Specific duties and responsibilities of the Fire Chief include the following.
(A) Keep records and submit reports.
(1) The Chief of the Fire Department shall keep or shall cause to be kept an accurate record of all fires occurring in the town.
(2) The Chief shall submit an annual budget and all other reports as may be required by the Board of Commissioners.
(3) The Chief shall keep such records and submit such reports as may be required by the state.
(B) Take charge in fire fighting. Whenever a fire shall occur in the town, it shall be the duty of the Chief of the Fire Department to report immediately to the place of the fire and to take active charge of the fighting thereof.
(C) Dispatch personnel and equipment.
(1) The Chief and/or Assistant Chief shall have the responsibility of dispatching fire fighting equipment and personnel.
(2) Provided, however, this function may be performed by the Fire Commissioner, Mayor, or Town Clerk in the absence of the Chief and Assistance Chief.
(D) Train and supervise firefighters. The Chief has the responsibility for training and supervising Fire Department members.
(E) Supervise upkeep of equipment. The Chief is responsible for the supervision of maintenance and upkeep of fire fighting equipment.
(F) Investigate fires.
(1) Immediately after the occurrence of any fire, the Chief of the Fire Department shall investigate or shall cause to be investigated the cause, origin, and circumstances thereof; and, as far as possible, shall determine whether such fire is the result of accident, carelessness, or design.
(2) If he or she has reason to believe that such fire is of suspicious origin, he or she shall notify the proper authorities designated by law to pursue the investigation of such matters, and shall further cooperate with the authorities in the collection of evidence and in the prosecution of the case when properly instituted.
(G) Inspect hazards, structures, and appliances.
(1) It shall be the duty of the Chief of the Fire Department, or such other person as may be designated by the Board, to inspect or to cause to be inspected as often as may be necessary, but not less than twice a year, all specially hazardous manufacturing processes; storage or installation of acetylene or other gases; chemicals, oils, explosives, and inflammable materials; all interior fire alarms and automatic sprinkler systems; and such other hazards or appliances as may be necessary for the enforcement of applicable sections of this code, law, and ordinances and for the safeguarding of life and property from fire.
(2) It shall also be the duty of the Chief of the Fire Department, or such other person as may be designated by the Board, to inspect or cause to be inspected as often as may be necessary, but not less than once a year in outlying districts and twice a year in the closely built portions of the town, all buildings and premises, except the interiors of private dwellings, for the purpose of ascertaining and causing to be corrected any conditions liable to cause fire or any violation of the provisions or intent of any applicable section of this code, state law, or ordinance of the town affecting the fire hazard.
(H) Inspect hazards upon complaint. Whenever any person shall make written complaint to the Chief of the Fire Department that any business or premises constitutes a fire hazard, it shall be the duty of the Chief to have the same inspected immediately.
(I) Perform other duties not enumerated. The Chief shall perform any duties not specifically stated above which are required by the general statutes.
(2003 Code, § 8-301)