Chapter 2.45
FIRE DEPARTMENT1
Sections:
2.45.010 Created – Composition.
2.45.020 Departmental rules and regulations.
2.45.040 Appointment, powers and duties of chief.
2.45.050 Appointment and duties of firemen.
2.45.060 Entry upon adjacent property.
2.45.080 Providing fire protection outside the town.
2.45.090 Acknowledgment of right-of-way.
2.45.110 Orders of fire chief.
2.45.010 Created – Composition.
There is hereby created a volunteer fire department for the town which shall consist of a chief, two captains, and as many firemen as may be deemed necessary from time to time by the council. [Code 1983 § 4-2-1.]
2.45.020 Departmental rules and regulations.
The fire department shall be operated and managed in accordance with such departmental rules and regulations as may from time to time be adopted by the council. [Code 1983 § 4-2-2.]
2.45.030 Compensation.
The fire chief, two captains and volunteer firemen shall be compensated as may be determined by the council. [Code 1983 § 4-2-3.]
2.45.040 Appointment, powers and duties of chief.
The chief of the fire department shall be appointed by the council and shall serve for a term of two years subject to the pleasure of the council. It shall be the duty of the chief to:
A. Be accountable to the council for the personnel, morale and general efficiency of the fire department.
B. Direct the operations of the fire department, subject to the rules and regulations thereof.
C. Be present at all fires, if possible, and plan and direct the extinguishment thereof. During the progress of a fire the authority of the fire chief shall be absolute in all matters directly concerning the extinguishment of the fire and the disposition of property endangered by it.
D. Conduct suitable drills or instruction in the operation and handling of equipment, first aid and rescue work, salvage, a study of buildings in the town, water supplies, and all other matters generally considered essential to good firemanship and safety of life and property from fire.
E. 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.
F. Inspect buildings and premises and serve written notice upon the owner or occupant to abate, within a specified time, any and all fire hazards that may be found. For the purpose of conducting such inspection, the chief is hereby empowered to enter any and all buildings and premises within the town at any reasonable hour. Any person served with such written notice to abate shall comply and notify the chief of his compliance within a reasonable time.
G. Keep complete records of all fires, inspections, apparatus and equipment, personnel and other information about the work of the department open to council inspection and furnish to the council such information upon request.
H. Make a complete annual report, in writing, to the council within one month after the close of the fiscal year, and such report shall include the information specified in subsection (G) of this section, together with comparative data for previous years and recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the department.
I. Enforce or cause to be enforced all ordinances, laws and regulations of the town and state, insofar as they pertain to fire and safety.
J. Demote, dismiss or expel any officer or member of the department for neglect or refusal to perform departmental duties, subject to the right of any members so demoted, dismissed or expelled to appeal to the council.
K. Appoint two fire captains from the membership of the department. [Code 1983 § 4-2-4.]
2.45.050 Appointment and duties of firemen.
Firemen shall be appointed at such time and in such manner as the council may deem necessary. Such appointees shall be able-bodied persons whose community activities are normally within the confines of the town, and who have telephones in their homes. The firemen shall be subject to supervision by the fire chief or the assistant fire chief. [Code 1983 § 4-2-5.]
2.45.060 Entry upon adjacent property.
It shall be lawful for any fireman acting under the direction of the chief or another officer in command to enter upon the premises adjacent to or in the vicinity of any building or other property that is on fire for the purpose of extinguishing such fire, and no person shall hinder, resist or obstruct any fireman in the discharge of his duty as hereinbefore provided. [Code 1983 § 4-2-6.]
2.45.070 Equipment.
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. Recommendations concerning apparatus and equipment needed shall be made by the chief, and after approval by the council, such apparatus and equipment shall be purchased in such manner as may be designated by the council. All equipment of the department shall be safely and conveniently housed in such place or places as may be designated by the council. No person shall use any fire apparatus or equipment for any private purpose, nor shall any person willfully take away or conceal any article used in any way by the department. No person shall enter any place where the fire apparatus is housed or handle any apparatus or equipment belonging to the department unless accompanied by or having special permission of an officer or authorized member of the department. No fire apparatus or equipment shall be hired out or permitted to leave the fire station except in response to a call for aid at a fire within the authorized area of response as shall be provided by the council, or in response to a call for aid at a fire in an area authorized for fire protection service or mutual aid under provisions of TTC 2.45.080. [Code 1983 § 4-2-7.]
2.45.080 Providing fire protection outside the town.
The council may enter into agreements or contracts to furnish fire protection outside the town or enter into mutual aid agreements, and the fire department is authorized and directed to render fire fighting service outside the town pursuant to the terms of such agreements or contracts. [Code 1983 § 4-2-8.]
2.45.090 Acknowledgment of right-of-way.
Each member of the department who drives a private motor vehicle shall be issued suitable insignia which may be attached to such motor vehicle. All motor equipment of the department and all motor vehicles of department members shall have right-of-way over all other traffic when responding to an alarm. No unauthorized vehicle shall follow within 600 feet of any apparatus belonging to the department nor park any vehicle or otherwise cause any obstruction to be placed within 10 feet of the entrance to any fire station or other place where fire apparatus is stored or within 15 feet of any fire hydrant or cistern. No person shall drive any vehicle over a fire hose except upon specific orders from the chief or other officer in charge where the hose is used. [Code 1983 § 4-2-9.]
2.45.100 Fire alarms.
Suitable arrangements 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. It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to turn in or cause to be turned in a false alarm. [Code 1983 § 4-2-10.]
2.45.110 Orders of fire chief.
It shall be unlawful for any fireman or citizen to refuse to obey an order issued by the fire chief pursuant to his authority under TTC 2.45.040(C). [Code 1983 § 4-2-11.]
State law reference: A.R.S. section 9-240(B)(7).