The text
1401. - Organization.#
There shall be a fire department, the head of which shall be the fire chief. The chief shall be appointed by the town council upon the recommendation of the town manager. In addition to the fire chief, there shall be such officers and employees and volunteer personnel as the council shall from time to time determine. They shall hold their respective offices, during good behavior, until vacated by death, resignation, or retirement, or until they shall be removed in accordance with provisions of this Charter, unless in conflict with any collective bargaining agreement. All members of the force, except the fire chief, shall at the time of their permanent appointment have served for a period of not less than one (1) year in a probationary status, during which period they may be removed at any time by the town manager upon recommendation of the fire chief, with or without cause. Editor's note— This section was amended by Question 1 approved at the February 8, 1994, Special Election.
1402. - Fire chief qualifications.#
The fire chief shall be a person who has graduated from a recognized college or university
with a [bachelor's] degree in fire sciences, public administration, and/or business management with no less than three (3) years' experience in a supervisory capacity in a fire department. Editor's note— This section was amended by Question 10 approved at the June 19, 2001, Special Election.
1403. - Powers and duties.#
The fire department shall be responsible for the adequate protection of life and property from fire and other hazards normally within the jurisdiction of a fire department, and for the enforcement of the laws and regulations relating to fire prevention and fire safety. The fire chief and other members of the department shall have all powers and duties as are vested in such fire personnel by the laws of the state and town ordinances. The fire chief shall be in direct command of the fire department and shall, subject to the approval of the town manager, make rules and regulations concerning the operation and management of the fire department and shall be responsible for all town property in the [fire] chief's custody. Editor's note— This section was amended by Question 1 at the February 8, 1994, Special Election.