(A) (1) There is hereby created the office of Chief of the Fire Department, who shall be appointed by the City Manager, for an indefinite term.
(2) Duties of the Fire Chief shall include the following.
(a) The Fire Chief shall have supervision and control of the Fire Department, subject to the state law, the provisions of this section, the City Manager, other ordinances of the city and the City Council. He or she shall diligently perform the duties imposed upon him or her by law, ordinance, the City Manager and the City Council.
(b) The Fire Chief shall be held responsible for the general condition and efficient operation of the Fire Department and the training of members, and may assign duties to other members of the Department.
(c) The Fire Chief shall inspect, or cause to be inspected by members of the Department, the fire hydrants and water supply sources of the city at least twice each year.
(d) The Fire Chief shall maintain a library or file of publications on fire prevention and fire protection and shall make use of it to the best advantage of all members.
(e) The Fire Chief shall see that the citizens are kept informed on fire hazards in the community and on the activities of the department.
(f) The Fire Chief shall make every effort to attend all fires and direct and have complete charge of the officers and members of the Fire Department in the performance of their duties.
(g) The Fire Chief shall ensure that the City Manager and the City Council, as well as the municipality’s citizens are kept informed on fire hazards in the community and on the activities of the Fire Department.
(h) The Fire Chief shall see that each fire is carefully investigated to determine its cause and, in the case of incendiarism, shall notify proper authorities and secure and preserve all possible evidence for future use in the case of suspicious incendiarism.
(i) The Fire Chief shall see that complete records are kept of all fires, inspections, apparatus, equipment, personnel and other information about the work of the Fire Department.
(B) (1) The Assistant Chief of the Fire Department shall be appointed by the City Manager.
(2) The Assistant Chief of the Fire Department shall be a full-time firefighter.
(3) The City Manager is not required to fill this position and shall have sole discretion as to whether or not it is filled at any particular time.
(4) In the absence of the Fire Chief, the Assistant Chief shall command the Fire Department and be held responsible therefore in all aspects, with the full powers and responsibilities of the Fire Chief.
(C) The officers of the Fire Department shall be selected upon their ability to lead men and women and their knowledge of firefighting equipment.
(2002 Code, § 32.21) (Ord. 487, passed 4-14-2003)