,000 / year

Benefits: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance (Individual & Family coverage available), Department Take-Home Vehicle

About the Role

The Wea Township Fire Department is seeking a dynamic, strong leader to continue driving the positive growth and modernization of our department. Having fully transitioned from a volunteer force to a thriving combination department in January 2025, we are looking for a Fire Chief to direct daily operations, foster department culture, and ensure top-tier service delivery to our community.

Reporting directly to the Wea Township Trustee, the Fire Chief oversees 11 full-time personnel and 18 volunteer firefighters. You will be responsible for operational effectiveness, financial management, long-term strategic planning, and building strong relationships across local and regional public safety networks.

Key Responsibilities

  • Leadership & Personnel Management: Lead, direct, and mentor full-time and volunteer staff; conduct regular performance evaluations and coordinate ongoing department training (including attending monthly volunteer meetings/trainings).
  • Operational Command: Direct emergency responses, serve as Incident Commander for major incidents (structure fires, natural disasters, etc.) during and after normal working hours, and maintain overall disaster management readiness.
  • Administration & Budgeting: Prepare and manage the department’s annual budget, track expenditures, allocate resources, and provide regular operational and financial updates to the Township Trustee.
  • Community & Prevention: Oversee fire prevention, community risk reduction, public safety education, and incident investigation efforts.
  • Compliance & Logistics: Ensure strict compliance with local, state, and federal regulations while overseeing the maintenance and readiness of all equipment, vehicles, and facilities.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Build collaborative relationships with neighboring departments, community stakeholders, and local government bodies.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Fire Science, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
  • Experience: 8 years of fire service experience, including at least 4 years in an administrative/supervisory role within an organized full-time fire department.
  • Certifications:
    • Indiana or IFSAC Firefighter I/II
    • Indiana or IFSAC Haz-Mat Awareness/Operations
    • Indiana or IFSAC Fire Officer III
    • Indiana or IFSAC Fire Instructor II
    • Indiana or National Registry EMT-Basic
  • Skills & Abilities:
    • Proven leadership in emergency management and budget oversight.
    • Advanced training in emergency management concepts.
    • Excellent interpersonal, analytical, and crisis-decision-making skills.
    • Physical capability to perform firefighting and rescue operations as needed.
    • Thorough knowledge of local, state, and federal fire codes and safety laws.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Indiana or IFSAC Fire Officer IV
  • Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE)
  • Executive Fire Officer (EFO) designation from the National Fire Academy (NFA)