The officers of the Fire Department are the Fire Chief, two Assistant Chiefs (the First Assistant Chief and the Second Assistant Chief), two Captains (the First Captain and the Second Captain), a Fire Service Instructor, a Safety Officer and a Fire Marshal.
(A) Fire Chief.
(1) Appointment. The Chief shall be appointed by the Governing Authority and said appointment shall be deemed an indefinite appointment. The conditions of the Chief's employment shall be in accordance with the personnel policies and rules and regulations of the Department.
(2) Duties.The Chief shall be responsible to the Governing Authority for the following:
(a) Planning, directing and coordinating all activities of the Department including, but not limited to, fire protection, fire prevention and education services, training and safety.
(b) Preparation and administration of the Department budget.
(c) Communication of departmental objectives, policies and procedures to members of the Department and to the public.
(d) Enforcement of ordinances or other laws directed toward fire prevention.
(e) Inspecting, or causing to be inspected any and all premises and ordering or causing the abatement or removal of all fire hazards. Pursuant to the power to order inspections of all premises, the Chief shall have the authority to obtain search warrants in the manner prescribed by law and consistent with legal procedures appertaining.
(f) Investigating, or causing to be investigated, the cause, origin, and circumstance of each fire occurring within the corporate limits of the city (and elsewhere pursuant to contract where the rendition of such services is authorized by the contractual undertakings of the city) resulting in destruction or damage exceeding $100 except that all fires of unknown origin shall be investigated in order to determine whether the fire was the result of carelessness, accident or design. All investigations shall begin no later than two days after the occurrence of the fire.
(g) Making such reports as may, from time to time, be required by the State Fire Marshal, or the Governing Authority.
(h) Recommending to the Governing Authority for its approval rules and regulations for the Department. The rules and regulations shall define, but shall not be limited to, the chain of command, job descriptions, training participation and health requirements and discipline.
(i) As the Chief deems necessary, recommend administrative and operational policies for the Department to the Governing Authority for its approval.
(j) Make such reports as may be directed by the Governing Authority.
(k) Performance of such other functions as are necessary to properly administer and to insure the efficient and safe operation of the Department.
(B) Fire Marshal. The office of Fire Marshal may be held by the Chief or by his assistant if the Governing Authority approves. The Fire Marshal shall be charged with the enforcement of all city ordinances and laws of the State of Minnesota with reference to fire protection. He shall have full authority to inspect all premises and shall, with prior City Council approval, initiate action for the removal or abatement of fire hazards and other indicated enforcement action in the city.
(C) Fire Services Instructor. The Fire Service Instructor, under the supervision of the Chief, shall be responsible for setting up training programs, drill schedules, training new members, attendance records, and maintaining other membership records and data. The Fire Service Instructor shall coordinate activities of such office with the Fire Chief in all matters of Department interest, and shall, among other duties, submit semiannual reports to the Fire Chief and annual reports through the Chief to the Governing Authority on those operations of the Department under his responsibility.
(D) Safety Officer. The Safety Officer shall be a member of the Fire Department assigned and authorized by the Fire Chief as the principal Safety Officer assigned to perform the duties and responsibilities specified in NFPA 1521, Standard for Fire Department Safety Officer, 1992 Edition as amended.
(Ord. 333, passed 2-12-96)