(A) The officers will meet on the Wednesday before the regular meeting or at other times as designated. The officers will develop and recommend amendments to the administrative policies/bylaws and standard operating guidelines of the Cottonwood Fire Department, as appropriate. The officers will advise the City Administrator/City Council on the selection and hiring of firefighters and the assignment of special designations (e.g., Training Officer and Safety Officer). The officers review and recommendations of the annual budget and capital expense items, and may study policy issues for recommendations as requested by the City Council and the City Administrator. The officers will examine annually the reports of the Secretary.
(B) The officers will assist all members in maintaining their conformity to the city personnel and administrative policies/bylaws. The officers will monitor members' delinquency in attendance, training or other activity.
(C) Matters involving disciplinary action and/or review and resolution of complaints will be brought to all officers for attention.
(D) The officer positions shall consist of:
(1) One Chief;
(2) Three Assistant Chiefs;
(3) Two Captains; and
(4) One Secretary.
(E) The Cottonwood Fire Department will follow the policy of the City of Cottonwood to provide equal opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender and sexual orientation, and marital status, status with regard to public assistance, age or disability. No person shall be discriminated against with regard to the selection of officer positions. It is the responsibility of all city officials and Fire Department supervisors/officers to insure the implementation of this policy.
(F) Subject to the discretion of the City Council or its designee, all appointments to officer positions are to be approved by the Fire Chief, subject to ratification by the Fire Department membership and the Cottonwood City Council. In the case of the Fire Chief position, the appointment is made by the City Council or its designee, subject to ratification by the Fire Department membership and the Cottonwood City Council.
(G) Current officer positions are set to expire as follows and will expire every three years thereafter:
(1) Chief: January 15, 2015;
(2) Assistant Chief: January 15, 2015;
(3) Secretary: January 15, 2015;
(4) Assistant Chief: January 15, 2016;
(5) Captain: January 15, 2016;
(6) Assistant Chief: January 15, 2017;
(7) Captain: January 15, 2017.
(H) Filing for officer positions shall commence October 15 and conclude November 15 prior to the end of each term. Each Fire Department member shall be notified of the position filings by announcement at the October fire meeting, posting at the Fire Hall and via e-mail. To file for an officer position, an applicant must meet the minimum requirements for the years of service and education/ experience as outlined in the position descriptions. The Fire Chief or his or her designee will verify each applicant's qualifications.
(I) In the case of the Fire Chief position, the City Council or its designee will verify each applicant's qualifications.
(J) Each filing member for office shall submit an application and/or resume outlining activities or functions the applicant has or is participating in, including: education, call response, meeting attendance and the like.
(K) A panel of no less than three officers/individuals shall conduct oral interviews for the selection of officers. The interview panel may consist of the Fire Chief, Assistant Chief, Fire Department members, the City Clerk-Administrator and/or City Council members. In the case of the Fire Chief position, the interview will be conducted by the City Council or its designee.
(L) Interviews will be offered to all applicants meeting the minimum requirements for the position. The interview panel will be provided a list of pre-determined interview questions to be asked of all applicants. The questions will include questions and/or situations that pertain to leadership, teamwork, communications and management-style qualities desired for the level of management required for the position.
(M) The interview panel will make their selection from the top candidates and forward their selections to the Fire Department membership and City Council for ratification. In the case of the Fire Chief, the interview panel will forward their top candidate to the Fire Department membership and City Council for ratification.
(N) Officer positions vacated due to resignation, demotion, promotion or discharge. A vacated position shall be posted and a 30-day period shall be established for filing, using the same application, interview and selection process outlined in the above procedures. If several positions are open, the higher ranking positions will be filled first. The positions shall be filled as soon as practical.
(O) (1) Officer selection schedule.
(a) Applications accepted until November 15 annually;
(b) Applications reviewed and interviews conducted throughout December;
(c) Department members to have approved potential candidates for office prior to December 31 annually;
(d) City Council considers approval of officers during first regular meeting in January.
(2) In the meantime, current Fire Department officers continue serving their positions until the selection process has been completed.
(Ord. 2014-1, passed 7-1-2014)