(a) It is the duty of the Bureau of Fire Prevention to enforce the Fire Prevention Code adopted in Section 1501.01 and all laws and ordinances of the State of Ohio and the City of Oberlin relating to fire hazards, fire prevention, fire protection, and fire investigation.
(b) Individuals holding the title of Fire Investigator shall complete any and all training required by law pursuant to Ohio R.C. 737.27, as may be amended. The individuals assigned the duties of Fire Investigator shall be chosen by the Fire Chief according to criteria recommended by the State of Ohio.
(c) Fire Investigators shall perform all of the duties and requirements as established by Ohio R.C. 737.27, to wit: to be present at all fires; investigate the cause of all fires; examine witnesses or suspects; administer oaths; compel the presence of witnesses, books, papers, or other documents of relevant importance; and, to do and perform all other acts necessary to carry out the effective discharge of the Fire Investigator’s duties.
(d) Fire Investigators shall have the power to make arrests as is relevant to any fire or explosion being investigated by the Fire Investigator; shall have the right to bear a firearm for the limited and sole purpose of the fire investigation; and enter any building, residence, dwelling or structure which, in the Fire Investigators’ opinion, is in danger from fire or explosion. Fire Investigators shall notify all other authorities designated by law to pursue investigations into such matters and cooperate in the collection of evidence and the prosecution of any resulting criminal charges.
(Ord. 03-99AC. Passed 12-1-03.)
(e) Fire investigators may administer an oath to any person appearing as a witness before them. No witness shall refuse to be sworn, refuse to testify, disobey an order of a Fire Investigator, or fail or refuse to produce a book, paper, document, or record, regardless of physical form or characteristics, concerning a matter under examination after being summoned by a Fire Investigator to appear before them to give testimony in relation to a matter or subject under investigation. Any such failure or refusal shall be deemed contemptuous conduct.
(Ord. 05-22AC. Passed 5-2-05.)
(f) The Bureau shall perform such other duties as are herein required, and as may be assigned by the Fire Chief. (Ord. 03-99 AC. Passed 12-1-03; Ord. 05-22AC. Passed 5-2-05.)