Chapter 2.40
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Sections:
2.40.010 Fire department – Establishment – Composition – Department supervisor.
2.40.030 Fire chief – Appointment – Duties.
2.40.040 Battalion chief – Selection – Duties.
2.40.050 Fire captain – Selection – Duties.
2.40.060 Reserve fire captain – Selection – Duties.
2.40.070 Reserve firefighters – Selection.
2.40.080 Department standard operating guidelines, by-laws – Board of trustees approval.
2.40.090 Investigation of fire hazards – Notices – Follow up.
2.40.100 Entry on adjacent property.
2.40.110 Investigation of fires and explosions.
2.40.120 Evidence of criminal acts.
2.40.010 Fire department – Establishment – Composition – Department supervisor.
There is established a fire department which shall consist of a fire chief, two battalion chiefs, a fire captain for each shift, a lieutenant for each shift if deemed necessary and as many firefighters for each shift as may be deemed necessary from time to time by the fire chief. The fire chief shall be the department supervisor. [Ord. 2007-03 § 1; Ord. 2004-11 § 1; Ord. 93-01 § 1; prior code § 3-3-1]
2.40.020 Fire district.
The entire town of Mesilla is declared to be a single fire district. [Ord. 2004-11 § 1; Ord. 93-01 § 1; prior code § 3-3-2]
2.40.030 Fire chief – Appointment – Duties.
A. The mayor, with the consent of the board of trustees, shall appoint the fire chief. During the interview process, a representative from the fire department shall serve on the interview panel.
B. The fire chief shall:
1. Provide and delegate departmental instruction in fire fighting techniques, operation and handling of equipment, first aid, rescue work, and salvage;
2. Make firefighters aware of building characteristics, water supplies and other matters essential for adequate fire prevention and protection;
3. Be responsible for appropriate records of fires, inspections, apparatus, equipment, financial status, officers, firefighters, and other pertinent operations of the department;
4. Provide a written annual report to the board of trustees within one month after the close of the fiscal year. The report shall include comparable data for previous years and recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the department; and
5. Provide a monthly report to the board of trustees at the following month’s BOT meeting. The report shall include all pertinent information as deemed necessary by the fire chief and the board of trustees. [Ord. 2004-11 § 1; Ord. 93-01 § 1; prior code § 3-3-3]
2.40.040 Battalion chief – Selection – Duties.
A. The battalion chief shall be selected by the fire department promotion board and confirmed by the fire chief.
B. The battalion chief shall assist the fire chief in the execution of her/his duties and shall perform the duties of the fire chief when absent. [Ord. 2007‑03 § 2; Ord. 2004-11 § 1; Ord. 93-01 § 1; prior code § 3-3-4]
2.40.050 Fire captain – Selection – Duties.
A. A fire captain shall be selected by the fire department promotion board and confirmed by the fire chief.
B. A fire captain shall be responsible for any duties assigned by the fire chief or battalion chief during his/her shift.
C. A fire captain shall also assume responsibility for all fire personnel in attendance on assigned shift days. [Ord. 2007-03 § 3; Ord. 2004-11 § 1; Ord. 93-01 § 1; prior code § 3-3-5]
2.40.060 Reserve fire captain – Selection – Duties.
A. A reserve fire captain shall be selected by the fire department promotion board and confirmed by the fire chief.
B. A reserve fire captain shall be responsible for any duties assigned by the fire chief or battalion chief during his/her shift.
C. A reserve fire captain shall be responsible for a shift which shall consist of five to seven reserve firefighters. [Ord. 2007-03 § 4; Ord. 2004-11 § 1; Ord. 93-01 § 1; prior code § 3-3-6]
2.40.070 Reserve firefighters – Selection.
A. Reserve firefighters shall be selected through the fire department selection and hiring process outlined in Article II Section 3 of Mesilla Fire Department Policies and Procedures Volume 1.
B. Reserve firefighters shall be responsible for duties assigned by the fire captain during their shift.
C. Reserve firefighters shall report to an assigned reserve fire captain. [Ord. 2007-03 § 5; Ord. 2004-11 § 1; Ord. 93-01 § 1; prior code § 3‑3‑7]
2.40.080 Department standard operating guidelines, by-laws – Board of trustees approval.
Fire department employees shall abide by Policies and Procedures and Standard Operating Guidelines as outlined in Volume 1 and Volume 2, as may be adopted by the department and approved by the board of trustees. [Ord. 2007-03 § 6; Ord. 2004-11 § 1; Ord. 93-01 § 1; prior code § 3-3-8]
2.40.090 Investigation of fire hazards – Notices – Follow up.
A. The fire chief is responsible for investigations and reports on any conditions liable to cause fire, endanger life from fire, or violations of the provisions of state and local codes, and to take corrective action.
B. Notices shall state:
1. The nature of the violation and the law or regulation violated;
2. That the owner or agent cease and desist violations;
3. The minimum corrective measure which must be taken;
4. A reasonable time for correction of the alleged violation; and
5. That if the violation is not corrected, legal action may be pursued by the Mesilla fire department in cooperation with Mesilla marshal’s law enforcement as appropriate. [Ord. 2007-03 § 7; Ord. 2004-11 § 1; Ord. 93-01 § 1; prior code § 3‑3‑10. Formerly 2.40.100.]
2.40.100 Entry on adjacent property.
It shall be lawful for any fire department employee to enter upon adjacent property in the vicinity of any immediate fire for the purpose of extinguishing a fire. [Ord. 2007-03 § 8; Ord. 2004‑11 § 1; Ord. 93-01 § 1; prior code § 3-3-11. Formerly 2.40.110.]
2.40.110 Investigation of fires and explosions.
The fire chief or department designee by the fire chief shall make investigations of any fire or explosion, or attempted fire or explosion. [Ord. 2007-03 § 9; Ord. 2004-11 § 1. Formerly 2.40.120.]
2.40.120 Evidence of criminal acts.
The fire chief shall furnish to law enforcement officers any evidence of criminal acts. [Ord. 2007‑03 § 10; Ord. 2004-11 § 1. Formerly 2.40.130.]