Subd. 1. Officers. All firefighters shall be appointed by the Council.
Subd. 2. Qualifications. The firefighters shall be able-bodied and not less than 18 years of age, and meet requirements set by the Department’s rules and regulations.
Subd. 3. Present Member. Persons who are members of the Fire Department at the time of the adoption of this Code shall not be required to serve a probationary period before receiving a firefighter’s rating.
Subd. 4. Compensation. The members and officers of the Fire Department shall receive compensation as established from time to time by the Council by resolution.
Subd. 5. Loss of Membership. To be in and remain in good standing in the Fire Department, each officer, member, or probationary member shall attend at least 50% of the monthly meetings and at least 50% of the monthly drills held in any one year. In addition, no officer, member, or probationary member shall be absent from three consecutive drills or calls, unless the absence is excused by the officer in charge. The failure to so attend shall be deemed sufficient cause for removal of the member from the Fire Department. Firefighters shall continue as members of the Department during periods of good behavior, and may be removed by the Council only for cause after a public hearing; however, the Fire Chief shall have authority to suspend a member pending the public hearing. Unless otherwise required by law, a member shall receive no pay while suspended.