[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Watertown
as § 5.03 of the former City Code. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
[Amended by Ord. No. 74-63[1]]
The Fire Department of the City shall consist of the Chief,
Assistant Chiefs, Lieutenants, paid members and paid part-time members
as shall be provided for and appointed.
[Amended by Ord. No. 90-25]
All appointments of paid members to the Department shall be
made according to § 62.13, Wis. Stats. Auxiliary members
shall be appointed pursuant to the rules adopted by the Department.
All civilian appointments (non-sworn officers) shall be made per the
personnel policies of the City.
A.
The Chief of the Fire Department shall have command of fires and
alarms of fire over all members and employees of the Fire Department
and all apparatus and property belonging to the same and shall direct
all measures he may deem proper for the extinguishment of fire, protection
of property, preservation of order and observance of the laws and
ordinances and regulations respecting fires. He shall examine the
engines, hook and ladder trucks, hose carriages and all other property
belonging to the Fire Department once in each month, and as often
as circumstances may render it expedient, and cause them to be kept
in good order and in every respect ready for use.
B.
He shall purchase all general supplies and order minor repairs when
approved by the Mayor.
C.
He shall inspect all business buildings in said City for the purpose
of determining the general character of the premises with respect
to the disposition of debris, rubbish, wastepaper, rags, oils, waste,
explosives and all kinds of inflammable materials, and may inspect
any building in the City for the purpose of ascertaining if any danger
from fire exists by reason of defective chimneys, flues, stoves, ovens,
boilers, electric wiring, ash houses and receptacles, or by reason
of any other cause, and if any hazards are found, he shall order the
same removed.
D.
He shall instruct and drill all members of the Department periodically
in the use of apparatus and equipment, fire-prevention and firefighting
methods, state laws and ordinances and inspection of buildings. He
shall instruct all members as to conditions in the waterworks system,
its possibilities, location and sizes of water mains, fire hydrants
and other water supplies, and such other business in the line of duty.
In this connection he shall cause to be safely and neatly filed publications,
maps, etc., on fire prevention and protection and such other educational
literature provided the Department and to make use of it to the best
advantage of all members.
E.
He may in his judgment suspend members from duty and shall immediately
report in writing such action to the Police and Fire Commission. Section
62.13(5), Wis. Stats., shall thereafter govern as to paid members.
F.
He shall report in writing to the Police and Fire Commission any
officer or member of the Department who by reason of age, disease,
accident or other incompetence does not properly perform his duty.
G.
The Chief shall have sole and absolute control and command over all
persons connected with the Fire Department and shall possess full
power and authority over its organization, government and discipline.
H.
The Chief shall have custody, subject to the direction of the Mayor,
of all property and equipment belonging to the Fire Department.
I.
The Chief or his assistant shall inquire into the cause of all fires
in the City as soon after they occur as possible and keep a correct
record of the same in each case at his office.
J.
The Chief of the Fire Department shall make suitable regulations
under which the officers and members of the Department will be required
to wear some appropriate uniform or badge.
K.
The Chief shall promulgate rules and regulations governing all members
of the Department.
The Chief shall submit a quarterly and an annual report to the
Mayor and Common Council regarding the operation of his Department.
[Added by Ord. No. 90-26; amended by Ord. No.
97-21]
The Fire Chief shall be the chief executive officer of the Fire
Department under the direction and control of the Mayor and Common
Council. The personnel of the Fire Department shall be under the immediate
supervision, direction and control of the Fire Chief. The Fire Chief
shall be a member of the Wisconsin and International Fire Chiefs Associations.
The City shall pay the annual dues for the Fire Chief's membership
and his expenses while attending any official meetings thereof.
An Assistant Chief shall be in command of his or her assigned
platoon. He/she shall have the responsibility and control of the apparatus
and personnel assigned to his or her platoon. An Administrative Assistant
Chief shall be in charge of the training program, nonemergency operations
of the Fire Department and administrative duties of the Fire Department
as assigned, from time to time, by the Fire Chief. In the absence
of the Fire Chief, the Fire Chief shall appoint an Assistant Chief
as Acting Chief of the Fire Department. After such appointment and
during the absence of the Fire Chief, the Acting Chief shall have
the powers and duties of the Chief of the Fire Department.
A Lieutenant, in the absence of his Assistant Chief, shall exercise
the same duties and have the same powers as the Assistant Chief. At
all other times, he shall perform such duties as the Assistant Chief
may direct.[2]
