The Fire Department shall be supervised by the Fire Chief. The Fire Chief shall be responsible to the City Manager for the efficient operation and management of the Fire Department. The Fire Chief shall have the power to act in whatever capacity may be deemed necessary for the safety and protection of the residents from danger or loss of life or injury to persons or property from fire hazards. Any power, duty or function, whether ministerial, discretionary, or whatever character vested in or imposed upon the Fire Chief may be exercised, discharged, and performed by any officer of the Fire Department or authorized designees.
It shall be the duty of, and the Fire Chief is authorized to:
a. Administer, enforce or aid in the enforcement of all laws, administrative regulations and ordinances of the Commonwealth and the City relating to fire loss;
b. Investigate the cause, origin, and circumstances of fires and explosions for the purpose of detecting and suppressing arson and related offenses, and for the purpose of minimizing or preventing fire loss;
c. Make periodic inspections of all existing buildings, except one and two familydwellings, which the Fire Chief has jurisdiction for compliance with adopted fire/life safety codes;
d. Enter in or upon any property to make an inspection or investigation for the purpose of preventing fire loss or determining the origin of any fire, but this shall apply to the interior of private, occupied dwellings only when a fire has occurred therein or when there is reason to believe that unsafe fire conditions exist in the building;
e. Issue and enforce reasonable emergency orders and orders in accordance with KRS 227.330 for the prevention of fire loss, and for the adoption, approval, and installation of safety measures, remodeling, and equipment as will minimize fire loss; and,
f. Conduct fire prevention and educational campaigns.
(Ord. BG2021-15, 5/4/2021)