The members of the Fire Department shall, at the time of each annual meeting of the Department, recommend some person for the office of Chief of the Fire Department, who, upon being confirmed by the Mayor and Council, shall hold office until his or her successor shall be appointed and qualified. The Chief of the Fire Department shall be subject to removal by the Mayor at any time. The Chief of the Fire Department shall be subject to the orders of the governing body by resolution and shall be under the immediate supervision of the City Administrator. The Fire Chief shall, on or before the last Tuesday in April of each year, furnish or cause the Secretary to furnish the Municipal Clerk a copy of the roster of the members of the Fire Department in good standing and from month to month thereafter, he or she shall report any proposed additions or changes in the roster for proper action by the Council so that all members of the Fire Department shall be at all times covered by insurance or by such other lawful protections and benefits as may be provided under state or municipal law. The Chief of the Fire Department shall have under his or her control the property, implements and apparatus used by the Fire Department subject to the general and specific directives of the governing body. He or she shall use all proper means for the extinguishment of fires, the protection of property, the preservation of order and the enforcement of all laws relating to fires and fire protection which governs the municipality. During the time of fire or great public danger, he or she shall have and exercise the powers and duties of the Chief of Police. Upon the written consent and directive of the governing body, the Fire Chief shall cause the repair, improvement or maintenance of the property of the Fire Department and shall personally supervise and approve of the same. No obligation, except in an emergency or when the expenditure is of a minor nature, shall be incurred on behalf of the Fire Department by the Fire Chief unless the obligation was previously authorized in writing by the governing body.
(2005 Code, § 1-320)