CA-0024 Draft 2 - Proposed Amendment to Article VII Chapter 4 Fire Dept - formatted

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CHARTER AMENDMENT NO. CA -24, DRAFT 2 BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII: Section 1. Article VII, Chapter 4, Section 7-4.2, of the Hawai`i County Charter (2018 Edition), is amended to read as follows: "Section 7-4.2. Statement of Policy. It is hereby declared to be the purpose of this chapter to establish in the county a system of fire protection and prevention, water safety and emergency services which shall be based on qualified and professional leadership and personnel. In order to achieve this purpose, the Hawai`i fire department shall be operated in accordance with the following: (a) Standards for recruitment shall be designed to attract into the department persons with high degrees of education, intelligence and personal stability. (b) Promotions and other personnel actions shall be based upon fair and appropriate standards of merit, ability and work performance. (c) Appropriate training shall be provided to the maximum extent possible and practicable." Section 2. Article VII, Chapter 4, Section 7-4.3, of the Hawai`i County Charter (2018 Edition), is amended to read as follows: "Section 7-4.3. Fire Chief. (a) The fire chief shall be appointed by the fire commission and may be removed by the fire commission at its sole discretion. Any motion for removal of the fire chief must contain a statement of reasons, and the commission shall not vote to remove the fire chief unless the fire chief has been given an opportunity to respond to the statement of reasons at a hearing before the commission. (b) The fire chief shall have had a minimum of five years of training and experience in fire control, including at least three years of experience in a responsible administrative capacity. Additionally, the fire chief shall have a combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. The fire commission may waive any residency requirements during the fire chief selection process." Section 3. Article VII, Chapter 4, Section 7-4.4, of the Hawai`i County Charter (2018 Edition), is amended to read as follows: "Section 7-4.4. Powers, Duties and Functions. The fire chief shall: (a) Perform firefighting, water safety and emergency services in order to save lives and property from fires and from emergencies arising on land, on the sea and in hazardous terrain.