§ 16-22. Duties and powers of the fire chief.

(a)

The fire chief shall:

(1)

Do all that is necessary to prevent fires and to fight fires whenever it occurs in the village, including all things incidental to such duties.

(2)

Organize and maintain a voluntary firefighting organization for the village and prescribe the rules and regulations under which it shall operate.

(3)

Recommend rules and regulations to govern the department and be responsible to the mayor for the personnel, morale, and general efficiency of the department.

(4)

Determine the number and kind of companies of which the department is to be composed and shall determine the response of these companies to alarms.

(5)

At least once a month conduct suitable drills or instruction in the operation and handling of equipment, first aid and rescue work, salvage, a study of buildings in the village, fire prevention, water supplies, and all other matters generally considered essential to good firemanship and safety of life and property from fire.

(6)

Assist the proper authorities in suppressing the crime of arson by investigating or causing to be investigated the cause, origin, and circumstances of all fires.

(7)

See that complete records are kept of all fires, inspections, apparatus and minor equipment, personnel, and other information about the work of the department.

(8)

Report monthly to the mayor on:

a.

The condition of the apparatus and equipment;

b.

The number of fires during the month, their location and cause, and date of same and loss occasioned thereby;

c.

The number and purpose of all other runs made; and

d.

The number of volunteers responding to each fire or other run; and any changes in membership of the department.

(9)

Make a complete annual report to the mayor and the board within one month after the close of the fiscal year which includes the information specified in subsection (9) of this section, together with comparative data for previous years and recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the department.

(b)

The chief may enter any and all buildings and premises at any reasonable hour for the purpose of making inspections and to serve written notice upon the owner or occupant to abate, within a specified time, any and all fire hazards that may be found. Any person so served with a notice to abate any fire hazard or hazards shall comply therewith and promptly notify the chief.

(Code 2004, § 9.4)