(A) There is hereby created the rank of Deputy Chief within the Galesburg Fire Department.
(B) This appointment shall not be subject to the provisions of ILCS Ch. 65, Act 5, §§ 10-2.1-1 et seq. as amended from time to time, but shall be subject to the following provisions:
(1) Applications from within the Department for the rank of Deputy Chief shall only be taken from those persons within the Department who have attained the rank of Captain or Battalion Chief.
(2) At least 14 days prior to the last date for acceptance of applications from individuals within the Department entitled to apply for the position of Deputy Chief, the Chief shall direct written notice to those individuals, advising them of dates applications are due and the elements of the selection process to be used.
(3) The application process shall, at a minimum, include separate interviews with the Galesburg Board of Fire and Police Commissioners and the Fire Chief.
(4) If the Chief determines, after completion of his or her evaluation of applicants from the ranks of Captain or Battalion Chief within the Department, that it would be in the best interests of the city to seek additional applications from persons not currently holding the ranks of Captain or Battalion Chief within the Department, the Chief may, upon approval of the City Manager, seek additional applications from outside the Department who, in the judgement of the Chief, have attained a previous rank of position comparable in supervisory experience to the rank of Captain or Battalion Chief within the Department.
(5) Appointment to the Deputy Chief position shall be made by the Fire Chief, subject to the advice and consent of the City Manager.
(6) A person appointed to the rank of Deputy Chief from a lower rank within the Department shall be considered to be on leave from the lower rank. Such appointment shall create a vacancy at that lower rank. If such a person is dismissed or discharged by the Chief from the rank of Deputy Chief prior to retirement, he or she shall revert to the rank, if any, held immediately prior to promotion to the rank of Deputy Chief and be subject to the requirements of, and entitled to the benefits of, that rank.
(C) Upon adoption of this section, the Battalion Chief with the most seniority at the Department shall immediately be appointed to the position of Deputy Chief. After this appointment, all appointments shall follow the process outlined in division (B) of this section.
(Ord. 20-3603, passed 1-6-2020)