2.50.090 Fire chief – Duties.
The fire chief shall have the following powers and duties:
Statutory reference note: Iowa Code, Section 372.13(4).
(1) General. He shall perform all duties required of the fire chief by law or ordinance.
(2) Enforce Laws. He shall enforce all ordinances and, where enabled, state laws regulating the following:
(a) Fire prevention.
(b) Maintenance and use of fire escapes.
(c) The investigation of the cause, origin and circumstances of fires.
(d) The means and adequacy of exits in case of fire from halls, theatres, churches, hospitals, asylums, lodging houses, schools, factories and all other buildings in which the public congregates for any purpose.
(e) The installation and maintenance of private fire alarm systems and fire extinguishing equipment.
(3) Command. He shall be charged with the duty of maintaining the efficiency, discipline and control of the fire department. The members of the fire department shall, at all times, be subject to the direction of the fire chief.
(4) Property. He shall exercise and have full control over the disposition of all fire apparatus, tools, equipment and other property used by or belonging to the fire department.
(5) Investigations. He shall investigate the cause, origin and circumstances of each fire by which property has been destroyed or damaged or which results in bodily injury to any person. Whenever he finds that bodily injury or property damage of $50.00 or more was caused by such fire, or if he suspects arson, he shall report his findings to the state fire marshal in writing within one week after the fire. If he believes that a fire was started by design or if a death occurs as the result of a fire, he shall notify the state fire marshal immediately.
(6) Right of Entry. He shall have the right of entry into any building or premises within his jurisdiction at a reasonable time and after reasonable notice to the occupant or owner. He shall there conduct such investigation or inspection that he considers necessary in light of state law, regulation or ordinance.
Statutory reference note: Iowa Code, Section 100.12.
(7) Recommendation. He shall make such recommendations to owners, occupants, caretakers or managers of buildings necessary to eliminate fire hazards.
Statutory reference note: Iowa Code, Section 100.13.
(8) Assist State Fire Marshal. He shall, at the request of the state fire marshal, and as provided by law, aid said marshal in the performance of his duties by investigating, preventing and reporting data pertaining to fires.
(9) Records. He shall cause to be kept records of the fire department personnel, operating cost and efficiency of each element of fire fighting equipment, depreciation of all equipment and apparatus, the number of responses to alarms, their cause and location, and an analysis of losses by value, type and location of buildings.
(10) Reports. He shall compile and submit to the mayor and council an annual report of the status and activities of the department as well as such other reports as may be requested by the mayor or council. [Code 1975 § 2.2-1.09.]