House Bill No. [insert number] aims to establish the position of Chief of Operations within the fire and police civil service in Louisiana. The bill allows the governing authority to create this position through an ordinance or resolution, with the appointment process being competitive and based on a list of eligible candidates. The fire chief will have the authority to select, supervise, and discharge the Chief of Operations, subject to the approval of the appointing authority. The bill outlines the qualifications for the position, requiring a minimum of twenty-five years of service in fire suppression and at least one year as a confirmed battalion or district chief. Additionally, it specifies that the Chief of Operations can apply for promotional examinations but will not be certified for higher positions unless demoted back to their previous class.
Furthermore, the bill ensures that individuals appointed as Chief of Operations retain their departmental seniority and continue to accumulate it while in the position. If they are demoted or vacate the role, they will return to their previous class. The legislation also guarantees that the Chief of Operations has the same rights as other employees in the municipal fire and police civil service regarding corrective or disciplinary actions. Overall, this bill seeks to enhance the structure and accountability within the fire and police civil service by formalizing the role of Chief of Operations.