A. The chief shall formulate a set of rules and regulations to govern the department, and shall be responsible to the city for the personnel, morale, and general efficiency of the department.

B. The chief shall determine the number and kind of companies of which the department is to be composed and shall determine the response of such companies to alarms.

C. The chief shall submit all records required by the state pertaining to fire reports, registering of firefighters and certification of the department.

D. The chief shall at least once a month conduct suitable drills or instruction in the operation and handling of equipment, first aid and rescue work, salvage, a study of buildings in the Bethel area, fire prevention, water supplies, and all other matters generally considered essential to good firemanship and safety of life and property from fire.

E. The chief is required to assist the proper authorities in suppressing the crime of arson by investigating or causing to be investigated the cause, origin, and circumstances of all fires.

F. Upon request of a property owner or occupant, the fire chief or their duly appointed representative shall make fire safety inspections and recommendations to correct any hazardous safety conditions. Request shall be made by the property owner to the fire chief.

G. The chief shall see that complete records are kept of all fires, inspections, apparatus and minor equipment, personnel and other information about the work of the department as requested by the city manager and city council.

H. The chief shall report annually to the city council the condition of the apparatus and equipment; the number of fires during the year, their location and cause, and date of same and loss occasioned thereby; the number and purpose of all other runs made; and the number of members responding to each fire or other run; include comparative data for previous years and recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the department, and any changes in membership.

I. The chief shall submit to the city manager monthly reports of reimbursements due to each firefighter for duties performed. [Prior code § 2.36.060.]