The Fire Chief is authorized to furnish all necessary equipment to duly appointed, qualified and acting firemen of the City. All such property shall be furnished by and at the expense of the City and shall remain the property of the City. In case of death, resignation or dismissal of any member of the Fire Department, all of such Department property shall be returned to the Fire Chief. Members of the Fire Department shall be held strictly responsible for the care and condition of the property in their charge. In case any such property is negligently destroyed or lost, the value thereof shall be deducted from the next regular pay of the member at fault.
(1963 Code §143.01)