There is hereby created and established a fire department in
the city.
(1966 Code, sec. 9-39; 1999 Code,
sec. 31.30)
The members of the fire department shall be a chief of the fire
department, who shall be appointed by the city manager with the advice
and consent of the city commission, and such other officers, firefighters,
and employees as the city commission may from time to time determine.
(1966 Code, sec. 9-40; 1999 Code,
sec. 31.31)
It shall be the duty of the chief of the fire department and
that of his assistants to see that the laws of the state and ordinances,
orders, rules, and regulations as promulgated by the city commission
concerning the fire department and the operation thereof are carried
into full force and effect and to maintain discipline in the department.
(1966 Code, sec. 9-42; 1999 Code,
sec. 31.32)
In the absence of the chief of the fire department, the assistant
chief shall assume the duties of the office of chief of the fire department.
(1966 Code, sec. 9-44; 1999 Code,
sec. 31.33)
Included in the personnel of the fire department shall be such
full- and part-time paid employees as the city commission may direct.
The commission shall establish the hours of employment and the compensation
to be paid for such service rendered.
(1966 Code, sec. 9-43; 1999 Code,
sec. 31.34)
The city commission shall provide each member of the fire department
with a badge descriptive of the office in which he is serving.
(1966 Code, sec. 9-56; 1999 Code,
sec. 31.35)
The chief of the fire department shall diligently observe the
condition of fire apparatus and workings of the department at all
times, and shall report in writing at any time to the city commission
and make such recommendations as he may desire for the efficiency
of the equipment and department.
(1966 Code, sec. 9-45; 1999 Code,
sec. 31.36)
The chief of the fire department shall have power to suspend
any subordinate officers, members, or employees of the department
for a violation of any rules and regulations, and shall, upon executing
any such suspension, forthwith, in writing, advise the city commission
of same and his reasons therefor.
(1966 Code, sec. 9-41; 1999 Code,
sec. 31.37)
It shall be the duty of the chief of the fire department and
his assistants, in their order of rank, whenever a fire shall occur
in the city, to immediately report to the place of such fire and take
proper measures for placing apparatus in the most advantageous position.
The assistant chief and other officers upon arrival at a fire shall
immediately report to the chief; provided that, in the absence of
the chief or assistant chief, the first officer to arrive at the fire
shall be the person in command. When superior officers arrive at a
fire, the officer of the highest rank shall assume sole command of
all other officers or members of the department, and all other persons
who may be present at the fire. Such officer in charge shall take
proper measures for extinguishing the fire and protection of property,
and for preservation of the laws of the state and ordinances and other
rules and regulations of the city respecting fires.
(1966 Code, sec. 9-46; 1999 Code,
sec. 31.38)
The fire department shall have the right, in time of fire, to
place ropes or guards across all streets, thoroughfares, lanes, or
alleys on which shall be situated any building on fire and at such
other points as it may deem expedient and necessary and the members
of the department who have been assigned by the fire chief for policing
purposes shall prevent any and all persons, except officers and members
of the fire department and owners and occupants of such buildings,
endangered by the existing fires, from entering the lines designated
by ropes or guards.
(1966 Code, sec. 9-49; 1999 Code,
sec. 31.39)
Whenever any building in the city is on fire, it shall be lawful
for the fire chief, or his assistant or acting chief, to direct such
building, or other building or fences, which they may deem hazardous
or likely to catch fire and communicate to other buildings, to be
torn down or blown up or otherwise destroyed for the purpose of checking
or otherwise extinguishing such fire, and neither the city commission
or any individual member thereof, nor the chief of the fire department,
assistant chief, or any member of the department, shall in any manner
be held responsible for the damaging of property or the destruction
thereof.
(1966 Code, sec. 9-47; 1999 Code,
sec. 31.40)
It shall be unlawful for any person not a member of the fire
department to forcibly interfere with any member or employee of the
fire department in order to hinder him in the performance of his duties.
(1966 Code, sec. 9-52; 1999 Code,
sec. 31.41)
It shall be unlawful for any person not a member of the fire
department to handle, or in any way interfere with, any of the apparatus
belonging to or used by the fire department, either at a fire or while
traveling to or returning from a fire, or while standing in the fire
department quarters, or at any time, unless such person is requested
to do so by the fire chief or other duly authorized officer of the
department.
(1966 Code, sec. 9-53; 1999 Code,
sec. 31.42)
(a)
There
is hereby established a volunteer fire department in the city which
shall be under the direct control and supervision of the chief of
the fire department.
(b)
The
volunteer fire department shall adopt such bylaws, rules, and regulations
which shall be consistent with the laws of the state and ordinances
of the city, which shall be subject to approval of the city commission.
(1966 Code, secs. 9-54, 9-55; 1999
Code, sec. 31.43)
