Athens City Code

The city has established a fire department to be supported and equipped from appropriations by the city council. All apparatus, equipment, and supplies shall be purchased by or through the city and shall be and remain the property of the city. The fire department shall be composed of a chief and such number of physically fit subordinate officers and firefighters as the city manager shall appoint.

(Code 1972, § 7-301; Code 1995, § 7-301)

The fire department shall have as its objectives:

1. (1) To prevent uncontrolled fires from starting.
2. (2) To prevent the loss of life and property in case a fire does start.
3. (3) To confine fires to the place of origin.
4. (4) To extinguish uncontrolled fires.
5. (5) To prevent loss of life from asphyxiation or drowning.
6. (6) To perform such rescue work as its equipment and/or the training of its personnel makes practicable.

(Code 1972, § 7-302; Code 1995, § 7-302)

The fire chief shall set up the organization of the department, make definite assignments to individuals, and shall formulate and enforce such rules and regulations as shall be necessary for the orderly and efficient operation of the fire department.

(Code 1972, § 7-303; Code 1995, § 7-303)

The fire chief shall keep adequate records of all fires, inspections, apparatus, equipment, personnel, and work of the department. He shall submit a written report on those matters to the city manager once each month and, at the end of the year, a detailed annual report shall be made.

(Code 1972, § 7-304; Code 1995, § 7-304)

The chief shall hold office so long as his conduct and efficiency are satisfactory to the city manager. The city manager or the chief shall have the authority to suspend or discharge any other member of the fire department when he deems such action to be necessary for the good of the department. All personnel of the fire department shall receive such compensation for their services as the city council may from time to time prescribe.

(Code 1972, § 7-305; Code 1995, § 7-305)

The fire chief shall be fully responsible for the training of firefighters.

(Code 1972, § 7-306; Code 1995, § 7-306)

Pursuant to requirements of T.C.A. § 68-102-108, the fire chief is designated as an assistant to the state commissioner of insurance and is subject to all the duties and obligations imposed by T.C.A. title 68, ch. 102 and shall be subject to the directions of the fire prevention commissioner in the execution of the provisions thereof.

(Code 1972, § 7-308; Code 1995, § 7-307)

During the progress of any fire, the fire department may remove or destroy any property necessary to prevent the further spread of the fire.

(Code 1972, § 7-309; Code 1995, § 7-308)

Firefighters shall have the same powers and authority as police officers of the city while going to, attending, and returning from fires and for the purpose of enforcing fire prevention regulations and protecting firefighting apparatus, equipment and facilities.

(Code 1972, § 7-310; Code 1995, § 7-309)

No equipment of the fire department shall be used for fighting any fire outside the corporate limits except pursuant to a mutual aid agreement entered into with another municipal corporation.

(Code 1972, § 7-307; Code 1995, § 7-401)