The Austin Fire Department could get the go-ahead from City Council to start transitioning to a three-commander command structure.

Council members will vote Monday night on whether to allow Fire Chief Mickey Healey to implement the three-commander structure he wants.

Under the current command structure, there are 32 firefighters who report to one commander, and the commander reports to the chief. Healey is hoping to establish a chain of command that would have three commanders — one for each shift.

Concerns were raised at a City Council work session two weeks ago regarding the bargaining unit the commanders would belong to.

Council member Brian McAlister previously said he would prefer if the commanders could be in a different bargaining unit than the other firefighters to avoid conflict.

“If they’re not in the same (bargaining) unit, that takes some of the (politics) out of it,” council member Jeff Austin said at the work session.

AFD used to have a three-commander structure, but as people retired, the positions were never filled. In April 2008, talks began between the department and City Council to potentially switch over to a structure with one chief and one assistant chief. However, in July 2009, council members voted 6-1 to suspend the assistant fire chief process.

Healey compared his need for a more thorough command structure to that of the police department. The APD has several different ranks, including a chief, captain, lieutenants, sergeants and patrolmen. He said having three commanders would improve communication and efficiency.

The meeting will be held in Council Chambers at City Hall Monday night at 5:30 p.m. A work session will take place immediately following the meeting.