[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Board of the Village of Salem Lakes at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II). Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter is adopted pursuant to authority granted by §§ 61.34, 61.65 and 62.13, Wis. Stats.
The purpose of this chapter is to create a Fire/Rescue Department in the Village and to repeal conflicting ordinances relating to Village fire and rescue services.
The provisions of this chapter shall be interpreted to be minimum requirements and shall be liberally construed in favor of the Village. Headings provided in this chapter are for convenience and ease of reference; they shall not be interpreted to limit the applicability, purpose, effect or meaning of any of the provisions of this chapter.
All prior ordinances or sections thereof relating to the establishment or operation of a Fire Department or Rescue Department or Rescue Squad in the Village of Salem Lakes which conflict with the provisions of this chapter are hereby repealed.
There is hereby established a combined paid and volunteer Fire/Rescue Department within the Village.
The position of Fire Chief within the Village is hereby created to supervise, coordinate, and plan the ongoing staffing, equipping, housing, training and financing of the fire and rescue resources in the Village. The Fire Chief shall be appointed by the Fire Commission. The most senior battalion chief of the Fire/Rescue Department shall do and perform the duties of the Fire Chief whenever the Fire Chief shall be absent or incapacitated.
The Fire Chief shall have the following authority and duties:
A. 
The Fire Chief shall have the police powers set forth in § 213.095, Wis. Stats.
B. 
The Fire Chief shall have the authority to order the removal or destruction of property, real or personal, when in the discretion of the Fire Chief such removal or destruction is required to preserve the property from damage, to prevent the spread of fire, to prevent damage to adjoining properties or to prevent injury to firefighters or other persons in the vicinity of a fire.
C. 
The Fire Chief, in the exercise of his sole discretion, shall have the authority within the Village to determine the manner in which Fire/Rescue Department equipment and apparatus will be utilized and housed; provided, however, that the Village President may direct the use of equipment or apparatus if he has formally declared a state of emergency in compliance with applicable Village policies and procedures.