Hereafter each and every appointment as a fire apparatus operator in every borough, incorporated town and township of the first class (hereinafter referred to as a municipality), shall be made only according to qualifications and fitness to be ascertained by examination, which shall be competitive as hereinafter provided.
No person shall hereinafter be suspended, removed or reduced in rank as a paid operator of fire apparatus of any municipality, except in accordance with the provisions of this act.
53 P.S. § 53301a