(1) Except as provided in subdivision (a)(2) of this section, the city council shall establish fire departments and provide them with proper engines and such other equipment as shall be necessary to extinguish fires and preserve the property of the city and of the inhabitants from conflagration.
(2) In lieu of establishing its own fire department under this section, the city council by ordinance may enter into a contract or interlocal agreement for city fire protection with an existing fire department certified by the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board.
(3) The city council shall promulgate rules to govern the fire department that the city council deems expedient.