There shall be a fire department, the head of which shall be the fire chief who shall have adequate knowledge of the organization and administration of a fire department and shall have had experience in the management and direction of fire department equipment and personnel. He shall be appointed by the mayor to serve at the pleasure of the mayor.

All members of the fire department shall be and remain legal residents of the Town of Johnston for at least one year prior to their appointment with the exception of the fire chief, who shall become a resident of the town within one hundred and twenty days after his appointment.

The mayor is hereby empowered to formulate and to recommend to the town council such ordinances as will establish a fire department either on a volunteer, call, permanent or any other basis, paid or unpaid, as he shall deem practicable from time to time within the economic structure of the town.

Sec. 12-2 Powers and duties.

(1)

The fire department shall be responsible for the protection of life and property within the town from fire and for the enforcement of all laws, ordinances and regulations relating to fire prevention, fire extinguishment and safety from fire.

(2)

The fire chief shall, subject to the approval of the mayor, make rules and regulations in conformity with laws and ordinances concerning the operation of the department and the conduct of all officers and employees thereof. He shall be responsible for the care and custody of all property used by the department.

(3)

The fire chief shall cooperate with the state fire marshal and his deputy in the town in enforcing the laws of the state in regard to:

(a)

The prevention of fire;

(b)

The suppression of arson and investigation of the cause and origin of fires and the circumstances surrounding the same.