[Added 10-21-2024 by Ord. No. O2024-10-01[1]]
A. 
Appointment and term of office.
(1) 
The Board of Fire Commissioners shall consist of five Commissioners and two Alternates, all of whom shall be citizens of the Village. The members shall be appointed by the Village President subject to the approval of the Village Board. No member of the Board of Fire Commissioners shall be an active member of the Fire Department.
(2) 
The term of office of the members of such Board of Fire Commissioners shall be five years, except the terms of the Commissioners first elected shall expire successively one year on each succeeding May 1. The term of the designated Alternates to the Board of Fire Commissioners shall be one year.
B. 
Duties and responsibilities.
(1) 
The Board of Fire Commissioners shall have the following duties and responsibilities.
(a) 
To elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson.
(b) 
To appoint a secretary of the Board of Fire Commissioners.
(c) 
To establish rules for the functioning of the Board of Fire Commissioners.
(d) 
To appoint the chief of the Fire Department who shall hold his/her office during good behavior, subject to suspension or removal by the board for cause.
(e) 
The Fire Chief shall appoint subordinates subject to the approval of the Board of Fire Commissioners.
(f) 
To hear appeals on disciplinary actions taken by the Fire Chief against subordinates with the authority to uphold, modify or overturn the action of the Fire Chief, pursuant to § 62.13(5), Wis. Stats., and as set in the rules for the functioning of the Board of Fire Commissioners.
(g) 
Approve each list of individuals determined to meet eligibility criteria to be eligible for appointment of vacant positions.
(h) 
Suspend the chief of a department or subordinates pending the filing and hearing of charges against them.
(i) 
Initiate charges against the chief of a department or any subordinate. Since the Board of Fire Commissioners hears and decides any charges, this should be avoided if possible. If it is necessary, the Board of Fire Commissioners should seek legal advice to ensure property mechanisms are put in place to ensure the person charged receives due process.
(j) 
Hear charges filed against the chief of a department or a subordinate, makes findings and determinations, and impose penalties.
(k) 
To adopt rules which provide for examination of physical and educational qualification and experience for all candidates for the Department.
(2) 
The Board of Fire Commissioners shall have no management or operational responsibilities other than those outlined above and do not have the optional powers outlined in § 62.13(6), Wis. Stats.
C. 
Appeal. Appeal from a decision of the Board of Fire Commissioners shall be to Circuit Court.
[1]
Editor’s Note: This ordinance also renumbered former § 7-21 as § 7-22.
The wording of this chapter has been chosen because of brevity and to promote clarity. As to all references in this chapter, and as may be applicable:
A. 
The singular shall be deemed to include the plural, and vice versa;
B. 
The term "Village," used either as a noun or as an adjective, means the Village of Richfield;
C. 
Designation by title of any elected or appointed official, or employee, means such official or employee of the Village of Richfield;
D. 
The terms "State" and "Wisconsin" mean the State of Wisconsin; and
E. 
The term "County" means Washington County, Wisconsin.