(a) It shall be the duty of the members of the Fire Prevention Bureau to enforce all laws and ordinances covering the following:
(1) The Ohio Fire Code;
(2) The prevention of fire;
(3) The storage of explosives and flammables;
(4) The installation and maintenance of automatic and other private fire alarm systems and fire extinguishing equipment;
(5) The maintenance and regulation of fire escapes;
(6) The means and adequacy of egress in case of fire, from factories, schools, hotels, lodging houses, asylums, hospitals, churches, halls, theaters and all other places in which numbers of persons work, live, or congregate;
(7) Fire safety at events within the City limits and fireworks displays;
(8) The investigation of the cause, origin and circumstance of fires in accordance with Ohio R.C. 737.27 Investigation of Fires.
(b) Pursuant to the authority provided in Ohio R.C. 737.27, the Fire Chief is hereby authorized to assign members of the Fire Prevention Bureau as arson investigators, who shall have the authority, power, and duty to investigate all fires, examine witnesses, compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books and papers, and to do and perform all other acts necessary to the effective discharge of such duties. Such officer may administer oaths, make arrests, and enter, for the purpose of examination, any building which, in his opinion, is in danger from fire.
(c) Qualified arson investigators appointed pursuant to this section shall be empowered to carry a firearm which may be used for the purpose of self defense. Arson investigators shall obtain training in police investigation and arrest techniques, use of force for self defense purposes, and firearms training as established by the Fire Chief and the Safety Director in consultation with the Police Chief. (Ord. 110-2011. Passed 9-19-11.)