SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the fire chief of the city of Salem may appoint, with the approval of the mayor, as the fire chief considers necessary, retired Salem firefighters as special firefighters to perform fire details or any duties arising from fire details or during fire detail work, whether or not related to the detail work. The fire chief shall have discretion to appoint only retired Salem firefighters who served as regular Salem firefighters and are retired based on superannuation as special firefighters and shall establish department rules, procedures and policies concerning these appointments. Special firefighters shall not be subject to the same maximum age restrictions as applied to regular Salem firefighters under chapter 32 of the General Laws. Prior to appointment under this act, a retired Salem firefighter shall pass a medical examination by a physician or other certified professional chosen or agreed to by the department to determine whether the retired Salem firefighter is capable of performing the essential duties of a special firefighter under this act. The cost of the medical examination shall be borne by the retired Salem firefighter.

SECTION 2. Unless otherwise set forth in this act, chapter 31 of the General Laws, chapter 32 of the General Laws, section 99A of chapter 41 of the General Laws, sections 100 and 111F of chapter 41 of the General Laws, and chapter 152 of the General Laws, and rules promulgated under such laws, shall not apply to special firefighters appointed under this act.

SECTION 3. When performing the duties set forth in section 1, special firefighters shall have the same authorization to perform other firefighting functions as do regular firefighters of the city of Salem.

SECTION 4. The fire chief, with the approval of the mayor, may remove, or decline to reappoint, a special firefighter appointed for any reason, with or without cause. A special firefighter shall be appointed for a one-year term and all benefits afforded to special firefighters appointed under this act shall terminate upon the conclusion of the employment term. A special firefighter’s appointment shall automatically terminate upon the firefighter’s 70th birthday.

SECTION 5. Special firefighters appointed under this act shall be subject to the rules and regulations, policies and procedures and requirements as the fire chief may impose from time to time including, but not limited to, restrictions on the type and number of detail assignments, requirements regarding medical examinations to determine continuing fitness and capability to perform the duties of a special firefighter, requirements for training, CPR and First Aid credentials, requirements for maintaining of a medical or liability insurance policy, and requirements regarding uniforms, equipment, and conduct while working fire details.

SECTION 6. Special firefighters appointed under this act shall be sworn in by the fire chief for the city of Salem.

SECTION 7. Appointment as a special firefighter shall not entitle the appointee to assignment to any detail.

SECTION 8. Retired Salem firefighters serving as special firefighters under this act shall be subject to the limitations on hours worked and on earnings restrictions as provided in paragraph (b) of section 91 of chapter 32 of the General Laws. The fire chief shall assign details to retired firefighters in accordance with the procedures established through negotiation with the relevant collective bargaining unit.

SECTION 9. This act shall take effect upon its passage.