Position Description for Member of Board of Fire Commissioners
The board of fire commissioners is created by Charter §§ 120 196. Commissioners
- May direct the Chief in his/her supervision, care and control of equipment;
- May direct the Chief in his/her control over the department’s discipline, order and conduct;
- Have two commissioners, along with the mayor, consent to the Chief’s order to destroy a building during the progress of a fire;
- Act as the board of appeals for appeals of fire officials’ code interpretations, orders or decisions;
- Have the duties and authority delegated to them by resolution of the Council;
- 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.