| A Request for an Advisory Opinion, submitted by Fire Chief Christopher Bourgeois, regarding whether the Louisiana Code of Governmental Ethics ("Code") would prohibit a Captain employed by the Schriever Fire Protection District ("District") [as the District's Office Manager] from maintaining his rank as Captain after the District's planned reorganization of the Schriever Volunteer Fire Department ("Department"). |
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The Fire Chief is appointed and hired by the District, who is governed and administered by a five (5) person board. The District is separated into two (2) divisions: Administration and Operations. The District has decided to hire full-time, paid firefighters/operators, who will be employed by the District. Several Department officers, (officers maintain the ranks of Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief, and Captain) would like to apply for those positions.
The Deputy Chief is a Department elected position. The Deputy Chief's duties are to manage the Department in the absence of the Fire Chief. The position is over other elected positions, as well as the operations of emergencies. The Deputy Chief is the direct supervisor of the Department's Assistant Chiefs.
The Assistant Chief is also a Department elected position. The Assistant Chief's duties are to assist the Deputy Chief and the Fire Chief with the operations of emergencies. The Assistant Chief can also manage the Department in the absence of the Fire Chief. The Assistant Chiefs are the direct supervisors of the Captains.
Captains are appointed by the Department's Chief Officers. Captains are responsible for the supervision of the firefighters. Captains also assist with the management of stations and emergency scenes.
In the Administration Division, the District employs an Office Manager on a paid basis, who currently has the rank of Captain. The Office Manager handles all finances for the District, including payroll and paying bills. The Office Manager Captain has been employed for three (3) years. The Office Manager has no supervision or authority over District employees. The District seeks this opinion to determine whether the Code prohibits the Office Manager from maintaining the rank of Captain after the reorganization of the Department.
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Adopt the proposed advisory opinion.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
LaToya D. Jordan |
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