Article II - Director / Fire Chief
Section 1 - Authority
A. Under the administrative jurisdiction of the Director of Public Safety, the Fire Chief shall be the executive head of TFRD and shall have the power and authority to organize, manage, and control all activities within TFRD, to establish suitable measures to make effective the policies, practices, procedures, and rules and regulations necessary for the efficient operation of TFRD.
B. The Chief shall have exclusive control of the assignment, stationing, and transfer of all Firefighters, Company Officers, Chief Officers, and other TFRD employees under such rules, regulations, and contractual language as the Safety Director may prescribe.
C. The Chief may assume command of any large or unusual fire or emergency to which they may respond. The Chief shall, as practicable, attend sufficient fires to determine that proper methods of command, leadership, and firefighting strategy are practiced by the Chiefs and Company Officers.
D. Whenever any building in the City of Toledo is or has been involved with fire, it shall be lawful for the Fire Chief or legal designee to order and direct that such building or any other building, or parts thereof, which is deemed hazardous and likely to contribute to the spread of fire or endanger life or other property, be destroyed or demolished, and no action shall be maintained against the Fire Chief or any person acting on the Chief's orders.
E. The Chief shall submit an annual report of the activities of the TFRD to the Director of Public Safety and other authorities as directed.
F. The Chief shall have the authority to require the response of any or all off-duty TFRD personnel to fires, other emergencies, or other assignments if such action, in the Chief's judgment, is necessary for the preservation of life or property. The Chief may also require personnel to remain on duty beyond their normal relief time under such circumstances.
G. The Chief shall establish and maintain such rules and regulations regarding uniforms and protective fire clothing as the Chief may determine to be best for the safety of the firefighting force. With the approval of the Safety Director, the Chief may change such rules and regulations at any time.
H. The Chief shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Safety Director or other competent authority.
Section 2 - Duties and Responsibilities
A. Administrative The Chief shall be responsible for the proper management, efficiency, assignment, discipline, performance, and training of all members of TFRD. The Chief shall have the authority to make investigations and require full and complete reports from all members of TFRD on such matters as the Chief deems necessary to the efficient and orderly operation of TFRD.
B. Public Safety The Chief shall have full charge of and responsibility for the prevention of, protection against, and extinguishment of fire and the necessary and incidental protection of lives and property in connection therewith. The Chief may authorize the saving and protection of lives and property other than at fires, insofar as the Chief is permitted or empowered by law.
C. Discipline The Chief shall exercise command at all times over all members of TFRD.
In cases of violations of the Rules and Regulations by any member, the Fire Chief or their designee, after hearing evidence relating to the charges, shall have the exclusive right to suspend, or recommend the dismissal or demotion of the member. The Fire Chief shall also have the right to reprimand, assign special details to, or withhold certain privileges from any member found guilty of violations.