Which is the next level up from lieutenant in the fire service?

In the fire service, the rank of Captain is typically the next level up from Lieutenant. A Captain usually has increased responsibilities, including managing a unit or a shift, overseeing personnel, and ensuring the operational readiness of fire apparatus and equipment. This role often involves more administrative duties, tactical decision-making at the incident scene, and acting as a liaison between firefighters and higher-ranking officers.

The ranks of Corporal and Sergeant generally fall below that of Lieutenant, focusing on supervising firefighters and carrying out directives from higher officers rather than holding command roles that involve extensive administrative responsibilities. A Battalion Chief, while a higher rank than Captain, is not the immediate next step and usually manages multiple units or shifts within a district or battalion, indicating a larger scope of command and responsibility. Thus, Captain is recognized as the proper advancement from Lieutenant in the hierarchy of fire service ranks.