Chapter 2.84 FIRE DEPARTMENT

There is created and established a fire department consisting of a chief of the fire department and such other officers and firemen as may hereafter be necessary to operate the department and as may be provided for by ordinance. All members of such fire department shall be regarded as employees of the village. (Ord. 2012-32 § 2, 2012)

2.84.020 Offices created – Appointments.

Only full-time members of the fire department shall be appointed or dismissed by the board of fire and police commissioners and be entitled to the pension benefits provided by 40 ILCS 5/4-101 et seq. (Ord. 2012-32 § 2, 2012)

2.84.025 Purchasing power to abate nuisances.

For a purchase or lease of materials, goods, or services to abate nuisances, as defined in the Riverdale Municipal Code, within the village the cost of which is equal to, or less than, seven hundred fifty dollars, the chief of the fire department may select a qualified vendor or service provider or may request price quotations from several such vendors or providers and choose from among them as he may determine is in the best interests of the village. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any such purchases by the chief of the fire department are subject to board ratification and to the limitations imposed by the annual appropriation ordinance. (Ord. 2014-19 § 3, 2014)

2.84.030 Organization.

The chief of the fire department shall be appointed by the village president with the advice and consent of the board of trustees and shall hold his office until his successor has been appointed and qualified. The fire department shall be organized and the officers thereof shall be appointed through recognized and established testing processes as provided for by rules promulgated by the village; provided, however, that all full-time members of the fire department shall be appointed by the board of fire and police commissioners of the village. (Ord. 2012-32 § 2, 2012)

2.84.040 Duties of chief, deputy chief and assistant at fires.

It shall be the duty of the chief or the deputy chief or assistant chief to attend all fires occurring in the village, and in case of their absence from any fire, it shall be the duty of the officer in command of the fire company first on the ground at such fire to take charge of the department, and during the absence of the chief or the deputy chief or assistant chief, he shall have and exercise all the powers of the chief of the fire department. (Ord. 2012-32 § 2, 2012; Ord. 82-18 § 2, 1982)

2.84.050 General powers of fire chief.

A. The chief of the fire department shall have sole and absolute control and command over all persons connected with the fire department of the village. He shall possess full power and authority over its organization, government and discipline, and the direction and control of all daily and emergency operations of the department, and to that end he may prescribe and establish from time to time such rules and regulations as he may deem advisable. He shall have the power to recommend ordinances, amendments to ordinances, and resolutions as he may deem necessary for safeguarding life and property. He shall regularly report such operations to the president and board of trustees.

B. The chief of the fire department shall have power to suspend any full-time fireman from duty, in accordance with the rules of the board of fire and police commissioners, but he shall report such suspension to the board of fire and police commissioners and the reasons for his action.

C. The chief of the fire department shall have power to suspend any other full-time fire department personnel from duty, in accordance with the rules of the board of fire and police commissioners, but he shall report such suspension to the board of fire and police commissioners and the reasons for his action. On such report being made, the commission shall take such action as it deems to be appropriate. (Ord. 2012-32 § 2, 2012)

2.84.060 Custody of department property.

The chief of the fire department shall have the custody, subject to the direction of the village board, of the engines, hoses, carts, trucks, ladders, electric lines and all other property and equipment belonging to the fire department. (Ord. 2012-32 § 2, 2012)

2.84.065 Arson investigator.

There is hereby created the position of arson investigator. The arson investigator shall be appointed by the president, with the consent of the board of trustees. The arson investigator shall have the qualifications and training as prescribed in Section 2910 of the Peace Officer Fire Investigation Act (20 ILCS 290/1). The arson investigator shall be sworn in as a peace officer and shall have the same powers and duties as set forth in Section 2910 of the Peace Officer Fire Investigation Act (20 ILCS 290/1). (Ord. 2014-01 § 2, 2014)

2.84.070 Investigation of cause of fire – Report to State Fire Marshal.

It shall be the duty of the chief of the fire department to investigate or cause to be investigated the cause and circumstances of every fire occurring within the village, by which property has been destroyed or damaged, and especially to make investigation as to whether such fire was the result of carelessness or design, and cause such investigation to be made as required by law. He shall notify the State Fire Marshal of such fire and shall furnish to the State Fire Marshal with a written statement of all facts relating to the cause or origin of the fire and such other information as may be called for by the State Fire Marshal, and he shall also cooperate with and assist the State Fire Marshal in any investigation the State Fire Marshal shall deem necessary. (Ord. 2012-32 § 2, 2012)

2.84.080 Reserved.

Reserved. (Ord. 2012-32 § 2, 2012)

2.84.090 Reserved.

Reserved. (Ord. 2012-32 § 2, 2012)

