The commissioner of fire shall be the head of the department of fire.
The commissioner of fire shall be appointed by the mayor, subject to confirmation by the council, and shall be removable at the pleasure of the mayor. On the removal without cause of a commissioner of fire, who at the time of his or her appointment as commissioner of fire was a member of the department of fire, he or she shall be restored at his or her request to the rank and duty held at the time of appointment. In the event of the death of the commissioner of fire, or a vacancy in that office for any other cause whatsoever, the mayor shall appoint a commissioner of fire to serve for a period not to exceed one hundred and eighty days, which temporary appointment shall not be subject to confirmation by the council.
The commissioner of fire shall have either (a) a degree from an accredited college or university and at least five years experience in fire prevention, fighting or investigation; or (b) an equivalent of training and experience sufficient to indicate ability to perform the duties of this position.
[Amended 6-19-2003 by L.L. No. 10-2003,[1] effective 6-26-2003; 11-16-2004 by L.L. No. 9-2004, effective 11-24-2004]
There shall be three deputy commissioners of fire in the exempt class of the civil service, with power to act generally for and in place of the commissioner of fire, who shall be appointed and removed at the pleasure of the commissioner of fire and shall perform such other and additional duties as may, from time to time, be assigned to them by the commissioner of fire. On the removal, as hereinbefore provided, of a deputy commissioner of fire, who, at the time of appointment as a deputy commissioner of fire was a member of the department of fire, he or she shall, before such removal becomes effective, be restored at his or her request to the rank and duty held at the time of appointment.
[1]
Editor's Note: Section 3 of this local law provided that it would take effective 7-1-2003.
The department of fire shall be charged with the power and duty of preventing and extinguishing fires, investigating the causes of fire and enforcing the laws of the state and the laws and ordinances of the city enacted to prevent fires as well as responding to public emergencies and natural disasters.
The commissioner of fire shall be charged with the power and duty of governing and disciplining the department and the members of the fire department and all subordinates and employees of the department, and to that end may, from time to time, make and enforce orders, rules and regulations not inconsistent with this act or any general law, which orders, rules or regulations shall have the same force and effect as if herein specially enacted. Existing rules and regulations shall continue until changed.
Firefighters shall not wear uniforms except while on actual duty or in going to or returning from their tour of duty. The commissioner of fire may also authorize the wearing of the department uniform for ceremonial purposes or limited special circumstances.
Members of the department designated in the orders, rules and regulations of the commissioner and under the circumstances and in the manner therein provided may at all reasonable times enter the examine any building or premises in the performance of their duty.
Members of the department may arrest or orally direct the arrest of any person creating disorder or interfering with the performance of their duty at a fire.
[Amended 1-10-2006 by L.L. No. 8-2006, effective 2-8-2006]
The commissioner, any deputy commissioner or any battalion chief or division chief on duty during or after a fire emergency or fire related emergency may direct and cause to be torn down, or otherwise destroyed any burning building or any other buildings which he or she deems hazardous to the public and likely to take fire or to convey the fire to other buildings.
The number of fire companies and the location thereof, consisting of twenty-three engine companies and twelve hook and ladder companies (not including the fire boat), shall be established, with power in the commissioner of fire, with the approval of the common council, to add to or diminish the number thereof or relocate said companies by order, rule or regulation.
No member of the department shall circulate subscription papers, sell tickets or collect money or solicit donations, prizes or gifts for charitable or any other purposes, except as permitted by ordinance. Any such member who shall violate any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to dismissal.