(a) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation to the contrary and in conjunction with the establishment of the Arson Prevention and Investigation Unit, the Director of Fire Service may reclassify designated employees of the Fire Service in accordance with the following schedule:
(1) Fire Marshals shall be equivalent to Fire Captains;
(2) Fire Inspectors shall be equivalent to Fire Lieutenants;
(3) Deputy Inspectors I or Deputy Marshals I shall be equivalent to Fire Sergeants;
(4) Deputy Inspectors II or Deputy Marshals II shall be equivalent to Fire Corporals; and
(5) Deputy Inspectors III or Deputy Marshals III shall be equivalent to Fire Fighters.
(b) The total number of reclassifications shall not exceed five reclassifications for each District.
(c) Such reclassification shall not affect the classified service status of the employees so reclassified.
(d) Any subsequent promotions within said Unit shall be accomplished in accordance with the normal competitive and promotion process and procedures of the Fire Service as if the reclassified employees were in competition for promotions from such employees' previously classified positions.