Chapter 2.48
VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT1
Sections:
2.48.010 Established—Responsibility.
2.48.020 Officers and personnel—Appointment—Duties.
2.48.040 Chief—Management responsibilities.
2.48.050 Arson investigations.
2.48.060 Inspection for fire hazard—Notice to abate.
2.48.010 Established—Responsibility.
There is a volunteer fire department with the responsibility for prevention of fire, provision of emergency medical services, and the protection of life and property in the area of Dillingham. (Ord. 77-7 § 2 (part), 1977; Ord. 86-8 § 1, 1986; Ord. 98-8 § 1 (part), 1998.)
2.48.020 Officers and personnel—Appointment—Duties.
A. Chief. The chief of the volunteer fire department shall be appointed by the city manager from among persons nominated by the members of the volunteer fire department. The chief shall be technically qualified by training and experience and shall have ability to command persons and hold their respect and confidence.
B. Other Officers. In addition to the chief, there shall be one assistant chief, and other officers deemed necessary for the effective operation of the department.
C. Members. The membership of the department shall consist of such persons as may be appointed by the chief and shall be able-bodied citizens residing within the area. Any member of the department may be suspended or discharged from the department by a majority of members at any time they deem such action necessary for the good of the department.
D. Special Police Power. All regularly appointed members of the department are given the necessary special police powers for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this chapter.
E. Duties of Peace Officers. It is the special duty of the chief of police and any other peace officers who may be on duty and available for fire and EMS calls, to respond to all alarms and assist the department in the protection of life and property, in regulating traffic, maintaining order and in enforcing observance of all sections of this chapter. (Ord. 77-7 § 2 (part), 1977; Ord. 86-8 § 1, 1986; Ord. 98-8 § 1 (part), 1998.)
2.48.040 Chief—Management responsibilities.
A. Rules and Regulations. The chief shall formulate a set of rules and regulations to govern the department, and shall be responsible to the city manager for the personnel, morale and general efficiency of the department.
B. Organization. The chief shall determine the number and kind of companies of which the department is to be composed and shall determine the response of such companies to alarms.
C. Drills. The chief shall at least once a month conduct suitable drills or instruction in the operation and handling of equipment, first aid and rescue work, salvage, a study of buildings in the area, fire prevention, water supplies, and all other matters generally considered essential to good firemanship and safety of life and property from fire. (Ord. 77-7 § 2 (part), 1977; Ord. 86-8 § 1, 1986.)
2.48.050 Arson investigations.
The chief is required to assist the proper authorities in suppressing the crime of arson by investigating or causing to be investigated the cause, origin, and circumstances of all fires. (Ord. 77-7 § 2 (part), 1977; Ord. 86-8 § 1, 1986.)
2.48.060 Inspection for fire hazard—Notice to abate.
A. The chief is empowered to enter any and all buildings and premises while providing fire protection services, in accordance with AS 18.70.075(a) to:
1. Control and direct activities at a fire;
2. Order a person to leave a building or place in the vicinity of the fire, for the purpose of protecting the person from injury;
3. Blockade a public highway, street, or private right-of-way temporarily while at a fire;
4. Trespass upon property at or near the scene of a fire at any time of the day or night;
5. Enter a building including a private dwelling, or upon premises where a fire is in progress, or where there is reasonable cause to believe a fire is in progress, for the purpose of extinguishing the fire;
6. Enter a building, including a private dwelling, or premises near the scene of a fire for the purpose of protecting the building or premises or for the purpose of extinguishing a fire which is in progress in another building or premises;
7. Upon twenty-four-hour notice to the owner or occupant, inspect for pre-planning all buildings, structures, or other places within the municipality, except the interior of a private dwelling, where combustible material is or may become dangerous as a fire menace to the building; and
8. Direct the removal or destruction of a fence, house, motor vehicle, or other thing which he/she may judge necessary to remove or destroy to prevent the further spread of a fire.
B. Any person so served with a notice to abate any fire hazard or hazards, shall comply therewith and promptly notify the chief. (Ord. 77-7 § 2 (part), 1977; Ord. 86-8 § 1, 1986.)
2.48.070 Records and reports.
A. The chief shall see that complete records are kept of all fires, inspections, apparatus and minor equipment, personnel and other information about the work of the department.
B. Reports. The chief shall report monthly to the city manager the condition of the apparatus and equipment; the number of fires during the month, their location and cause, and date of same and loss occasioned thereby; the number and purpose of all runs made including ambulance runs; and the number of members responding to each fire, EMS or other run, and any changes in membership.
C. Annual Report. The chief shall make a complete annual report to the city council within one month after the close of the fiscal year, such report to include the information specified in subsection A of this section, together with comparative data for previous years and recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the department. (Ord. 77-7 § 2 (part), 1977; Ord. 86-8 § 1, 1986; Ord. 98-8 § 1 (part), 1998.)
2.48.080 Equipment.
A. Generally. The department shall be equipped with such apparatus and other equipment as may be required from time to time to maintain its efficiency and properly protect life and property from fire.
B. Selection. Recommendations of apparatus and equipment needed shall be made to the chief and after approval by the members shall be forwarded to the city council through the city manager and considered as a budgetary item.
C. Housing. All equipment of the department shall be safely and conveniently housed in such places as may be designated by the city council. Such places shall be heated during the winter season.
D. Alarm Equipment. Suitable arrangement or equipment shall be provided for citizens to turn in an alarm, and for notifying all members of the department so that they may promptly respond.
E. Improper Use. No person shall use any fire apparatus or equipment for any private purpose, nor shall any person willfully and without proper authority take away or conceal any article used in any way by the department.
F. Loan Prohibited. No apparatus shall be hired out or permitted to leave the fire hall, except for fires or fire drills. The officer in charge of the department shall have power to assign equipment for response to calls for outside aid in accordance with subsection H, and in other cases only when the absence of such equipment will not jeopardize protection in the fire area.
G. Unauthorized Entry. No person shall enter any place where fire apparatus is housed or handle any apparatus or equipment belonging to the department unless accompanied by, or having the special permission of, an officer or authorized member of the department.
H. Mutual Aid. The chief of the fire department is authorized to enter into agreements or contracts, with the concurrence of the council, with nearby incorporated communities or governing bodies of other organizations to provide the members of such communities or organizations with fire protection or to establish a mutual aid system. (Ord. 86-8 § 1, 1986.)
2.48.090 Ambulance fees.
The city of Dillingham shall levy and collect on ambulance services. The fees may be set of changed by resolution. The fees will be for basic life support (BLS) services, advanced life support (ALS) services, and per mile from point of pickup to point of delivery. The fees shall be set for each patient transported. Policies and procedures shall be established by the city manager for the levy and collection of these fees. (Ord. 98-9 § 1, 1998; Ord. 00-08 § 1, 2001.)
For statutory authority of municipal fire department officers and their personnel, see AS 18.70.075.