Salinas Municipal Code § 13-6 City manager to issue orders relating to duties

The fire department shall be under the direct control of the fire chief. The fire chief shall be the chief executive of the department. Subject to the supervision and control of the city manager and the council, the fire chief shall have direct control and management of all members of the department in the lawful exercise of their duties.

(Ord. No. 2183 (NCS), § 1.)

Cross reference— As to administration generally, see Ch. 2 of this Code.

(a) It shall be the duty of the fire chief to exercise control and supervision over all matters relating to the prevention and suppression of fires, to mitigate hazardous or dangerous conditions, to provide emergency response and rescue to those in need and to take measures for the protection of lives and property imperiled thereby.

(b) Such duties shall include the inspection of potential fire, reactive or chemical hazards, abatement of dangerous conditions, investigation into the cause of fires, maintenance and care of all property and equipment used by the fire department, and public education in regard to life safety and fire prevention.

(Ord. No. 2183 (NCS), § 1.)

(a) During the time of a fire or hazardous condition response emergency, the fire chief shall have supreme authority over the territory involved therein and all persons in the immediate vicinity thereof. The chief shall have the authority to do, or cause to be done, any action that the chief determines is necessary for the prevention and suppression of fires, for the mitigation of hazardous conditions, and for the protection of property imperiled thereby, including, among other things, authority over water and its use within the city.

(b) During the time of a fire or hazardous conditions emergency, the fire chief shall have the authority to employ personnel to assist firefighters in the suppression of such fire or hazardous condition, if a state of extreme emergency exists which requires such employment; such a finding by the chief shall be conclusive evidence thereof, and such personnel shall receive appropriate compensation as volunteer firefighters.

(Ord. No. 2183 (NCS), § 1.)

It shall be the duty of the fire chief to adopt and enforce a code of rules and regulations for the government, discipline, and uniforms, of the members and officers of the department, fixing their duties, and prescribing penalties for violation of any such rules and regulations. Such rules and regulations and any amendments thereto shall not become effective until approved by the city manager.

(Ord. No. 2183 (NCS), § 1.)

All subordinate officers and employees of the fire department shall perform such duties as shall be defined by the rules and regulations, standard operating procedures of the department, or by the orders of the fire chief.

(Ord. 2183 (NCS), § 1.)

The city manager shall from time to time, and whenever the manager deems it necessary for the best interests of the city, issue to the fire chief any orders relating to the duties of the fire chief. No orders shall be given by the city manager to the fire department except through the fire chief, or other acting head of the department. It shall be the duty of the fire chief to promptly and efficiently execute any and all legal orders issued to him by the city manager.

(Ord. 2183 (NCS), § 1.)

The mayor, or his or her designee, is authorized and empowered, upon occasion(s) of public calamity by fire or other destructive force, when requested for aid and assistance by neighboring cities and towns or by the State Office of Emergency Services, to send such apparatus and relief from the fire department, as the occasion may require, consistent with maintaining appropriate fire and emergency protection for the city.

(Ord. 2183 (NCS), § 1.)