Public property or hydrants erected for the purpose of extinguishing fires are hereby declared to be public hydrants, and no person except members of the Fire Department or waterworks or persons specifically authorized by the Chief of Police, and then only in the exercise of authority delegated by said Chief of Police, shall open any of said hydrants or attempt to draw water from the same, or at any time attempt to uncover or remove any protection from or in any manner interfere with the same. It shall be unlawful for any person authorized to open hydrants to delegate his authority to another or let or suffer another person to take wrenches or tools furnished him, or suffer the same to be taken from any hose house except for any purpose strictly connected with the Fire Department. (1975 Code § 7-1-13)