(a) The Fire Chief may, in their discretion, serve as, or designate and appoint a firefighter as a Fire Investigation Officer with the power to investigate any fire within the City to determine its cause, to examine witnesses, compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books and papers, and to do and perform all other acts necessary to the effective discharge of such duties.
Such officers may administer oaths, make arrests, and enter, for the purpose of examination, any building which, in their opinion, is in danger from fire, all as authorized by Ohio R.C. 737.27.
(b) The Fire Chief and/or the Fire Investigation Officer shall report their proceedings to City Council at such times as are required by Council. Further cooperation between the Fire Investigation Officer and all other investigating officers shall be maintained to the extent possible under the circumstances of the situation.
(c) The designation "Fire Investigation Officer" is one which does not give a grade or rank promotion to the firefighter so designated, and does not increase or otherwise change the rate of pay of any firefighter so designated.
While law enforcement training in the areas of investigation and arrest is a factor which may be considered by the Fire Chief in determining the designee, it is not a prerequisite to such designation. (Ord. 23-15. Passed 3-6-23.)