(A) The Fire Chief shall be appointed by the City Administrator. Said appointment shall be made from the Chief’s civil service eligibility list.
(2011 Code, § 10.0205)
(B) The Fire Chief shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) General. Perform all duties required of the Fire Chief by law or ordinance;
(2) Enforce laws. Enforce all ordinances and, where enabled, state laws regulating the following:
(a) Fire prevention;
(b) Maintenance and use of fire escapes;
(c) The investigation of the cause, origin and circumstances of fires;
(d) The means and adequacy of exit in case of fires from halls, theaters, churches, hospitals, asylums, lodging houses, schools, factories and all other buildings in which the public congregates for any purpose; and
(e) The installation and maintenance of private fire alarm systems and fire extinguishing equipment.
(3) Command. Be charged with the duty of maintaining the efficiency, discipline and control of the Fire Department. The members of the Fire Department shall, at all times, be subject to the direction of the Fire Chief;
(4) Property. Exercise and have full control over the disposition of all fire apparatus, tools, equipment and other property used by or belonging to the Fire Department;
(5) Investigations. Investigate whenever death, serious bodily injury or property damage in excess of $200,000 has occurred as a result of a fire, or if arson is suspected and shall notify the State Fire Marshal’s Division immediately. The Fire Chief shall file a report with the Fire Marshal’s Division within ten days following the end of the month. The report shall indicate all fire incidents occurring and state the name of the owners and occupants of the property at the time of the fire, the value of the property, the estimated total loss to the property, origin of the fire as determined by investigation and other facts, statistics and circumstances concerning the fire incidents;
(6) Right of entry. Have the right, during reasonable hours to enter any building or premises within the Chief’s jurisdiction for the purpose of making such investigation or inspection which under law or ordinance the Chief may consider necessary to be made and is reasonably necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare;
(7) Recommendation. Make such orders to owners, occupants, caretakers or managers of buildings necessary to eliminate fire hazards;
(8) Assist State Fire Marshal. At the request of the State Fire Marshal and as provided by law, aid said Fire Marshal in the performance of Marshal’s duties by investigating, preventing and reporting data pertaining to fires;
(9) Records. Cause to be kept records of the fire department personnel, fire fighting equipment, depreciation of all equipment and apparatus, the number of response to alarms, their cause and location and an analysis of losses by value, type and location of buildings; and
(10) Reports. Compile and submit to the City Administrator an annual report of the status and activities of the Fire Department as well as such other reports as may be requested by the City Administrator.
(2011 Code, § 10.0208)