(a) It shall be the duty of the Fire Chief to faithfully enforce the laws of the State of Ohio and the Village of Highland Hills. He shall preside at all meetings of the Fire Department. He shall have command over all members of the Department at all meetings, all drills and fires and it shall be the duty of every member of the Department to obey the orders of the Fire Chief at all meetings, drills and fires. He shall have authority to make, impose and enforce any rules and regulations as are necessary and authorized by law subject to review and approval by the Mayor. In the immediate vicinity of the fire and during the period of emergency, the Chief shall have full Marshal and Police powers as authorized by law.
(b) It shall be the duty of the Fire Chief to inspect all Department equipment or to cause the same to be inspected, or to coordinate such inspection to meet all minimum requirements of a volunteer Fire Department as established by law. The Fire Chief shall have the duty to cause the same to be kept in good repair.
(c) In case of infraction, insubordination, malfeasance, misfeasance, nonfeasance or in case of any other cause for suspension or discipline, under the laws of the State of Ohio, of any member of the Fire Department, the Fire Chief shall forthwith file a full report in writing with the Mayor. Any discipline shall be handled as provided by the Charter or the Personnel Employee Handbook.
(d) The Fire Chief shall provide reports to the Mayor and Council on an annual basis or more often as Council or the Mayor may require. Reporting requirements may be waived or amended by Council at any time.
(e) The Chief shall have power and authority, and it shall be his or her duty to demolish buildings or parts of buildings, which in his or her judgment may cause further damage to life or property, or which in his or her judgment may be necessary to prevent the further spread of fire.
(f) The Chief shall order inspections of public buildings and other structures at intervals that he or she deems necessary, for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not said buildings constitute a fire hazard, evacuation procedures including but not limited to emergency first responder plans.
(g) The Chief shall keep or cause to be kept records including an alphabetical roster of all employees, employee personnel files, disciplinary action, sick leaves or leaves of absence, inventories of all equipment, tool and appliances, a record of all communications received or sent, and all permits required by law, and any and all such other records as may be necessary in the operation of a volunteer Fire Department. (Ord. 2011-01. Passed 4-13-11.)