(A) To be promoted within the Department, each member will successfully pass a test on firefighting related skills in the presence of a majority of the officers of the Department. Each member shall be provided a qualifications sheet for the skills and training needed to obtain such rank being tested for.
(B) The current rank structure of the Department shall be cadet, probationary firefighter, and firefighter, ascending in order. This rank excludes the command rank structure in which all officers will hold the rank of firefighter before appointment by the Mayor and City Council.
(C) A cadet shall be in the rank for a period not to exceed two years prior to being considered for promotion to probationary firefighter. If the member does not meet qualifications or standards set forth in this subchapter within the two-year period, the member shall be terminated from the Department. Any member appointed to the rank of cadet who meets or exceeds certain training requirements prior to appointment shall be appointed to the rank of probationary firefighter at the discretion of the Chief.
(D) A probationary firefighter shall not hold such rank longer than two years and less than one before being tested for the rank of firefighter. In the event the member does not pass the test for firefighter, they shall be demoted to the rank of cadet to receive further basic training.
(E) In case of absence or disability of any officer of the Department, all powers, authority, duties and obligations of said officer shall for all purposes and occasions transfer upon the officer next in rank, unless such vacancy shall have been filled by direct appointment by the Chief.
(F) The ranking officer present shall command at a fire, rescue or incident. The officer who arrives first at such scene shall assume command under the Incident Command Structure. Such command shall be maintained until relinquished to a superior officer. (The Incident Command Structure is covered under Section 11 of the Standard Operating Guidelines of the Madison Fire Department, a separate document.)
(G) In the case where an officer of the Department has not yet arrived on scene the senior member on scene shall assume command until an officer arrives. The senior member shall be the ranking member as posted by the seniority list. Seniority shall be by date hired and rank. In the event two members were promoted on the same date, seniority shall be by date of hire.
(H) In the event a member is acting under orders by an officer and a conflicting order is given, the subordinate under the first order shall inform the officer issuing the subsequent order of the prior order issued and then shall proceed to comply with subsequent order unless the order is given by an officer of superior rank.
(Ord. 1700, passed 3-4-2008)