Fire Department:
The fire department of the City of Springfield, Brown County, Minnesota, shall consist of a chief of fire department and a fire company of not more than twenty-six members. The fire department shall adopt a constitution and by-laws for their government, which upon being approved by the City Council of said City shall be in force, but until such approval shall have no validity.
Organization:
The fire company may, under the direction ofthe chief, be organized into one or more sections which may consist of and be called Engine, House or Hook and Ladder sections.
Chief Appointment:
The chief of the fire department shall be elected by the members of the fire department at their annual meeting in January of each year, be approved by the council and shall hold his office until his successor has been appointed and qualified.
Chief Duties:
The Chief, in cases fire within the limits of said City shall be present and shall have the sole and complete control over all persons connected with the fire department and all implements and apparatus used in extinguishing said fires.
Expenditures:
Any necessary expenditures to keep the machinery or apparatus used by the fire department may be made by the direction of the chief: but such expenditures shall not exceed the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) at any one time without the consent and approval of the council.
Interference with Duties:
Any person who willfully hinders or resists any officer or member of the fire department or any City Policeman in his discharge of his or their duty at a fire, behaves himself in a disorderly manner, or shall without reasonable excuse, refuse to obey any order of the chief or person acting for him or in his stead, to work or assist in extinguishing such fire or any necessary command of the chief or person acting in his place, in a matter relating to the extinguishment of such fire or to protection of property thereat shall be punished by a fine not exceeding Three HundredDollars ($300.00)or by imprisonment in the county jail of Brown County, Minnesota, for a termnot exceeding ninety (90) days.
Removal of Chief or Officers:
The City Council of said City may remove from office the chief or any officer of said fire department for incompetency, misconduct in office or for any cause deemed by them to be sufficient, and may for sufficient cause disband any fire company organized by virtue of this ordinance.
City to Pay Debts:
The City shall pay all legal indebtedness incurred under this ordinance and shall pay the chief such salary for his service as said City Council may deem proper and shall fix at the time of his appointment; no other member of the fire department shall receive any pay for services rendered under this ordinance. (1978, Ord. No. 254)