A. Fire Chief: There is created the office of chief of the fire department of the city of Alton. The fire chief shall be appointed by the mayor, by and with the advice and consent of the city council, at the first regular meeting of the new city council of each year or upon a vacancy. The fire chief shall continue to serve until removed by order of the mayor or until his successor shall be appointed and qualified, whichever event shall first occur. The fire chief shall be the chief officer of the fire department and shall have full command and control over said department and all members thereof, with full power and authority over its organization, government and discipline and to that end, the fire chief may prescribe and establish, from time to time, such rules and regulations as the fire chief may deem advisable for administration of the fire department.
B. Deputy Fire Chiefs: There is hereby created the position of deputy fire chief, who shall be appointed by the mayor, by and with the advice and consent of the city council, at the first regular meeting of the new city council of each year or upon a vacancy. A deputy fire chief shall continue to serve until removed by order of the mayor or until a successor shall be appointed and qualified, whichever event shall first occur. A new deputy fire chief shall perform such administrative functions as may be assigned by the fire chief from time to time. There shall not be employed by the fire department more than two (2) deputy fire chiefs at any one time. (Ord. 6748, 7-23-2003)
C. Battalion Chiefs: Battalion chiefs, under the general supervision of the fire chief and the deputy fire chiefs, shall serve as heads of shifts, direct the activities of the captains, engineers, and firefighters on their respective shift and shall perform such administrative functions as may be assigned by the fire chief or deputy fire chiefs.
D. Captains: Captains, under the general supervision of the fire chief, deputy fire chiefs, and battalion chiefs, shall serve as supervisors of a fire company. A captain shall command a fire company in the fire station house and at the scene of a fire or incident outside the fire station house until the arrival and presence of a superior officer. The captain shall perform such administrative functions as may be assigned by the fire chief, deputy fire chief, or battalion chief from time to time.
E. Engineers: Engineers, under the general supervision of the fire chief, deputy fire chiefs, battalion chiefs, and captains, shall perform such firefighter duties as may be assigned by superior officers from time to time. The engineers' duties shall include, but not be limited to, driving and operating any and all firefighting or rescue apparatus.
F. Firefighters: Firefighters, under the general supervision of the fire chief, deputy fire chiefs, battalion chiefs, captains, and engineers, shall perform such firefighter duties as may be assigned by superior officers from time to time. Firefighters shall perform such duties as shall be necessary to extinguish fires, including the handling of hoses, axes, pipes, fire extinguishers, and other equipment, and they shall drive, operate and maintain fire vehicles, pumps and rescue equipment, and shall otherwise assist in general rescue work; also they shall conduct inspections of properties and otherwise implement the purposes of the fire prevention code. They shall be governed in their activities by the regulations and directions of their superior officers. (Ord. 6748, 7-23-2003; amd. Ord. 7251, 5-11-2011)
G. Personnel: The position of firefighter of the city of Alton is hereby created. In addition to the fire chief, through March 31, 2004, there shall be not to exceed sixty (60) persons required to be appointed to the position of firefighter with various ranks as follows:
1. Fire chief. (Ord. 6748, 7-23-2003)
2. Deputy fire chiefs and battalion chiefs, not to exceed six (6) in total. (Ord. 6859, 12-15-2004; amd. Ord. 7251, 5-11-2011)
3. Captains, not to exceed twenty (20) in total.
4. Engineers, not to exceed sixteen (16) in total. (Ord. 6876, 4-27-2005)
5. All others with rank of firefighter. (Ord. 6748, 7-23-2003)
H. Appointment And Promotion: Battalion chiefs, captains, engineers and firefighters shall be appointed and promoted by merit in accordance with the statutes, rules and procedures relating to the function of the civil service commission of the city of Alton, Illinois. (Ord. 6748, 7-23-2003; amd. Ord. 7251, 5-11-2011)
I. Function And Purpose: The fire department shall have primary responsibility for fighting fires, executing a fire prevention program, and providing general rescue and assistance services.
J. Existing Contract: The adoption and approval of this section is not intended to negate or nullify any of the respective rights or obligations of the parties with regard to the existing memorandum of understanding between the city of Alton and Local Union 1255 of the International Association Of Firefighters, covering the period April 1, 1999, to March 31, 2004. (Ord. 6748, 7-23-2003)