Red Bluff Municipal Code Art. I Fire Department

There is hereby created the Fire Department, the purpose of which shall be the prevention and suppression of fire, and the protection of life and property from hazards resulting from fire or other disasters within the city limits.

(Ord. 1055, passed 11-19-2019; Am. Ord. 1070, passed 11-15-2022)

(A) The Fire Department shall be headed by the Fire Chief, and shall consist of as many other officers and firefighters as may be deemed necessary for the effective operation of the Department, and as are authorized from time to time by the City Council.

(B) The functions of the Fire Department shall include:

(1) Protecting life and property by preventing and eliminating fire hazards and by controlling and extinguishing fires;

(2) Enforcing laws and ordinances relating to preventing and extinguishing fires and handling potentially dangerous combustibles and explosives;

(3) Conducting investigations into the causes of all fires; (in all cases where there is reason to believe that any fire is the result of a crime or that a crime was committed in connection therewith, the cooperation and coordination of the responsible law enforcement authority shall be obtained);

(4) Maintaining in efficient operable condition those firefighting and fire prevention systems and facilities assigned to the Fire Department;

(5) Subject to the provisions of this code relating to personnel, recruiting and training firefighters or other volunteer and auxiliary personnel as may reasonably be required to augment regular Fire Department personnel; and

(6) Performing other duties that do not detract from the primary purpose of fire suppression and prevention as the City Manager may direct.

(Ord. 1055, passed 11-19-2019; Am. Ord. 1070, passed 11-15-2022)

The Fire Chief shall develop, maintain and enforce an up-to-date comprehensive set of rules and regulations governing the discipline, training and operation of the Fire Department.

(Ord. 1055, passed 11-19-2019; Am. Ord. 1070, passed 11-15-2022)

The Fire Chief shall be the chief executive officer of the Fire Department, and shall be invested with the following powers:

(A) To make an annual report to the City Manager at the end of each fiscal year concerning the Fire Department in general, giving a description of its condition and telling of its activities during the year;

(B) To have direct control, management and direction of all officers and personnel of the Fire Department, and the power to detail any of them to the public service as he and she may see fit, looking to the best interests and efficiency of the Department;

(C) To carry out the enforcement of the rules and regulations of the Department, and to be able to recommend, suspend or remove from service any officer or firefighter in a manner as provided in these regulations;

(D) To exercise supreme command over the Department at fires and over all resources belonging to it;

(E) To cause all fires to be extinguished with the least possible danger to life and property, and to prevent unnecessary damage at fires;

(F) To see that the premises on which fires occur are left in a condition that they will not rekindle and cause further damage to life and property;

(G) To see that all equipment and apparatus are maintained in the best possible working condition;

(H) To make a complete investigation of each fire, keeping a record of determining its cause, amount of loss to buildings and contents, the number and description of each building destroyed, together with the names of the owner and occupants; and

(I) May designate official(s) who are authorized to exercise the authority provided by California Penal Code §§ 19.7, 830.37 and 836.5

(Ord. 1055, passed 11-19-2019; Am. Ord. 1070, passed 11-15-2022)