Merit Commission

The purpose of the Merit Commission is to establish the processes for selection, promotion, discipline, demotion, and/or dismissal of sworn firefighters and to provide review and oversight of those processes. The Fire Chief assigns administrative staff as appropriate to provide liaison between the Fire Department, Township Board, and the Merit Commission. The Merit Commission does not create policy or develop standards relating to the standard operating procedures for the Fire Department. The Merit Commission does establish eligibility lists for probationary firefighter and officer ranks resulting from selection and promotion processes that have been administered by the Department according to Commission rules and statutory requirements. The Commission is responsible for making offers of employment to probationary firefighters, from the eligibility lists. The Commission is responsible for recommending firefighters to the Chief for promotion from the eligibility lists. The Commission also reviews and rules on cases of lesser discipline (up to 5 days suspension) upon request, and makes ultimate determinations of serious discipline (more than 5 days suspension, demotion. or dismissal) when such discipline is recommended by the Chief.