City Council

Fire Commissioner

Position Description for Member of Board of Fire Commissioners

The board of fire commissioners is created by Charter §§ 120 196.  Commissioners

  1. May direct the Chief in his/her supervision, care and control of equipment;
  2. May direct the Chief in his/her control over the department’s discipline, order and conduct;
  3. Have two commissioners, along with the mayor, consent to the Chief’s order to destroy a building during the progress of a fire;
  4. Act as the board of appeals for appeals of fire officials’ code interpretations, orders or decisions;
  5. Have the duties and authority delegated to them by resolution of the Council;
  6. May hear fire department employee grievances to the extent provided in the City’s personnel policies.

Members of this board must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a legal voter of the City of Burlington
  • No more than two-thirds of the members shall be of the same political party.

Members of this board will be appointed for

  • a 3 year term and until their successors are appointed and qualified pursuant to  starting on the first of July following his or her appointment. 

Historically, this board regularly meets beginning at 8:15 a.m. every 6th Tuesday in the Chief’s office.

In addition, members of this board will be expected to:

  • Attend all scheduled meetings, or if a meeting must be missed, let the chairperson know ahead of the meeting if they will not be able to attend;
  • Review any materials provided to the board ahead of time;
  • Notify the chairperson and/or the city staff person assigned to the board of any accommodation for a disability that may be required in order for the person to serve;
  • Act from a spirit of cooperation and with respect towards other board members, staff members, and members of the public appearing before the board;
  • Avoid actual or apparent conflicts of interest or bias;
  • When deciding a controversy or responding to a request, conduct themselves in a fair and impartial manner;
  • Comply with all aspects of the Vermont Open Meeting and Access to Public Records laws;
  • Consider fairly the interests of all individuals and organizations whose interests may be affected by their actions as a city official.