Seattle (Wash.). Board of Fire Commissioners

Established by the 1890 city charter to prescribe rules and regulations for the Fire Department; responsibilities included enforcing rules violations and appointing the fire chief and all subordinate officers; abolished with passage of a new city charter in 1896.

From the description of Minutes, 1890-1896. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70925016

A Board of Fire Commissioners, consisting of the mayor and four elected fire commissioners who served four-year terms, was established by the 1890 Seattle City Charter. The Board created rules and regulations for the Fire Department, enforced penalties for rules violations, and appointed the Fire Chief. The Chief then appointed all subordinate officers of the Department. The Board had the power to terminate the Fire Chief or any subordinate employee.

Further responsibilities of the Board included making reports to the City Council regarding the operations of the Department, including statistics on the number of alarms responded to, fire damages, and the expenses of the Department.

The Board was abolished with passage of a new City Charter in 1896.

From the guide to the Minutes, 1890-1896, (Seattle Municipal Archives)