Township of Bloomfield, NJ Fire Chief

The Chief of the Fire Department shall:

Be the executive head of the Fire Department charged with the policy-making, planning, management and administration of the Department and all personnel therein.

The Fire Chief shall:

(1)

Have charge of the personnel of the Fire Department, the extinguishment of fires, the necessary protection of property in connection therewith, the making of inspections for fire prevention and safety of life and property and the keeping of accurate records of all business transacted by the Department and of all fires occurring in the Township or on mutual aid calls, together with all pertinent data in connection therewith.

(2)

Have full control of all apparatus, equipment and tools and their assignment and use.

(3)

Recommend to the governing body, from time to time, the purchase of new equipment or the repair or reengagement of old equipment which will increase the efficiency of the equipment.

(4)

Keep an exact record of all property belonging to the Fire Department, showing the date acquired and cost of each item, and they shall check this record by physical inventory of the property at least once each year.

(5)

See that the morale and efficiency of the Department is kept at the highest point, that the fire stations and other quarters are being properly maintained and kept clean and in good repair, that all apparatus, equipment and supplies are properly cared for and maintained in proper working condition, that all drills, exercises and inspections are regularly and properly performed, that all records and reports are duly kept and that all uniforms and equipment of the staff are complete, neat and serviceable and of approved design.

(6)

See that each piece of apparatus and equipment in the Department is given a full operating test at least once each year and that a record is made of each test and kept on Department file.

(7)

See that there is at all times in the Department sufficient extra hose in good, usable condition.

(8)

See that all hose purchased for use by the Fire Department is given a 300-pound test before it is accepted and that it is tested to 250 pounds at least once each year during use to determine its serviceability.

(9)

Assign to every member of the Fire Department a designation by number which shall be recorded at headquarters. They shall keep a record of all appointments, resignations, dismissals and deaths of firefighters as they take place.

(10)

See that all members of the Department undergo regular drills and instruction and that a system of such drills and a school of instruction are established and a proper record kept thereof.

(11)

Have the power, in case of fire, to demolish buildings or parts of buildings which, in their judgment, are necessary to be destroyed in order to prevent further damage to life and property.

(12)

Have authority to send staff and apparatus to neighboring municipalities for the purpose of extinguishing fires or protecting property left unprotected by emergency when, in their judgment, such action is necessary. They shall also have power to call upon neighboring municipalities to assist in the extinguishing of fires and to cover up unprotected territory whenever, in their judgment, it shall be necessary.

(13)

Promptly report to the Township Administrator the name of any member of the Department who, by reason of age, disease, accident or other disability, does not or cannot fully, promptly and properly perform full duty in the Department, together with a detailed statement setting forth the facts in the case.

(14)

See that all the laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, orders or directives for the governing of the Department are promptly and implicitly enforced and obeyed by all members of the Fire Department and that all violations that may come to the Fire Chief's knowledge are promptly investigated.

(15)

Summarily suspend from duty, with or without pay, any member of the Department for a flagrant violation of law, ordinance, rule, regulation or direction in all cases where the discipline or the reputation of the Department would suffer if such prompt action were not taken.

(16)

Have supreme command at all fires and at all times when on duty over the members of the Department.

(17)

Make all assignments, transfers and details and fill any temporary vacancy that may occur by detailing another member of the Department to the position.

(18)

Review and recommend for approval all bills for expenses of the Department.

(19)

Make an annual report to the Township Administrator before February 1 of each year, giving an inventory of all property of the Department, the number and location of fires during the previous year, the amount of losses incurred and the amount covered by insurance and such other information and recommendations as may be appropriate.