(a) The Fire Investigator shall be an individual selected from the ranks of the existing certified full-time employees of the City of Campbell Fire Department, and that the individual holding the position of Fire Investigator shall perform those duties and exercise those powers that are set forth hereinbelow, in addition to the other duties assigned to that individual in the regular course of business within the Fire Department of the City of Campbell. The individual assigned the duties of Fire Investigator shall be chosen by the Fire Chief of the Fire Department of the City of Campbell, and said selection by the Fire Chief shall be based upon appropriate criteria deemed essential and important as determined by the Fire Chief. The individual holding the position of Fire Investigator shall complete any and all training required by law of that individual to hold the position of Fire Investigator pursuant to Ohio R.C. 737.27, or as same may be amended from time to time. There shall be no enhancement in compensation to the individual holding the position of Fire Investigator by virtue of holding said position.
(b) The Fire Investigator shall investigate, or cause to be investigated, every fire or explosion occurring within the geographical limits of the City of Campbell that is of a suspicious nature or which involves the loss of life or serious injury or causes destruction or damage to real or personal property. Such investigation shall be commenced immediately upon the occurrence of any such fire or explosion. If it should appear that the fire or explosion is of a suspicious nature, the Fire Investigator shall have the duty to immediately take charge of any and all physical evidence relating to the cause or origin of such fire or explosion, and take all means necessary to prevent access by any person or persons to such building, structure, dwelling, residence or premises until such evidence has been properly and fully collected and processed. The Fire Investigator shall notify such persons that are designated by law to pursue investigations into such matters and shall further cooperate with such authorities in the collection of evidence and prosecution of any resulting criminal charges and in all ways fully pursue the investigation until its conclusion.
(c) The Fire Investigator, in the course of that individual’s investigation of any fire or explosion, shall have the power and duty to: investigate the cause of all fires; examine, question and/or interrogate witnesses or suspects; administer oaths; compel the presence of any witness, books, papers, or other documents of relevant import; and, to do and perform any and all other acts necessary to carry out the effective discharge of the Fire Investigator’s duties.
(d) The Fire Investigator shall have the right and power of arrest as is relevant to any fire or explosion being investigated by the Fire Investigator; shall have the right and power to bear a firearm for the limited and sole purpose of that individual’s investigation of a fire or explosion; and, to enter any building, residence, dwelling or structure which, in the Fire Investigator’s opinion, is in danger from fire or explosion.
(e) The Fire Investigator shall be required to provide that individual’s investigatory findings of any fire or explosion to Council as that legislative body may require from time to time.
(Ord. 02-9373. Passed 5-15-02.)