The Chief of the Fire Department shall be appointed by the Council based upon the recommendations made by the Council member appointed to the Fire Department and the recommendation of the acting members of the volunteer Fire Department after a consensus of the members is taken. The Fire Chief shall serve at the pleasure of the Council. It shall be the duty of the Chief to:
(A) Be accountable to the Council for the personnel, morale and general efficiency of the Fire Department;
(B) Direct the operations of the Fire Department, subject to the policies, rules and regulations thereof;
(C) Be present at all fires, and other Fire Department related emergencies, if possible, and plan and direct the extinguishment thereof. During the progress of a fire or other Fire Department related emergency, the authority of the Fire Chief shall be absolute in all matters directly concerning the extinguishment of the fire and the disposition of property endangered by the fire;
(D) Conduct suitable and scheduled drills or instruction 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 good firefighting and 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 inspection, the Chief is hereby empowered to enter any and all buildings and premises within 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 open to Council inspection and furnish to the Council information upon request;
(H) Make a complete annual report, in writing, to the Council at a time as may be specified by the Council, and the report shall include the information specified in division (G) above, together with comparative data for previous years and recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the Department;
(I) Enforce or cause to be enforced all ordinances, laws and regulations of the town and state, insofar as they pertain to fire and safety;
(J) Appoint with the approval of the Council an ambulance supervisor; and
(K) Demote, dismiss or expel any officer or member of the Department for neglect or refusal to perform Departmental duties, subject to the right of any members so demoted, dismissed or expelled to appeal to the Council.
(1974 Code, § 4-2-4) (Ord. 00-008, passed 1-25-2000)