Teton commissioners to reclass Fire Marshal as deputy chief role April 7

Teton County commissioners on April 7 will consider reclassifying Jackson Hole Fire/EMS’ Battalion Chief–Fire Marshal (Grade 9) to a Deputy Fire Chief of Prevention & Support Services (Grade 10), a change staff says would restore a two–deputy chief structure and clarify executive accountability for non-operational work that has grown more complex.

In a staff report, Human Resources and Fire/EMS say responsibilities such as facilities management for nine department sites, IT systems oversight, capital planning/construction, vendor coordination, prevention programs and wildfire-mitigation code enforcement are currently split among multiple leaders, creating “unclear ownership” and inconsistent approvals. The proposed deputy-chief role would consolidate those functions under one executive authority while retaining regulatory duties as fire code official and fire marshal. (Fire Department Reclassification Agenda Packet)

Staff estimates the change would add about $2,073 in wages and benefits for the remainder of FY2026 (to be covered by salary savings, with no budget amendment) and about $11,272 per year ongoing beginning in FY2027. The commission is scheduled to vote on the reclassification as part of its April 7 meeting agenda. (Fire Department Reclassification Agenda Packet)