[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Board of the Village of
Grafton 11-18-2019 by Ord. No. 020-2019. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
The Fire Department shall investigate the cause and origin, and circumstances,
of fires occurring within their jurisdiction to determine if the fire
was caused by carelessness or design. Such investigations may begin
immediately upon the occurrence of such a fire. The AHJ shall notify
the proper authorities designated by law to pursue the investigation
of such matters and shall further cooperate with the authorities in
the collection of evidence and in the prosecution of the case. A member
of the fire investigation team shall file a written report of damage
associated with every fire in a timely manner. It shall contain a
statement of all facts relating to the cause and origin and circumstances
of such fire and other information as may be required.
B.
The Municipal Attorney and any other department of the municipality,
upon the request of the Fire Chief, shall assist in the investigation
of any fire that, in the Chief's opinion, is of suspicious origin.
C.
Any officer of the Fire Department may cause the arrest of any person
failing to give the right-of-way to the Fire Department in responding
to or investigating an incident.
D.
The Fire Chief or officers in command may prescribe certain limits
in the vicinity of any incident within which no persons, excepting
firefighters and police officers and those admitted by order of any
officer of the Fire Department, shall be permitted to enter.
E.
The Fire Chief or officers in command shall have the power to cause
the removal of any property whenever it is deemed necessary and prudent
for the preservation of such property. During the progress of any
fire, they shall have the power to cause the removal of all wires
or other facilities and the turning off of all electricity or other
services where the same impedes work of the Fire Department during
the progress of fire.
F.
It shall be lawful for any Fire Department personnel, while acting
under the direction of the Fire Chief or officer in command, to enter
premises adjacent to or in the vicinity of a building or other property
that is on fire for the purpose of extinguishing, containing, or searching
for extension of such fire or other exigent circumstances.
G.
During the progress of fire, the Fire Chief or officers in command
shall have the power to order the removal or destruction of any property
necessary to prevent the further spread of fire or to ensure that
the fire has not extended to other areas, providing that it is likely
that, unless such property is removed, other property is in danger
of being destroyed by fire.
H.
No person shall hinder, resist or obstruct any firefighter in the
discharge of his duties as provided in this section. The person so
offending shall be deemed guilty of resisting firefighters in the
discharge of their duties.
A.
Any Fire Department officer, Fire Inspector or Village official charged with the responsibility for enforcement of this chapter is authorized to issue citations for a violation of this chapter pursuant to Chapter 1.12 of this Municipal Code.
B.
Citations may be issued to a property owner, contractor, occupant,
or any or all of them, as appropriate under the circumstances.
