(a) (1) The Volunteer Fire Department of the Village shall be composed of no more than forty active members who shall be appointed by the Mayor with the consent and approval of Council in accordance with subsection (a)(2) hereof, and not more than nineteen reserve members. Each person seeking membership in the volunteer fire department shall reside in an area from which he or she can respond to fire calls in the area served by the Ottawa Volunteer Fire Department and shall be approved through membership and appointed in accordance with Village Ordinances, Rules and Regulations.
(Ord. 98-21. Passed 9-28-98.)
(2) Vacancies resulting from death, resignation, removal or retirement shall be filled by appointment by the Mayor with the consent and approval of Council. Any person so appointed shall, prior to appointment, have successfully completed the application process required by Council and shall possess those qualifications approved by Council.
(3) The Fire Chief shall appoint a department Chaplain with the approval of Council.
(b) The Fire Chief shall be appointed by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of Council and shall continue in office as provided in Ohio R.C. 737.22.
(c) The Fire Chief shall recommend to the Mayor a member or members of the Fire Department for Assistant Chief(s) who may appoint same for a term of three years.
(d) A member of the Department shall be appointed as Lieutenant for a term of three years, with the advice and consent of Council.
(e) All officers of the Department shall possess the qualifications set forth in the Village Handbook.
(f) Any fire apparatus and property of the Village, used in extinguishing fires, shall be under the control and in the custody of the Chief of the Department, who shall keep such apparatus and property in good condition and order so as to be ready for use at all times, subject to such further rules, regulations and restrictions as Council may deem just and reasonable.
(g) The members of the Department shall receive as salary for their services in preventing and extinguishing fires, the sum of one dollar ($1.00) per annum, payable annually on the first day of January of each year, and in addition thereto, the Village shall reimburse them for any damages to their clothes occurring while acting as members of such Department. The Fire Chief shall be paid such compensation as is provided by Council.
(h) In case of the death, resignation, absence, sickness or neglect of the Chief, an interim or successor shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of Council.
(i) The Department may elect such other officers for its government as it sees fit and adopt such rules and regulations as it deems necessary, subject to the approval of Council.
(Ord. 94-20. Passed 12-19-94.)