The Fire Chief shall divide the regular members of the Department into three platoons and operate the Department on a three platoon basis by keeping one platoon on duty twenty-four consecutive hours, after which the platoon so serving shall be allowed to remain off duty for at least forty-eight consecutive hours, except in cases of emergency.
The requirements of this section shall not apply during the period of any emergency and nothing contained herein shall affect the provisions of any existing ordinance or custom granting vacations, rates of pay or leaves of absence. (Approved by voters 11-8-55.)