(A) There is hereby created a Department of Fire to be headed by a Fire Chief. The Fire Chief shall be appointed by the Mayor subject to the approval of the Council by a vote of at least a majority of its members. The Fire Chief shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and the Council and may be removed without cause by the Mayor with the approval of the Council by a vote of at least a majority of its members; or the Fire Chief may be removed without cause by the Council, by a vote of at least two-thirds of its members, without the consent of the Mayor.
(B) The powers, duties and functions of the Fire Chief and the organization of the Department of Fire shall be as provided in this Charter, by the ordinances and resolutions of the Municipality and the general laws of Ohio, to the extent the general laws are not inconsistent with the Charter or the ordinances and resolutions of the Municipality. The Fire Chief shall be under the general supervision and direction of the Mayor.
(C) In addition to, or in lieu of, providing fire protection by its own forces, the Council may authorize and direct the execution of contracts with other units of government or private fire protection agencies to provide additional, emergency or full fire protection services or emergency medical services within the Municipality. The Council may also authorize and direct the execution of contracts whereby the fire forces of the Municipality may provide fire protection service or emergency medical services to areas outside the Municipality.