The council of any city shall have power to enact such ordinances and establish and enforce such regulations as they shall deem necessary to guard against the occurrence of fires, and to protect the property and persons of the citizens against damage and accident resulting therefrom; and for this purpose to establish and maintain a fire department; to organize and maintain fire companies; to employ and appoint firemen; to make and establish rules and regulations for the government of the department, the employes, firemen and officers thereof; and for the care and management of the engines, apparatus, property and buildings pertaining to the department; and prescribing the powers and duties of such employes, firemen and officers.