The Mayor shall appoint a Chief Engineer of the Fire Department subject to the approval of the Board of Aldermen, who shall hold that position for a term not to exceed five years, and so long as the Chief shall render efficient service to the City, unless sooner removed as herein provided. Retirement of the Chief Engineer appointed under this section shall be mandatory upon reaching the age of 65. The Chief Engineer shall appoint subordinate officers as he or she deems necessary for the safe and efficient operation of the Department. Members considered for appointment as an officer shall meet minimum standards for the rank as established by the Chief Engineer and shall be tested in accordance with guidelines established by the Chief Engineer. These officers shall hold office so long as in the opinion of the Chief Engineer each is capable of performing his or her duties and is conscientious and efficient in the discharge of the same. Such officers may be removed by the Chief Engineer for any incapacity or misconduct. The officer shall have a right to appeal to the Board of Civil Authority within 10 days of the removal unless the time period is extended by the parties in writing.
(Amended 1997, No. M-17 (Adj. Sess.), § 9.)
The Chief Engineer shall have jurisdiction and control of the administration, disposition, and discipline of the Fire Department and of the firemen within the Department. He or she shall have the power to make such rules and regulations as are necessary, in his or her opinion, to exercise the jurisdiction and control of the Department. He or she shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Fire Department. He or she shall be responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of all fire vehicles and fire equipment. He or she shall have sole and exclusive power and authority to extinguish fires at any place within the jurisdiction of the City. He or she shall be the Fire Marshal of the City, and as such it shall be his or her duty and he or she is hereby empowered to enforce all State and local laws relating to the prevention, detection, and extinguishment of fires from any causes whatsoever. He or she shall install or cause to be installed alarm, telegraph, telephone, and radio equipment that is used in the operation of the Fire Department, which is owned or under the exclusive control of the Fire Department. He or she shall be responsible for the prevention of fires and danger to life or property therefrom. He or she is empowered to cause any building, structure, or place or premises to be inspected for fire hazards and may cause the inspection and testing of any fire alarm system of fire extinguishment. He or she may also cause the inspection and testing of any fire exits and may inspect the proper designation and marking thereof.
In the event of temporary (24 hours or less) absence of the Chief of the Fire Department, the duties of the Chief shall fall upon the subordinate officers, according to their rank, as established by the rules and regulations of the Fire Department. In the event the absence will be for a period of greater than 24 hours, the Chief Engineer shall designate a subordinate officer as the acting Chief Engineer, who shall assume the duties of the Chief Engineer.
(Amended 1997, No. M-17 (Adj. Sess.), § 10.)
(a) 
All applicants for position with the Fire Department, except for the position of Chief Engineer, shall file with the Chief Engineer an application in writing on forms approved by the Chief Engineer, and shall be examined in such manner as he or she may prescribe, with the approval of the Mayor. A public record of all applicants for positions on the Fire Department shall be maintained in the City Clerk's office.
(b) 
The Chief Engineer shall, as the needs of the City may require, appoint from said applicants sufficient number of firemen to ensure the public safety and protection. The number of regular firemen appointed shall not exceed the maximum number set forth in the City ordinance, except by specific approval by the Board of Aldermen. Within one year of the date of permanent appointment, each regular fireman must reside within a five mile radius of the station house to which he or she is assigned.
(c) 
All members of the regular Fire Department now serving or who shall hereafter be appointed, other than the Chief, shall be retained as such, unless discharged in accordance with other provisions of this charter. All members of the regular Fire Department shall retire not later than at the age of 65.
The Chief Engineer shall have sole power to appoint such number of call firemen as he or she may consider necessary for the proper protection of the City. Call firemen shall be subject to the call of the Chief Engineer of such Department when in his or her opinion the use of such call is necessary.
The compensation of all members of the Fire Department, including the Chief Engineer, shall be fixed by the Board of Aldermen. The Board shall further fix the compensation for a call fireman, after the recommendation of the Chief Engineer.
The Chief Engineer shall have the power, for disciplinary purposes, to suspend any member of the Department without pay for a period not to exceed four weeks.
(Amended 2011, No. M-5, eff. May 6, 2011.)
Whenever any building in the City shall be on fire, it shall be lawful for the Chief Engineer of the Fire Department or any officer in charge of said Department, in their discretion, to order any building or part thereof not on fire but that they may deem hazardous and likely to communicate fire to other buildings to be pulled down or destroyed.
No member of the Fire Department of the City of Rutland shall act as an executive committeeman, attend any political convention as a delegate, participate in any manner whatever in any canvass in behalf of or against any candidate for any City, county, State, or national office, hold tickets or canvass votes at any election, or take any part whatever in political matters other than to vote, nor be a candidate for any public office.