Council shall provide for fire protection adequate to meet the needs regarding health and safety of the Village, with a sense of public service. The Fire Chief must have a sense of public service, possess strong leadership skills which will enable him/her to establish and maintain discipline and efficiency as well as direct the activities of firefighters. The minimum qualification for appointment as Fire Chief shall be established from time to time by the Municipal Manager, which shall be consistent with the requirements of Ohio law, and confirmed by Village Council.
The Fire Department shall be under the direction of a Fire Chief, who shall be the Department Head and who shall report to the Municipal Manager for administrative purposes.
The Fire Chief is responsible for the efficient operation of his/her department, which shall include hiring, promotion and discipline of employees; budget and control of supplies and equipment; in-service education of firefighters and employees and all other activities which will assure the department's ability to function at the highest level possible to serve and protect the people of Woodlawn.
1. Disciplinary action in the fire department shall be taken as provided in the Village of Woodlawn employment policies, as they may be amended from time to time. The appointment, promotion and removal of the Fire Chief shall be made by the Municipal Manager with the approval of Council. The appointment, promotion and removal of members of the Fire Department shall be made by the Fire Chief in accordance with rules provided for by Council and this Charter, or upon achievement of city status, in accordance with the provisions of Article VIII hereof and rules promulgated thereunder. The Fire Chief shall be appointed by the Municipal Manager with the approval of Council.
2. A newly employed Fire Chief shall be on probation for one year and quarterly reviews will be conducted during the first year and thereafter reviewed on an annual basis. These reviews shall be done by the Municipal Manager, Mayor, and Council.
3. Before any employee is hired in the Fire Department, a thorough background check and investigation shall be done utilizing accepted industry standards and best practices. In the case of hiring a full-time employee, such employee must be approved by the Municipal Manager.
4. The Fire Department shall uphold the laws of the State of Ohio and the Village of Woodlawn.
5. The Fire Chief shall report to the Municipal Manager, except for during any ongoing criminal or sensitive investigation regarding such matters.
Should Council vote to have the Village join a joint fire district to provide for the fire protection needs of the Village, the provisions of this Section shall not apply.