(A) (1) The Chief, subject to supervision by the Manager, shall:
(a) Have general control of the Department, the personnel, apparatus and fire alarm systems;
(b) Command the Department and supervise the firefighting and extinguishing of all fires and have the authority to keep away from the vicinity of all fires any and all idle, disorderly or suspicious persons;
(c) Inspect or cause to be inspected all trucks and other equipment of the Fire Department each and every week to ascertain that equipment is being kept in proper condition; and
(d) Inspect or cause to be inspected all fire hydrants at least once every 3 months and shall make a report of the inspection to the Manager.
(2) The Fire Chief shall make a monthly written report to the Manager of all meetings of the Fire Department and the attendance of the members, all fires occurring in the town and all out-of-town calls made by members of the Department.
(3) The Fire Chief shall have all fire hydrants tested at least twice each year and shall notify the Director of Public Works in writing of any hydrants that are not in good working order.
(4) (a) The Chief is to assume the functions of Fire Inspector.
(b) As such, he or she shall have authority to enter any and all premises, at a reasonable time for purposes of inspection.
(c) Upon receipt of a complaint, he or she shall forthwith investigate.
(d) He or she shall investigate the causes of fires and shall keep records of his or her findings as to origin, location, owner, extent of damage and injury.
(e) The findings must be reported to the state insurance commissioner at regular intervals.
(f) He or she shall cause the removal of fire hazards by serving proper orders to the owner or agent of premises in question.
(g) The orders shall state a reasonable time limit.
(h) Failure to comply with the order shall be considered a misdemeanor.
(1988 Code, § 10-18)
(B) (1) The officer in command shall have authority to summon aid.
(2) During the continuance of a fire, the Fire Chief, his or her assistant or the Manager shall have authority to call upon any citizen to render assistance in pulling down or demolishing any building or in removing goods or furniture from a building on fire or in danger of fire, but not without the consent of the Manager or of the officer of the Fire Department who may be in charge.
(3) It shall be unlawful to congregate on the streets or alleys near a fire in a manner which would interfere with the activities of the Fire Department.
(1988 Code, § 10-19) Penalty, see § 10.99
Statutory reference:
Duties of Fire Chief, see G.S. § 160A-292
Fire department authorized, see G.S. § 160A-291