The fire department of the city shall consist of a fire chief, one or more assistant engineers, and such men and organized fire companies as may be necessary to manage the fire engines, hose carts, hooks and ladders and other fire apparatus as may be from time to time selected under the authority of the city council.
(1975 Code, sec. 14-72; 2004 Code, sec. 5.401)
Included in the personnel of the volunteer fire department are such full-time employees or part-time paid employees as the city council may direct from time to time. The hours of employment of the paid members of the fire department and the compensation to be paid such paid members shall be fixed by the council and subject to further orders of the council.
(1975 Code, sec. 14-73; 2004 Code, sec. 5.402)
The chief of the fire department shall be elected annually by the members of the fire department.
(1975 Code, sec. 14-74; 2004 Code, sec. 5.403)
The fire chief may appoint one (1), two (2) or three (3) assistant chiefs from the membership of the department with their ranking, but such appointments shall first be confirmed by the city council.
(1975 Code, sec. 14-75; 2004 Code, sec. 5.404)
All members of the volunteer fire department shall perform such duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the orders of the city council, as executed by the chief of the fire department.
(1975 Code, sec. 14-76; 2004 Code, sec. 5.405)
It shall be the duty of the fire chief to report to the city council at least twice each year the condition of all the fire apparatus of the fire department, together with his recommendations concerning the same, and perform all other duties assigned him by the ordinances of the city.
(1975 Code, sec. 14-77; 2004 Code, sec. 5.406)
The fire chief, or in his absence the assistant chief next in rank, shall in all cases of fire have the sole control over all the other members of the fire department. He shall also have the right and power to order any police officer to arrest any person who, at any such fire, refuses to obey his orders in extinguishing such fire, or the removal and protection of property, or for any other just cause, and any person so arrested shall be subject to fine and penalty.
(1975 Code, sec. 14-78; 2004 Code, sec. 5.407)
All fire trucks owned by the city, together with all other firefighting equipment and apparatus, shall be housed in buildings to be furnished by the city council, and shall be used only under the supervision of the city fire department and under such orders and regulations as the city council may from time to time prescribe. The same rule shall apply to the matter of maintenance and repairing of such trucks and other firefighting equipment.
(1975 Code, sec. 14-79; 2004 Code, sec. 5.408)
No person shall interfere with, injure or destroy any fire hose, hose carts, ladders, hooks, axes or other property belonging to the city and used for fire purposes, except a member of the fire department of the city and then only in case of fire; provided, however, nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent any person from lending assistance to such department in case of fire. No person shall loiter about any hose house.
(1975 Code, sec. 14-80; 2004 Code, sec. 5.409)
The fire chief shall make such rules and regulations as he may deem necessary for the organization, administration and operation of the fire department. Such rules and regulations shall be subject to the approval of the city council and on file in the office of the city auditor.
(1975 Code, sec. 14-81; 2004 Code, sec. 5.410)
The city council shall have the power to fine, suspend or expel any member of the fire department at the request of the fire chief, or on evidence produced before such body.
(1975 Code, sec. 14-82; 2004 Code, sec. 5.411)