Columbia Duties of fire chief, generally ordinance (§ 9-37)

(a) It shall be the duty of the fire chief to provide for the enforcement of all laws and of all ordinances of the city relating to fire limits and fire precautions and to public safety in case of fire or fire scare, not otherwise provided for by law. He shall have full power, control and command over all persons at fires, except police, and shall station the apparatus, and see to it that all persons belonging to the fire department perform the duties required of them by law and ordinance. It shall be the duty of the fire chief to direct at all fires all such measures as he shall deem advisable for the extinguishment and control of such fire.

(b) The fire chief, or his duly authorized representatives as may be in charge at the scene of a fire or other emergency involving the protection of life and/or property, is empowered to direct such operations as may be necessary to extinguish or control any suspected or reported fires, gas leaks, or other hazardous conditions or situations or to take any other action necessary in the reasonable performance of his duty. The fire official may prohibit any person, vehicle or object from approaching the scene and may remove or cause to be removed from the scene any person, vehicle or object which may impede or interfere with the operations of the fire department. The fire official may remove or cause to be removed any person, vehicle or object from hazardous areas. All persons ordered to leave a hazardous area shall do so immediately and shall not reenter the area until authorized to do so by the fire official.