The chief of fire department—His powers, duties and compensation.
Section 28
SEC. 28. The chief of fire department—His powers, duties and compensation.—There shall be a chief of a fire department who shall have charge of said department. He shall receive a salary in accordance with existing laws. The chief of police shall act as ex-officio chief of the fire department, until the City Council, by ordinance, provides otherwise at which time the chief of the fire department, shall be appointed as heretofore provided. He shall have the following general powers and duties: (a) He may issue supplementary regulations not incompatible with law or general regulations issued by the proper department head of the National Government in accordance with law, for the governance of the fire force. (b) He shall have charge of the fire-engine houses, fire engines, hose trucks, hooks and ladders, trucks and all other fire apparatus. (c) He shall have full police powers in the vicinity of fires. (d) He shall have authority to remove or demolish any building or other property whenever it shall become necessary to prevent the spreading of fire or to protect adjacent property. (e) He shall investigate and report to the Mayor upon the origin and cause of fires occurring within the city. (f) He shall inspect all buildings erected or under construction or repair within the city and determine whether they provide sufficient protection against fire and comply with the ordinances relating thereto. (g) He shall have charge of the city fire alarm service. (h) He shall supervise and regulate the stringing, grounding, and installation of wires for all electrical connections, with a view to avoiding conflagrations, interference, with public traffic or safety, or the necessary operation of the fire department. (i) He shall supervise the manufacture, storage, and use of petroleum, gas, acetylene, gunpowder, and other highly combustible matters and explosives. (j) He shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.