The chief shall be elected to office biennially, according to rules and bylaws of the members of the department. All officers shall be elected from their own number under the direction of the chief, and they shall adopt such rules and regulations as may be deemed necessary. All vacancies that may occur from death, resignation, removal or otherwise, in said department, shall be filled by a majority vote of officers and members present at any regular meeting of said fire department. The election of officers and members of the fire department shall be ratified by the mayor and city council. (1949 Code § 11-0-3; amd. 2006 Code)