A. Appointment; Term: The fire chief shall be appointed by the mayor subject to the approval of the council. He shall hold office for the duration of his appointment unless sooner removed by the mayor with the concurrence of the council. (1961 Code § 1-17-1)
B. Rank; Powers: The chief of the fire department, commonly referred to as the fire chief, shall be the head of the department and have supervision over all officers and members thereof. The fire chief may, with the approval of the mayor, appoint such other fire department officers as may be deemed necessary, including a first assistant chief and a second assistant chief. (1961 Code § 1-17-2)
C. Duties:
1. Superintend: The fire chief, under the direction and control of the council, shall superintend all work in the erection and construction of fire company houses, when ordered by the council, and shall have the care, custody, and control of all apparatus and supplies.
2. Authority At Fires: The fire chief in all cases of fire shall take and have control of all members of the fire department and all other persons present at such fires and shall take all proper measures for extinguishing such fires for the protecting of property and preservation of order at any fires and in the vicinity of fires and upon the extinguishing of any fires, he shall have charge of the premises and cause the same to be watched until such time as, in his judgment, all danger has passed.
3. Reports: The fire chief shall report monthly before the council on the status and affairs of the fire department. (Ord. 25, 5-20-1910; amd. Ord. 48, 2-18-1913; 2004 Code)
4. Records: The fire chief shall keep such records and make such reports concerning the activities of his department as may be required by statute or by the mayor.
5. Department Performance: The fire chief shall be responsible for the performance of the fire department and of its functions and all persons who are members of the fire department shall serve subject to his orders.
6. Property And Equipment: The fire chief shall be responsible for the control and custody of all fire department property and equipment.
7. Police Authority: The fire chief shall have the authority of a police officer while actively engaged in fighting a fire, or going to or from a fire. (1961 Code § 1-17-3; amd. 2004 Code)