The Municipal Fire Chief shall be elected by the members of the Fire Department. He or she shall enforce all laws and ordinances covering the prevention of fires; the storage and use of explosives and flammable substances; the installation of fire alarm systems; the maintenance of fire extinguishing equipment; the regulation of fire escapes; and the inspection of all premises requiring adequate fire escapes. He or she shall within two days investigate the cause, origin, and circumstances of fires arising within his or her jurisdiction. He or she shall, on or before the first day in April and October of each year, cause the Secretary to file with the Village Clerk and the Clerk of the District Court a certified copy of the rolls of all members in good standing in their respective companies in order to obtain the exemptions provided by law. He shall have the power during the time of a fire and for a period of 36 hours thereafter to arrest any suspected arsonist or any person for hindering the Department's efforts, conducting himself or herself in a noisy and disorderly manner, or any person who refuses to obey any lawful order by the Fire Chief or Assistant Fire Chief. The Fire Chief or an assistant in charge of operations at a fire may command the services of any person present at any fire in extinguishing the same or in the removal and protection of property. Failure to obey such an order shall be an offense punishable by a fine. The Fire Chief shall have the right to enter at all reasonable hours into buildings and upon all premises within his or her jurisdiction for the purpose of examining the same for fire hazards and related dangers.
Statutory reference:
Authority to enforce ordinances by imposing fine, see Neb. RS 17-505
Disobeying lawful orders of firefighter, see Neb. RS 28-908
Membership rolls and filings, see Neb. RS 35-102
Investigations and reports required, see Neb. RS 81-506
Authority to conduct inspections, see Neb. RS 81-512