(A) The provisions of this subchapter shall be administered and enforced by the Chief of the Fire Department.
(B) The Chief of the Fire Department shall be the commanding officer of the Fire Department and shall be responsible to the City Manager for its proper management. The property of the Fire Department shall be in his or her care, and for its safety and proper assignment, he or she shall be directly responsible to the City Manager.
(C) It shall be the duty of the Chief to see that all departmental rules, regulations and orders are promptly and faithfully respected and obeyed, and whenever any violation thereof is reported to him or her or comes under his or her personal observation, he or she shall promptly investigate the matter and report it to the City Manager.
(D) The Chief is authorized to summarily suspend from duty any member of the Fire Department for misconduct or disobedience, but shall immediately report the suspension, together with all the facts in the case, to the City Manager for his or her consideration and action.
(E) The Chief shall prescribe the order in which units shall respond to alarms. The Chief or his or her designated delegate shall assume command, taking every precaution for the protection of life and property.
(F) The Chief shall have the authority at all times, day or night, in the performance of the duties imposed by this chapter or elsewhere in this code or any other ordinance of the city, to enter upon and examine any building or premises where a fire has occurred and other buildings or premises adjoining or near thereto.
(G) The Chief of the Fire Department shall make a monthly report of the department operations to the City Manager. He or she shall visit each department station as often as practicable and see that the quarters are kept in good order and well cared for.
(H) The Chief shall render a report through the City Manager to the City Council annually, showing the condition of the fighting equipment and that the fire hydrants have been properly inspected and tested as to serviceability for fire use, together with any recommendations that may better provide for fire protection.
(I) It shall be the duty of the Chief of the Fire Department or his or her designee, to inspect semi-annually all premises within the Fire District, and all other premises in accordance with North Carolina Fire Code.
(2009 Code, § 32.063) (Ord. passed 7-27-1993)