A. The fire department shall consist of a chief, two (2) assistant chiefs and other officers as the chief and city manager may deem necessary for the effective operation of the department.
B. The members of the fire department shall by popular vote select one of their members whom they desire to serve as their chief and recommend such person to the city manager for appointment as chief of the fire department. The city manager shall either approve or disapprove of the person nominated and, if approved, shall appoint such person as fire chief. If disapproved the manager shall so notify the fire department membership of his disapproval and the members of the fire department shall thereafter select some other person to be appointed chief. Such procedure shall be continued until some person acceptable to the city manager is recommended as fire chief by the members of the fire department. Upon approval of such person, the city manager shall appoint that person to serve as fire chief and the tenure of the chief shall be for an indefinite period of time and shall depend upon his good conduct and efficiency.
C. The chief shall be technically qualified by training and experience and shall have the ability to command firefighters and hold their respect and confidence. The city manager may remove the fire chief from his office. Upon vote of the members of the fire department for removal of the chief, the city manager must remove the fire chief from his office.
D. The chief shall be held accountable to the city manager only, and shall make written and verbal reports thereto as the city manager may require. All other department and company officers shall be accountable to the chief only.
E. The assistant chiefs and all other department and company officers shall be nominated for their office by vote of the membership of the fire department and shall be appointed by the chief of the fire department after being nominated for such office by the membership of the fire department. Such officers shall be accountable only to the chief and subject to removal by him. (2000 Code § 13-202)