There shall be and is hereby established a Fire Department in the City of Mt. Vernon which shall consists of one Chief of the Fire Department , one Assistant Chief, one Lieutenant or Captain Inspector - Training Officer - Lead Paramedic, one Lieutenant or Captain Inspector - Training Officer, three Captains and nine Lieutenants and/or Lieutenants - Training Officers - Hazardous Materials Officers; the Department shall also include Fire Fighter - Paramedics not to exceed fifteen in number as determined by the City Manager. The Department may also include twenty-eight Auxiliary Firefighters. In addition, in order to prevent a stoppage of public business, to meet extraordinary exigencies or to prevent material impairment of the Fire Department, the City Manager may authorize and request the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners to make temporary appointments not to exceed six months in length. The Department shall also have one civilian secretary and one special skilled equipment mechanic who shall not be members of the Fire Department; said secretary and mechanic shall be appointed by the City Manager and shall be members of the City’s classified service.
(A) (1) The Chief of the Fire Department shall be the highest in rank of the Fire Department and shall direct the operation of same. He shall have custody of all equipment, apparatus, and property belonging to the Department, and shall cause same to be kept in good repair. He shall attend all major fires occurring within the City, have command of the Department at all times, and see that the members of the Department faithfully perform their respective duties. He shall maintain a record of all fires occurring within the City, the date and location of each, the owner of the property destroyed by the fire, the cause of the fire, the loss incurred thereby, whether same was insured or not, and such other information as shall be pertinent. He shall examine all buildings and structures for fire hazards or combustible materials. The Chief of the Fire Department is hereby authorized to enter any building or structure at any reasonable time for the purpose of examining such structures or premises or any part thereof, which may appear to constitute a fire hazard or to be in violation of any ordinance of the City relating to fires or fire prevention.
(2) The Fire Chief shall also be charged with the investigation, inspection, and enforcement of ordinances and regulations of the City relating to fire control, fire prevention, and fire hazards.
(B) The Assistant Fire Chief shall perform the duties of the Chief in the absence of the Chief and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Fire Chief.
(C) Captains of the Fire Department shall perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the Fire Chief.
(D) Lieutenants of the Fire Department shall perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the Fire Chief or their superior officers, and shall be subordinate to the officers above named.
(E) Firemen shall perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the Fire Chief or their superior officers, and shall be subordinate to the officers above named.
(F) The Inspector - Training Officer - Lead Paramedic shall perform such duties as are provided and required by the provisions of Chapter 91 of the Revised Code of Ordinances of the City of Mt. Vernon, including the duties of Fire Prevention Inspector and shall perform such duties as are assigned to him by the Chief of the Fire Department.
(G) The Inspector - Training Officer shall perform such duties as may be assigned to him by the Chief of the Fire Department.
(H) The Maintenance Supervisor shall perform such duties as may be assigned to that officer by the Chief of the Fire Department.
(I) All members of the Department shall be paid such salary and uniform allowances as may be provided by Ordinance and shall provide therefrom their uniforms and other necessary clothing. They shall serve such hours or shifts as may be provided by the Chief of the Fire Department.
(K) Auxiliary firemen shall not be members of the regular Fire Department of the City but shall be subject to the direction and control of the Chief of the Fire Department of the City. Auxiliary firemen shall be a voluntary service organization, and auxiliary firemen shall receive no wages for services performed; however, an auxiliary fireman may receive remuneration from third persons receiving direct benefits from the service of the auxiliary fireman, provided the written approval and authorization of the Chief of the Fire Department is obtained prior to the performance by an auxiliary fireman of the assigned duty. Despite any payments from third parties to auxiliary firemen paid through the City, auxiliary firemen are not salaried employees of the City and shall not be entitled to any fringe or other employee benefit unless required by law; separate accounting and records shall be maintained as to all payments received from third parties, and all payments paid through the City shall be paid by the City to the auxiliary firemen by separate check clearly designating the source of the payments.
(L) Any officer or member of the Department may be removed from his position by order of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners for cause upon written charges and after an opportunity to be heard in his own defense. Cause for removal or discharge are as follows:
(1) Disobedience of the orders of superiors.
(2) Intoxication.
(3) Violent, insolent, or abusive language to any superior or member of the public.
(4) Drinking intoxicating liquors while on duty or reporting for duty under the influence of intoxicating liquors.
(5) Conduct on or off duty unbecoming a member of the Department or detrimental to the best interests of the city.
(6) Absence without leave.
(7) Refusal to pay debts.
(8) Inefficiency.
(9) Lack of good physical or mental condition or inability to perform his tasks.
(10) Failure to obtain and maintain continuously State of Illinois Fire Fighters II Certification or other fire training or certification required by the City.
(11) If appointed after January l, 1989, failure to obtain and maintain continuously Emergency Medical Technician/Ambulance (EMT-A) Certification, Emergency Medical Technician/Intermediate (EMT-I) Certification, Emergency Medical Paramedic (EMT-P) Certification, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Instructor Certification, Emergency Rescue Technician (ERT) Certification, or other training or certification required by the City, unless excused in writing by the Chief for good cause.
(12) If appointed after January 1, 1989, failure to participate in the physical fitness training program established by the Department or failure to meet and maintain such physical fitness, agility, and ability as required and determined by the Department.
(Prior Code, Art. 8, § 8.3)