The fire department shall consist of as many hose companies and hook and ladder companies, of not more than twenty members and not less than fifteen members, as may be organized in the manner provided in this chapter, with the approval of the council of the city. Each company shall elect a president, secretary and clerk and make bylaws for its own government. On the second Monday of January of each year each company shall elect a captain, who shall take charge of the company and cause the orders of the chief to be executed, and he shall also see that all apparatus belonging to his company is kept neat and clean and in order for immediate use.