147.05 ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF.
(a) The Assistant Fire Chief shall assist the Fire Chief in carrying out those functions set forth in Section 147.04. The Assistant Chief shall perform administrative and managerial duties over the Fire Department as assigned by the Fire Chief. In absence of the Fire Chief the Assistant Chief shall exercise the authority and duties of the Fire Chief and shall serve as Acting Chief.
(b) The selection of the Assistant Chief shall be by competitive examination as set forth herein.
(c) The eligibility criteria for considerations as a candidate for the position of Assistant Fire Chief shall be the following:
(1) The applicant shall have at least twenty-four (24) months of service beyond the probationary period as a Norwalk Fire Department Captain or Norwalk Fire Department Lieutenant, or combination of service in both ranks totaling at least twenty-four (24) months of service beyond the probationary service in either rank.
(2) Applications for the position of Assistant Fire Chief shall first be accepted only from among those Captains in the Norwalk Fire Department who meet the eligibility criteria set forth in subsection (c)(1) above. In the event no Captain in the Norwalk Fire Department shall apply for the position of Assistant Fire Chief or pass the examination therefor, applications shall be accepted from among those Lieutenants in the Norwalk Fire Department who meet the eligibility criteria set forth in subsection (c)(1) above.
(3) In the event that no Captain or Lieutenant in the Norwalk Fire Department possessing the above qualifications shall apply for the position of Assistant Fire Chief or pass the examination therefor, the City may accept applicants from outside the Norwalk Fire Department provided such applicants have the required number of years of service set forth in subsection (c)(1) in a full-time fire department.
(Ord. 2019-031. Passed 9-24-19.)
(d) The Assistant Chief shall be selected from among the eligible candidates as determined in subsection (c) hereof based upon the following:
(1) The results of an evaluation or evaluations, performed by qualified examiners. The evaluation shall include an evaluation of the candidate’s fitness and suitability to command and to assume and perform the duties of the position of Assistant Chief and may include such other psychological, emotional, personality and mental health evaluations or assessments as deemed appropriate by the Fire Chief and the Mayor. As a condition of consideration for the position of Assistant Chief, all candidates shall execute any and all authorizations necessary to cause full and complete written results of the evaluations to be released to and utilized by the City.
(2) Passage of a written examination administered by the Civil Service Commission testing the candidates’ knowledge of Norwalk Fire Department policies and procedures and such portions of the Norwalk Codified Ordinances and Personnel Policy Manual as may be applicable to the Fire Department, and such other materials as deemed appropriate. The Civil Service Commission shall set the minimum passing score. Of those candidates achieving or passing the minium passing score, only the candidates with the five highest scores score shall continue with evaluations and interviews set forth in subsections (d)(1), (3), and (4).
(3) An evaluation of the candidate’s prior service record. The Civil Service Commission shall establish points to be added or subtracted from the candidate’s total combined score of subsections (d)(1) and (2), based upon length of service, education pertaining to the fire service achieved while a fire fighter, and disciplinary history.
(4) An interview conducted by the Fire Chief, Safety/Service Director and the Mayor.
(Ord. 2020-050. Passed 11-17-20.)
(e) The Mayor shall appoint as Assistant Fire Chief the candidate with the highest combine score from subsection (d).
(f) Ohio Revised Code section 124.34 shall govern the discipline, demotion, suspension and removal of the Assistant Fire Chief.
(Ord. 2019-031. Passed 9-24-19.)