§ 32.115 FIRE CHIEF; OBSTRUCTING OPERATIONS OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.

   (A)   Appointment of Fire Chief; general powers and duties. The City Commission shall appoint the Chief of the Fire Department, who shall be the supervisor of all work in the Fire Department. In all fire emergency situations, the Chief shall be under the direction of and report to the Mayor or his or her designee. The Fire Department and officers and employees thereof shall be under the charge, control and direction of the Fire Chief, subject to such rules, regulations and orders as may be prescribed by the Civil Service Commission and the city.

   (B)   Authority of Fire Chief at scene of emergency. The Fire Chief or his or her authorized representative shall be in charge at the scene of a fire or other emergency under the purview of the Fire Department involving the protection of life or property or any part thereof and shall have the power and authority to direct such operation as may be necessary to extinguish or control any fire, explosion or like emergency, perform any rescue operation, administer pre-hospital emergency medical care until arrival of emergency medical services as directed and authorized by adopted medical protocols, investigate the existence of suspected or reported fires, gas leaks or other hazardous conditions or situations, or take any other action necessary in the reasonable performance of his or her duty. In the exercise of such power, the Fire Chief may prohibit, without use of force, any person, vehicle, vessel or object from approaching the scene and may remove or cause to be removed or keep away from the scene any vehicle, vessel or object which may impede or interfere with the operation of the Fire Department, and any person not actually and usefully employed in the mitigation of such emergency, or in the preservation of life or property in the vicinity thereof.

   (C)   Obstructing operations of Fire Department. Any person who obstructs the operations of the Fire Department in connection with extinguishing any fire or other emergency, or disobeys any lawful command of the Fire Chief, Fire Marshal or officer of the Fire Department who may be in charge at such a scene or any part thereof or any police officer assisting the Fire Department, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

   (D)   Continuation of position of Fire Marshal. This section does not repeal the ordinance creating the Fire Marshal and the duties and responsibilities outlined in §§ 32.135 through 32.146 of this chapter.

(1998 Code, § 54-1) (Ord. 00-74, passed 11-1-2000)