(A) Establishment. There is hereby created the non-elective city office of Fire/EMS Chief.
(B) Appointment. The Fire/EMS Chief will be appointed by the Mayor with approval of the City Council.
(C) Powers and duties. The Fire/EMS Chief shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) Plans, organizes, directs, coordinates and evaluates the activities and programs of the Fire and Emergency Medical Service Department;
(2) Protects lives and property through prevention and suppression of fires, provision of rescue and emergency medical services;
(3) Responds to fires, rescue, and EMS scenes as necessary;
(4) Is responsible for development and implementation of an effective recruitment and retention program for volunteers;
(5) Develops and maintains a high level of morale and technical proficiency among the career, part-time and volunteer staff;
(6) Performs administrative duties and provides leadership in the development of municipal disaster and emergency plans;
(7) Formulates departmental policies, procedures, rules and regulations following consultation with the City Administrative Officer, elected city officers, and subordinate officers, firefighters and EMS personnel;
(8) Develops long-term plans to meet Fire/EMS needs of citizens;
(9) Develops the organizational structure of the Department in accordance with professional standards and City Council policy;
(10) Prepares and authorizes work schedules;
(11) Furnishes technical advice on fire safety and protection;
(12) Maintains a complete fire protection effort, including, but not limited to, Fire Prevention Code Enforcement, Public Fire Safety Education Program in the community;
(13) Maintains readiness of fire suppression forces and EMS capabilities;
(14) Investigates fires and explosions;
(15) Plans and prepares for community response to hazardous conditions;
(16) Maintains a complete training program for Fire/EMS staff;
(17) Supervises and evaluates the acquisitions, maintenance and use of fire equipment;
(18) Appoints, instructs, disciplines and evaluates departmental personnel, both volunteer and paid;
(19) Develops and maintains a written discipline and evaluation policy for volunteers with the City Administrative Officer;
(20) Authorizes purchase requisitions of supplies and equipment for the Department;
(21) Confers with representatives of federal, state and local agencies, including the insurance industry on various Fire and EMS safety issues;
(22) Prepares oral and written memoranda and reports on activities of the Department;
(23) Supervises others in the preparation of reports;
(24) Attends all City Council meetings or sees to it that a Fire/EMS Department representative is present;
(25) Attends Department, local and state fire and EMS organization meetings to maintain knowledge and relationships;
(26) Reviews Fire/EMS Department related complaints from the general public;
(27) Studies and reviews all laws, official opinions, and guidelines and makes recommendations for changes in municipal ordinances pertaining to fire and EMS issues;
(28) Maintains a proper record system compliant with all government regulations pertaining to fire loss, personnel training and departmental activity;
(29) Participates in approved fire safety and EMS courses as necessary and ensures that all subordinates, both paid and volunteer, are properly trained; and
(30) Represents the Department as needed.
(D) Compensation. The compensation of the Fire/EMS Chief shall be in an amount to be established by City Council, by ordinance, in accordance with the pay classification plan.
(Ord. 5-00, passed 3-22-00; Am. Ord. 3-01, passed 4-11-01)