The Chief of the Fire and Medical Department shall be appointed by the Town Manager. It shall be the duty of the Fire Chief to:
(A) Be accountable for the personnel, morale and general efficiency of the Fire and Medical Department;
(B) Direct the operations of the Fire and Medical Department, subject to the rules and regulations thereof;
(C) Be present at all fires and emergencies, if possible responds, plans and directs the handling thereof. During the process of a fire or emergency response, the authority of the Fire Chief shall be absolute in all matters directly concerning the emergency or the extinguishment of a fire and the disposition of property endangered by it;
(D) Conduct suitable drill or instructions in the operation and handling of equipment, first-aid and rescue work, salvage, a study of buildings in the town, water supplies and all other matters generally considered essential to the safety of life and property from fire;
(E) Assist the proper authorities in suppressing the crime of arson by investigation or causing to be investigated the cause, origin and circumstances of all fires;
(F) Inspect buildings and premises and serve written notice upon the owner or occupant to abate, within a specified time, any and all fire hazards that may be found. For the purpose of conducting the inspections, the Chief is empowered to enter any and all buildings and premises with the town at any reasonable hour. Any person served with the written notice shall comply and notify the Chief of his or her compliance within a reasonable time;
(G) Keep complete records of all fires, inspections, apparatus and equipment, personnel and other information about the work of the Department available for inspection and furnish to the Town Manager upon request; and
(H) Enforce or cause to be enforced all ordinances, laws and regulations of the town and state, insofar as they pertain to fire and safety, in accordance with the adopted Uniform Fire Code.
(Prior Code, Ch. 7, Art. II, § 7-28) (Ord. 299-00, passed 10-16-2000; Ord. 723-23, passed 4-3-2023)