(A) The Fire Department is hereby created. The Fire Chief shall administer the Fire Department, which shall include such other members as are appointed in the manner provided by the laws of the State of Minnesota, and the Charter and ordinances of the city.
(B) The function and duty of the Fire Department and every member thereof, shall be to extinguish accidental or destructive fires and to prevent the occurrence or spread of such fires and to provide emergency medical service. The Department and its members shall perform additional duties to protect the health and safety of any endangered person and to prevent the loss of property, at the scene of a fire or otherwise.
(C) The Fire Chief shall ensure that the department responds to such fires and other emergencies as is advisable; and upon arriving at the scene of any emergency he shall assume full command of Fire Department personnel. He shall further establish a chain of command for Fire Department personnel at the scene of a fire or other emergency.
(D) The Fire Chief shall be responsible for the proper training and discipline of all members of the Department. He shall conduct training drills as are necessary to provide instruction in approved methods of fire fighting, fire prevention and rescue techniques.
(E) The Fire Chief shall have control and custody of all fire equipment and apparatus belonging to the city and shall cause all necessary repairs to be made thereto.
(F) The Fire Chief shall be responsible for the maintenance of a record of all fires. Such a record shall include the date and time of alarm, location of fire, cause of fire if known, type and use of building, name of owner and tenants, and the estimated value of the building and its contents. The record shall also indicate the identity of members of the Department responding to the alarm, and such other information as may be appropriate or required by the proper authority.
(G) The Fire Chief shall enforce the laws of the State of Minnesota, all federal and state codes, and ordinances of the city relating to fire prevention; investigate the cause of fires and alarms, and promote fire safety.
(H) A Fire Department Volunteer Force is hereby established consisting of paid-on-call members. Members of the Fire Department Volunteer Force shall be subject to normal administrative supervision and control of the Fire Chief, while exercising their duties.
(I) The Fire Chief shall carry out any mutual fire aid program that is contracted by the Mayor and Manager pursuant to action of the Council.
(1) A mutual fire aid program shall be defined as a plan, program or agreement providing that participating fire protection organizations agree to come to one another's assistance in case of fire or other disaster beyond the capabilities of the fire protection organization that has primary geographic responsibility for handling said fire or disaster.
(2) A fire protection organization shall be defined as any governmental unit providing fire protection services within its boundaries, or other incorporated or unincorporated organization providing fire protection services, which has the power and authority to enter into a mutual fire aid program.
(3) Assistance may be rendered directly at the scene of the fire or disaster or indirectly by providing standby equipment and personnel to handle other emergencies that may arise.
(4) The terms of any mutual fire aid program shall not bind or obligate the city to furnish fire fighting equipment or personnel for use outside the boundaries of Columbia Heights to such a degree that in the judgment of the Columbia Heights Fire Chief the safety and general welfare of the persons and property situated in the city is jeopardized.
(5) The city shall not be obligated under the provisions of any mutual aid program to expend funds to any participating fire protection organization, unless otherwise authorized by enactment of the Council.
(J) The member of the Fire Department in command at any fire shall have the authority to order any member of the Department to enter any premises and remove property whenever it is necessary for the preservation of such property from fire, to prevent the spreading of fire, or to protect adjoining property.
(K) The member of the Fire Department in command at any fire shall have the authority to demolish any building or structure under circumstances of absolute necessity to prevent a conflagration or check the progress of the fire.
(L) The Fire Chief shall oversee all aspects of the Housing Maintenance Code and inspections pertain to same.
(M) The Fire Chief is authorized to issue a citation in lieu of arrest or continued detention to persons violating the following sections of this code, to wit:
(1) Chapter 8, Article IV, Fire Safety.
(2) Section 8.204, Public Nuisances Affecting Peace and Safety.
(3) Chapter 5A, Housing Maintenance Code.
(`77 Code, § 3.202) (Ord. 1160, passed 3-28-88)