If a township has established a fire department, the township board is authorized to employ a chief, fire fighters, and officers as required.

MCL 41.806 requires that, in general law townships, the township board hires the fire chief, fire fighters, and officers.

MCL 42.13 provides that, in a charter township, the supervisor or superintendent may be authorized by the township board to hire a fire chief and fire fighters, subject to the approval of the township board.

A township board may also delegate this authority to a fire administrative board (MCL 41.812).

Public Acts 9 and 10 of 1992 prohibit a member of the township board from serving as fire chief, full-time fire fighter, or person who negotiates with the township on behalf of the firefighters.

A fire chief has statutory authority to perform fire-related duties that is separate from the authority delegated by the township board. The Fire Prevention Code Act, Public Act 207 of 1941, conveys certain specific authority and obligations on fire chiefs, and provides very broad authority to fire chiefs to abate dangerous conditions (MCL 29.7a).

The International Association of Fire Chiefs has promulgated a Fire Chief's Code of Ethics.