Recently there have been a lot of discussions about the ‘hiring of the new Fire Chief’ and whether or not the Rescue Captain should be hired or elected. Despite all of the wonderful dialog Council has had and ideas generated, one little thing may need to be dealt with first. A little something called the Town Code. If you look at the code (see sections below) the Fire Chief is to be appointed by the Town Manager, not elected by the members of the squad, nor appointed by Town Council.
The Rescue Squad Codes mandate that ALL officers shall be elected annually by its members. Not hired, not appointed, or anything else.
(There are also a few other little items in these Codes that might make for interesting research in the future.)
So at the meeting tonight, Monday, May 10th 7pm of the Emergency Services Committee (there’s even a Town Charter entry for this Committee – see below) there may be a discussion of whether to hire or elect a replacement for the Chief should he retire, but it will be just that — discussion — until the Town Council makes a decision and a code revision. As it stands now, there is no option to hire rather than elect the Rescue Squad Chief.
Article II. Volunteer Fire Company
Sec. 12-37. Officers
The Volunteer fire Company shall elect its own officers annually with the exception of the Fire Chief, who shall be appointed annually by the Town Manager. Those elected by the Volunteer Fire Company shall consist of the Assistant Fire Chief, Captain, Engineers and a Secretary-Treasurer, together with any other officers deemed necessary by the Volunteer Fire Company or the Town Council.
Sec. 12-38. Election and certification of officers; roster of members.
All officers of the Volunteer Fire Department elected by its members shall be certified to the Council immediately after election, together with a complete and corrected roster of the Company before they assume the responsibilities of their respective offices.
Sec. 12-41. Same – Duties of Chief.
It shall be the responsibility of the Chief of the Volunteer Fire Company to keep all apparatus referred to in Section 12-40 in proper condition and repair and to that end to make regular systematic inspections of such apparatus and equipment. It shall be the duty of the Chief of the Volunteer Fire Company to report to the Town Manager at least once each year and as often as may be deemed necessary as to the condition of such apparatus and equipment, with recommendations as to new equipment, additional or replacement, required for the protection of life and property in the Town. Such reports shall be submitted in writing to the Town manager.
Sec. 12-41. Record and report of fires.
The Fire Chief shall make or cause to be made a careful record of all fires occurring in the Town together with the estimated loss resulting therefrom. He shall make a report of the data so collected and submit it in writing to the Town Manager on or before the first day of August of each year.
Rescue Squad:
Sec. 23-2. Officers.
The voluntary rescue and lifesaving crew shall include as elected officers a Captain, Secretary-Treasurer, and any additional officers deemed necessary by the voluntary rescue and lifesaving crew or the Town Council.
Sec. 23-3. Election and certification of officers; roster of members.
All officers of the voluntary rescue and lifesaving crew shall be elected annually by its members and certified to the Council immediately after election, together with a complete and corrected roster of all members before they assume responsibility of their respective offices.
Sec. 23-6. Duties of Captain relative to vehicles and equipment.
It shall be the responsibility of the Captain of the rescue and lifesaving crew to keep all equipment and vehicles. It shall be the duty of the Captain of the rescue and lifesaving crew to report to the Town Manager at least once a year, and as often as deemed necessary, as to the condition of such equipment and vehicles, with recommendations as to new equipment, additional or replacement, required for the reasonable protection of life and property in the Town or the area served by the rescue and lifesaving crew. Such report shall be submitted in writing to the Town Manager.
Where the Town Council does have some influence, if it so desires.
Sec 2-191 through 2-193 of Charter:
Sec. 2-191. Establishment; purpose; creation of Safety Commission.
There is hereby established an official safety program which shall be known as the Safety Program for the Town of Christiansburg. The purpose of this program is to promote all facets of safety within the Town and to this end there is hereby created a safety commission to be known as the Safety Commission of the Town of Christiansburg.
Sec. 2-192. Composition of Safety Commission; duties.
(a) The Safety Commission shall consist of one member of the Town Council, the Town Manager, and a representative of each of the following: the Police Department, The Fire Department, the Rescue Squad, and the Public Works Department. The Town Manager shall have the authority to appoint a Coordinator of the Safety Program.
(b) The Safety Commission shall advise the Town Council on the development of the safety program and on all matters pertaining to public safety.
