(A) There is hereby created a Department of Fire to be headed by a Fire Chief. The Fire Chief shall be appointed by the Mayor subject to the approval of the Council by a vote of at least three-fourths of its members. The Fire Chief, after his appointment and confirmation and subsequent to the creation of the Civil Service Commission pursuant to Section 7.01 of this Charter, shall be removed, suspended or otherwise disciplined by the Mayor for cause as provided in the case of employees in the Classified Civil Service of the Municipality. Until the creation of the Civil Service Commission pursuant to Section 7.01 of this Charter, the Fire Chief shall be removed, suspended or otherwise disciplined by the Mayor subject to the approval of the Council by a vote of at least three-fourths of its members.
(B) The powers, duties and functions of the Fire Chief and the organization of the Department of Fire shall be as provided in this Charter, by the ordinances and resolutions of the Municipality, administrative rules and directives of the Mayor and Fire Chief and the general laws of Ohio, to the extent the general laws are not inconsistent with the Charter, the ordinances and resolutions of the Municipality and the administrative rules and directives of the Mayor and Fire Chief. The Fire Chief shall be under the general supervision and direction of the Mayor.
(C) In addition to, or in lieu of, providing fire protection by its own forces, the Council may authorize and direct the execution of contracts with other units of government or private fire protection agencies to provide additional, emergency or full fire protection services or emergency medical services within the Municipality. The Council may also authorize and direct the execution of contracts whereby the fire forces of the Municipality may provide fire protection services or emergency medical services to areas outside the Municipality.