2.84.100 Reserved.

Reserved. (Ord. 2012-32 § 2, 2012)

2.84.110 Annual report.

The chief of the fire department shall in January of each year make a full and complete report to the village president and board of trustees of all activities of the fire department for the preceding year. The report shall also show, as nearly as can be ascertained, the number of fires, causes thereof, all accidents by fire and the number of and a brief description of the buildings destroyed or injured, together with the names of the owners or occupants, the amount of property destroyed by fire and insurance thereon, and shall include such other statistics and suggestions as the chief of the fire department may deem advisable. (Ord. 2012-32 § 2, 2012)

2.84.120 Reserved.

Reserved. (Ord. 2012-32 § 2, 2012)

2.84.130 Building inspections.

It shall be the duty of the chief of the fire department to make or cause to be made the inspections provided by ordinance. (Ord. 2012-32 § 2, 2012)

2.84.140 Reserved.

Reserved. (Ord. 2012-32 § 2, 2012)

2.84.150 Hazardous buildings.

A. When any building in the village shall, by reason of fire or other casualty, or by reason of faulty construction, age, lack of proper repair or any other cause, become a hazard or menace so as to endanger persons or property, the president and board of trustees may declare the same to be a danger or menace and abate the same. Where such building has become extra dangerous so that the hazard therefrom to life or property is imminent, and the necessity for immediate action arises, the president of the village, the building inspector, the chief of the fire department or the chief of police may order the removal of a part or all of such building without previous notice to the owner. But notice to the owner shall be given as soon as possible.

B. Where such extra danger may be guarded against by protective measures without destroying or removing such building or part thereof, the president shall cause an investigation to be made through the proper department of the village to determine the extent and character of the condition and the steps necessary to correct the same. When such investigation shall have been completed and submitted to the president and board of trustees, they may by resolution determine in what manner such hazard or menace shall be removed or abated. Notice shall be given the owner, and a hearing granted him at the next regular meeting of the board, if he requests it prior to, or at, such meeting, whereupon the president and board of trustees shall adopt such resolution as in their discretion they may deem proper or necessary to remove such hazard or menace, and may require the owner, within such reasonable time as may be specified in the resolution, to abate such condition. The owner shall have ten days within which to appeal to the Department of Insurance of the state. (Ord. 2012-32 § 2, 2012)

2.84.160 Reserved.

Reserved. (Ord. 2012-32 § 2, 2012)

2.84.170 Chapter provisions not limitation of authority.

The provisions of this chapter shall not be taken as limiting the duties, powers and authority of any officer or department of the village respecting other ordinances providing for remedying defects in buildings. (Ord. 2012-32 § 2, 2012)

2.84.180 Office of assistant chief created – Appointment.

There is created the office of assistant chief of the fire department. The assistant chief of the fire department shall be appointed by the village president with the advice and consent of the board of trustees and upon the recommendation of the fire chief after such completion of a formal and recognized testing process has been completed. The assistant chief shall possess the power and authority of the fire chief in the absence of the fire chief or the deputy chief. (Ord. 2012-32 § 2, 2012; Ord. 82-18 § 1, 1982)

2.84.190 Office of deputy chief created – Appointment.

There is created the office of deputy chief of the fire department. The deputy chief of the fire department shall be appointed by the village president with the advice and consent of the board of trustees and upon the recommendation of the fire chief. The deputy chief shall possess the power and authority of the fire chief in the absence of the fire chief. (Ord. 2016-38 § 12, 2016; Ord. 2012-32 § 2, 2012)

2.84.210 Reserved.

Reserved. (Ord. 2012-32 § 2, 2012)

2.84.220 Position of training officer – Appointment.

There is hereby created the position of training officer. The training officer shall be appointed by the fire chief. He shall perform such duties and functions as directed by the fire chief in regards to the training and certification of all fire department personnel. He shall receive compensation for such services as provided in the annual appropriation ordinance. (Ord. 2012-32 § 2, 2012; Ord. 94-11 § 1, 1994)

2.84.230 Position of public education officer – Appointment.

There is hereby created the position of public education officer. The public education officer shall be appointed by the fire chief. He shall perform such duties and functions as directed by the fire chief to educate the general public with regards to fire safety. (Ord. 2012-32 § 2, 2012; Ord. 2002-30 § 1, 2002)

2.84.240 Position of emergency medical service coordinator – Appointment.

There is hereby created the position of emergency medical service coordinator. The emergency medical service coordinator shall be appointed by the fire chief. He shall perform such duties and functions as directed by the fire chief in regards to the emergency medical service training and certification of all fire department personnel. He shall receive compensation for such services as provided in the annual appropriation ordinance. (Ord. 2012-32 § 2, 2012)