The Fire Chief shall perform all duties required of the Fire Chief by law or ordinance, including, but not limited to, the following:
A. Enforce Laws: Enforce ordinances and laws regulating fire prevention, Fire Code enforcement and the investigation of the cause, origin and circumstances of fires.
B. Appointment And Removal: The Fire Chief shall be appointed and may be discharged by the City Manager subject to final approval of the City Council. Appointments to officer vacancies will be at the discretion of the Fire Chief, subject to final approval by the City Manager. In case of the absence of the Chief, the officer next in rank, or the Fire Chief's designee, shall be in charge and have and exercise all powers of the Chief. In the case of the removal or departure of the Fire Chief, an interim Fire Chief will be appointed by the City Manager.
C. Technical Assistance: Upon request, give advice concerning private fire alarm systems, fire extinguishing equipment, fire escapes and exits, and development of fire emergency plans.
D. Personnel: Recruit, select, and train personnel to provide the necessary proficiency level for emergency service responses.
E. Training: Designating personnel, with the City Manager's approval, to attend schools and courses concerned with fire and rescue service and all reasonably related subjects.
F. Authority At Fires: When in charge of a fire scene, direct an operation as necessary to extinguish or control a fire, perform a rescue operation, investigate the existence of a suspected or reported fire, gas leak, or other hazardous condition, or take any other action deemed necessary in the reasonable performance of the department's duties.
G. Rules: Have the power, in the exercise of duties, to prescribe, promulgate, and enforce rules and regulations for the governance of the members and employees of the fire department, which shall, however, not be inconsistent with this code or the laws of the state; and provide every member of the department with a copy of these rules and regulations. Any change or amendment to the same, before being effective, must be approved by the city manager.
H. Command: Be charged with the duty of maintaining the efficiency, discipline and control of the fire department. The members of the fire department shall, at all times, be subject to the direction of the fire chief.
I. Property: Exercise and have full control over the disposition of all fire apparatus, tools, equipment and other property used by or belonging to the fire department.
J. Notification: Whenever death, serious bodily injury, or property damage in excess of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000.00) has occurred as a result of a fire, or if arson is suspected, notify the state fire marshal's division immediately. For all fires causing an estimated damage of fifty dollars ($50.00) or more or emergency responses by the fire department, file a report with the fire marshal's division within ten (10) days following the end of the month. The report shall indicate all fire incidents occurring and state the name of the owners and occupants of the property at the time of the fire, the value of the property, the estimated total loss to the property, origin of the fire as determined by investigation, and other facts, statistics, and circumstances concerning the fire incidents.
K. Right Of Entry: Have the right, during reasonable hours and upon consent of the occupant, to enter any building or premises within the fire chief's jurisdiction for the purpose of making such investigation or inspection which under law or ordinance may be necessary to be made and is reasonably necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare.
L. Recommendation: Make such recommendations to owners, occupants, caretakers or managers of buildings necessary to eliminate fire hazards.
M. Assist State Fire Marshal: At the request of the state fire marshal, and as provided by law, aid said marshal in the performance of duties by investigating, preventing and reporting data pertaining to fires.
N. Records: Cause to be kept records of the fire department personnel, firefighting equipment, and depreciation of all equipment and apparatus, the number or responses to alarms, their cause and location, and an analysis of losses by value, type and location of buildings.
O. Reports: Compile and submit to the city manager an annual report of the status and activities of the department, plus monthly minutes of the regular meetings, as well as such other reports as may be requested by the mayor, council or city manager.
P. Control Of Scenes: Prohibit an individual, vehicle or vessel from approaching a fire scene and remove from the scene any object, vehicle, vessel or individual that may impede or interfere with the operation of the fire department.
Q. Authority To Barricade: Place or erect ropes, guards, barricades or other obstructions across a street, alley, right of way, or private property near the location of the fire or emergency so as to prevent accidents or interference with the firefighting efforts of the fire department, to control the scene until any required investigation is complete, or to preserve evidence related to the fire or other emergency.
R. Other Duties: Any other duties as directed by the city manager or city council. (Ord. 15-10, 7-20-2015)