There shall be a permanent Fire Department (referred to in this
chapter as the "Department") under the control of an officer to be
known as the Chief of the Fire Department, who shall have adequate
knowledge of the organization and administration of a Fire Department
and shall have had experience in the management and direction of Fire
Department equipment and personnel.
The Fire Department shall be responsible for the adequate protection
of life and property from fire, hazardous materials, emergency medical
events, man-made hazards, natural hazards and other hazards normally
within the jurisdiction of a Fire Department, including but not limited
to those powers and duties now and hereafter vested in fire and emergency
medical personnel by this chapter, Rhode Island General Laws or federal
laws.
The Fire Department shall be responsible for coordinating the
Incident Command System at multi-agency-response incidents occurring
within the jurisdiction of the Town of Smithfield. The lead agency
for the Town of Smithfield at a multi-agency-response incident shall
be determined by the Town agency that is the authority having jurisdiction
for the type of incident.
The Chief of the Fire Department shall be appointed by the Town
Manager, at whose pleasure the Chief shall serve.
The line of command within the Fire Department shall descend
in the manner and order prescribed by the Chief of the Department.
The Chief of the Fire Department shall appoint a Deputy Chief
or Chiefs and such officers and firefighters as he may deem necessary
and may dismiss or suspend the same for just cause only and in accordance
with the rules, regulations and procedures of the Fire Department.
The Deputy Chief of the Department shall be responsible to the
Chief of the Department and shall have the direct personal command,
control and supervision over all personnel (both permanent and call
members) when responding to a fire or other disaster or emergency;
he shall be responsible, under the Chief of the Department, for directing
all firefighting and rescue operations and the use of apparatus, equipment,
appliances, devices, tools and the personnel thereof, and enforcing
the discipline among the companies and the rules and regulations of
the Department.
All officers below the rank of Deputy Chief shall perform such
duties as the Chief of the Department and the rules and regulations
shall require of them.
All personnel shall perform such duties as the Chief of the
Department and the rules and regulations shall require of them.