A. Appointment: The chief of the fire department shall be elected by the membership of the department and be confirmed as a courtesy by the mayor and the town council.
B. Term: The chief shall hold office at the will and discretion of the town council.
C. Powers And Duties:
1. Discipline; Enforcement Of Ordinances; Command: The chief of the fire department shall be responsible for the discipline, good order and proper conduct of the whole fire department, for the enforcement of all provisions of this code or other ordinances and regulation of the town pertaining thereto, and for the care and condition of the houses, fire apparatus and all other property of the department or in its charge. He shall have command and control of all officers and members of the department and of all houses, fire and ambulance apparatus and other property of the department or in its charge.
2. Control Of Persons At Scene Of Fire; Summoning Of Aid: The chief of the fire department shall have control of all persons present at fires, and shall have power, if need be, to summon all able bodied persons present to aid in extinguishing any fire, in removing property from any burning and exposed building and in guarding the same. Any able-bodied person refusing to obey such summons shall be liable to the penalties provided in section 1-4-1 of this code.
3. Records; Investigations; Reports: The chief of the fire department shall keep or cause to be kept a complete record of the activities of the fire department and shall make a thorough investigation or obtain a copy of the state fire marshal's written report of each fire and brief the town council monthly, giving in detail, if available, the cause, location, time, owner, tenant, occupancy, type of building, insurance carried, insurance paid, building loss, contents and how extinguished, the apparatus used, firemen present, adequacy of water supply and pressure and any other information of value.
4. Equipment Inventories And Recommendations: The chief of the fire department, immediately after assuming office and annually thereafter, shall make an inventory of all property owned by the fire department or in its charge, noting the condition of each article, which shall be submitted to the town council, together with recommendations for the purchase of additional equipment needed and any other recommendations he may desire to submit affecting the fire department.
5. Inspection And Reports On Fire Hydrants: The chief of the fire department shall annually inspect, or cause to be inspected by members of the fire department, all fire hydrants and list those needing attention in his next report to the town council.
6. Maintenance Of Department Membership List: The chief of the fire department shall maintain in the office of the town clerk-treasurer an accurate list of the members of the fire department and shall report promptly any additions or withdrawals from the membership.
7. Reporting Of Damage To Equipment And Injury Of Members: The chief of the fire department shall report immediately the loss of or damage to equipment and accidents involving members of the fire department in the performance of their duties to the town council. (2002 Code)