There shall be a fire department, the head of which shall be the fire chief, who shall be a firefighter with at least ten years experience in the fields of fire fighting and fire prevention. The fire chief shall be appointed by the town administrator. In addition to the fire chief, there may be a deputy chief and such other subordinate officers and firefighters, all of the aforesaid serving full time, as shall from time to time be determined by the town council. In addition to the members of the permanent fire department, the fire chief may from time to time appoint additional special firefighters for occasional services and for limited terms who shall serve at the pleasure of the fire chief. The further organization of the department into divisions or offices or grades shall be made by the town council on recommendation of the town administrator after conferring with the fire chief. The fire department shall have all the powers and duties as are now and hereafter vested in it by the laws of the State of Rhode Island and town ordinances. The fire department shall, subject to the approval of the town administrator and town council, make rules and regulations concerning the conduct of all subordinates.
(Amended, November 5, 2002; Amended, November 4, 2008; Amended, November 6, 2018.)