All Fire Protection Districts having more than two full-time paid firefighters shall have one full-time fire chief who shall supervise and administer the fire protection district in accordance with the policies and procedures prescribed by the board of directors. The fire protection district shall be under the direction and control of the fire chief. The fire chief, whether permanent or interim, of any paid or combination fire protection district shall have had at least three (3) years actual experience as a paid firefighter before assuming the position of fire chief. During the initial transition from a volunteer fire protection district to one having more than two full-time firefighters, the paid fire chief shall have had at least three (3) years of experience as a paid firefighter or at least five (5) years of experience as a volunteer fire chief officer with that department before assuming the position of paid fire chief. The board may add additional requirements to the position as necessary.

1. The fire chief:

a.shall be at the head of the department, subject to the laws of the State of Oklahoma, rules of the board of directors and the rules and regulations herein adopted,

b.shall be held responsible for the general condition and efficient operation of the department, the training of members and the performance of all other duties imposed upon him or her by law or the board of directors,

c.may inspect or cause to be inspected by members of the department, the fire hydrants, cisterns and other sources of water supply at least twice a year,

d.shall maintain a library or file of publications on fire prevention and fire protection and shall make use of the library or file to the best advantage of all members,

e.shall make every effort to attend all fires and direct the officers and members of the fire department in the performance of their duties,

f.shall see that the citizens are kept informed on fire hazards within the boundaries of the department and on the activities of the department,

g.shall see that each fire is carefully investigated to determine its cause, and in the case of suspicion of incendiarism shall notify proper authorities. The fire chief shall secure and preserve all possible evidence for future use in the case of a suspicious incendiarism, and

h.shall file the appropriate activity report forms with the Office of the State Fire Marshal in Oklahoma City on an annual basis. The activity report forms shall be designed by the State Fire Marshal and shall include, but not be limited to, the amount of property and vehicle fire loss, types of fires, inspections and investigations. The report shall include notification of all fire-related civilian deaths and injuries in the respective jurisdiction and of firefighter deaths in the line of duty and of firefighter injuries in the line of duty requiring the services of a hospital or physician or both.

2. Assistant fire chief. In the absence of the fire chief, the assistant fire chief on duty shall command the department and be held responsible therefore in all respects with the full powers and responsibilities of the fire chief.

3. Company officers. The company officers shall be selected upon their ability to meet the following requirements:

a.knowledge of firefighting,

b.leadership ability, and

c.knowledge of firefighting equipment.

Added by Laws 2019, c. 206, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2019.