Fire Chief

Position Overview

Ascend Performance Materials is a global leader in highperformance chemicals fibers and plastics committed to enhancing quality of life through innovation. With fully integrated manufacturing facilities across North America Europe and Asia we develop essential solutions that drive safer vehicles cleaner energy advanced medical devices and durable consumer goods. Guided by a strong focus on safety sustainability and customer success we operate responsibly while delivering value through cuttingedge technologies and industry expertise. Join our team and be part of a collaborative environment where your work drives meaningful global impact

Ascend Performance Materials is a global leader in highperformance chemicals fibers and plastics committed to enhancing quality of life through innovation. With fully integrated manufacturing facilities across North America Europe and Asia we develop essential solutions that drive safer vehicles cleaner energy advanced medical devices and durable consumer goods. Guided by a strong focus on safety sustainability and customer success we operate responsibly while delivering value through cuttingedge technologies and industry expertise.

We are seeking an experienced Fire Chief to join our Environmental Safety Security and Health (ESSH) team at our Pensacola Plant in Cantonment FL. This role is responsible for leading bestinclass emergency services and ensuring optimal preparedness and response for fire medical and hazardous material incidents. The ideal candidate will have strong regulatory knowledge handson experience technical expertise and leadership skills in industrial emergency services.

Targeted Outcomes

• Maintain constant readiness to protect employees facilities the community and the environment.
• Lead train and develop the Emergency Response Team (ERT) ensuring effective recruitment and retention.
• Oversee fire protection systems and emergency equipment ensuring compliance with NFPA corporate and facility standards.
• Improve and manage Emergency Response Plans Hurricane Response Plans and sitewide emergency drills.
• Partner with engineering and operations teams to enhance fire safety strategies and emergency response capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

Emergency Services Leadership

• Manage daily emergency services operations providing leadership to the Senior Safety Technician and volunteer ERT.
• Maintain personal readiness to serve as an active ERT member.
• Lead incident response operations supporting Incident Command and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
• Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Emergency Response Preplans.
• Ensure EOC tools and resources meet operational standards.

Training & Development

• Design and deliver ERT training programs ensuring compliance with regulatory and industry best practices.
• Maintain training records and documentation to track ERT competency development.
• Conduct emergency preparedness drills and provide postdrill evaluations and improvements.

Fire Protection & Equipment Management

• Oversee fire protection system inspections impairments and maintenance for fixed and mobile equipment.
• Coordinate property insurance inspections related to fire protection.
• Ensure all emergency response equipment is maintained tested and fully operational.
• Review facility drawings for fire and life safety compliance and support fire safety modeling.

Budget & Resource Management

• Develop and manage the Emergency Services budget tracking costs for training equipment and maintenance.
• Plan for longterm resource needs ensuring proper ERT staffing and funding allocations.
• Community & Regulatory Engagement
• Serve as the primary contact for local emergency agencies mutual aid organizations and LEPC.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA NFPA and other emergency response regulations.
• Participate in sitewide ESSH initiatives supporting broader safety and emergency preparedness efforts.

Team

• Reports to: Emergency Services Contractor Safety and Security Manager
• Provide leadership to Emergency Responders

Required Experience

• 10 years in industrial emergency response within the chemical oil refining pharmaceutical or construction industries.
• 5 years in a leadership or incident command role.
• Knowledge of OSHA emergency response regulations and industry best practices.
• Valid Florida Class A or B drivers license or ability to obtain one.
• Ability to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC).

Required Skills

• Expertise in Incident Command System (ICS700 ICS100 ICS200 ICS800 ICS300 ICS400.
• Strong leadership team building and emergency response training abilities.
• Proficiency in firefighting HazMat response confined space rescue and medical emergencies.
• Knowledge of NFPA OSHA and emergency response regulations.
• Fire Inspector Certification (willingness to obtain within 2 years).
• Experience with incident investigation methodologies (Cause Mapping 5Whys FMEA).
• Strong problemsolving communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to lead change influence stakeholders and drive improvements.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data analysis tools.
• Capability to wear full emergency response PPE including respiratory protection.
• Willingness to travel occasionally for jobrelated training and conferences.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Bachelors degree in engineering sciences or a related field (preferred).
• NFPA Certifications:
  • NFPA 1001 Firefighter
  • NFPA 1081 Advanced Interior & Exterior Firefighter
  • NFPA 472/1072 Hazardous Materials Technician or equivalent 29CFR1910.120(q)
• Emergency Medical Certifications (ECA EMT Paramedic or Nursing Degree).
• Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt (or willingness to achieve within 12 months).
• Experience in safety system audits and inspections.

• Experience with SAP and OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP).
• Knowledge of Process Safety Management (PSM) elements.
• Understanding of fire protection systems mechanical maintenance and lifecritical permit processes.
• Project management experience in emergency services.

At Ascend Performance Materials we value transparency and fairness in our hiring process. We do not accept unsolicited resumes from thirdparty recruiters search firms or staffing agencies. Any resumes received from such entities will be considered the property of Ascend Performance Materials and we will not be obligated to pay any fees for such submissions. Our Talent Acquisition Team actively engages with preferred recruitment partners who have established agreements with us. We encourage all interested candidates to apply directly through our official channels to be considered for any open positions.

Skills Summary:

About Us:

Ascend Performance Materials is the premium provider of high quality chemicals fibers and plastics. With world scale integrated manufacturing facilities we are able to develop new products from our core technologies and provide flexibility to respond to the expanding needs of customers. Ascend has global sales and distribution facilities across the globe and six manufacturing facilities globally. As a privatelyheld company our people do big things and make big decisions often much earlier in their careers than at larger companies. Ascend Performance Materials offers team members the opportunity to contribute in big meaningful waysall within a stable and growing business.

Why work at Ascend

Our vision is to be the recognized leader in the nylon 66 value chain creating new possibilities with PA66 for everyone everywhere every day. We achieve that through living our Ascend values.

We care. We operate safely with high integrity for our employees our customers and our communities. Our people are our greatest assets and our Total Rewards Program extends beyond traditional benefits to include access to onsite medical clinics at our U.S. facilities a global wellness rewards program and Performance Matters an employeedriven recognition plan. Our Commitment to Zero demonstrates our belief that is it possible to operate with zero personal injuries zero process safety incidents and zero environmental releases. And the Ascend Cares Foundation led by Ascend employees supports Ascend families in times of need provides inspiring opportunities for community engagement and facilitates community leadership.

Customerfocused. We exist for our customers; they drive our actions. Their success is our success. Our plastics and chemicals are building blocks that help make everyday essentials safer and more sustainable and we constantly strive to develop new and innovative products to meet the future needs of our customers. And that customer focus doesnt only apply to the marketplace it also applies to how we treat our colleagues and our fellow community members.

Better every day. We invest in our people and our processes to improve every day. A2E our continuous improvement program guides the way we do business. And this way of problem solving applies not only to our manufacturing practices but also to our commitment to developing our people. Youll see it during your career at Ascend in our leadership development skills training and mentoring programs

Agile. We think broadly and lead proactively in a constantly evolving organization and industry. Agility doesnt mean simply working quickly it means critical thinking creative problem solving and novel approaches to everyday challenges.

One Ascend. All together with a common set of goals and an eye toward the future. We dont accept silos. We look for ways to share across departments sites and geography. This means you wont be boxed into a single role at Ascend you could get the chance to work with teams across the globe to improve the way we serve our people our customers and our communities.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color sex national origin age religion disability sexual orientation gender identity protected veteran status citizenship genetic information or other protected status under federal state or local laws.