The paid Fire Department as heretofore established is hereby continued.
The Department shall be composed of one Chief and such administrative officers,
Deputy Chiefs, Captains, Lieutenants, fire fighters, probationary fire fighters
and other personnel as the Township Manager may determine from time to time
are essential to be appointed under this chapter in order to meet the Fire
Department needs of the township.
The Township Manager shall have full administrative control of the Fire
Department and of its members. He or she is directed and authorized:
A. To promulgate from time to time, as provided in Article
I of this chapter, such administrative rules and regulations as may be necessary for the efficient management and operation of the Department.
B. To enforce the provisions of this chapter and of the
rules and regulations governing the Department.
C. To authorize the examination of applicants for positions
in the Department in accordance with this chapter and the rules and regulations.
D. To appoint such persons as are best qualified for the
positions to be filled.
E. To receive charges preferred against any member of the
Department.
F. To conduct hearings for members against whom charges
have been preferred and to impose such punishment as may be commensurate with
the offense charged and proved.
G. To make promotions in accordance with this chapter and
the rules and regulations.
H. To receive from the Chief an annual report and recommendations
and to submit the same to the Township Council with recommendations.
The Chief shall be the executive officer of the Department. Subject
to the control of the Township Manager and in accordance with this chapter
and the rules and regulations, the Chief shall have charge of the Department,
its members, employees and property. The Chief shall be directly responsible
to the Township Manager for the conduct, efficiency and management of the
Department. The Chief shall be charged with the protection of life and property
against loss by fire and with the prevention and suppression of fire within
the township. He or she shall see that all fire laws are strictly and impartially
enforced.
In the absence of the Chief from duty, the Township Manager may designate
a qualified member of the Department as Acting Chief to act in the place of
the Chief during his or her absence.
Upon authorization by the Township Manager, the Chief may create and
institute such divisions, sections, bureaus or schools as may be deemed necessary
or advisable to promote the efficiency of the Department.