The mayor may suspend the chief and assistant or any fireman of the fire department for neglect of duty or a violation of any of the rules and regulations of the fire department; and the chief of the fire department shall have the authority to suspend the assistant chief of the fire department or any fireman; and the assistant chief of the fire department shall have authority to suspend any fireman for a like cause.
In all cases of suspension the person suspended must be furnished with a copy of the charge against him in writing, setting forth reasons for the suspension and such charges must be presented at the next meeting of the council and a hearing had thereon shall be held when the suspended member of the fire department may appear in person or by counsel and make his defense to said charges. If such charges are found proven by the council, the council, by a vote of a majority of the whole council, may impose such penalty as it shall determine the offense warrants, either in the continuation of the suspension for a time limited, or in the removal of the suspended person from the fire department. Should the charges be not presented at the next meeting of the council after the suspension, or should the charges be found not proven by the council, the suspended person shall be reinstated and be entitled to his usual compensation for the time so suspended. (Ord. 63, 12-3-1945)