Chapter 2.15
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Sections:
2.15.010 Department created – Regulations.
2.15.020 Officers and their duties.
Prior legislation: Ord. 4-4-74.
2.15.010 Department created – Regulations.
A. The fire department shall consist of a fire chief and assistant chief (or chiefs), and as many other officers and firemen as may be deemed necessary for the effective operation of the department.
B. The fire chief shall be the chief executive officer of the fire department and shall be appointed by the town council for an indefinite period of time, with tenure of office dependent upon his good conduct and efficiency. He shall be technically qualified through training and experience and shall have the ability to command men.
C. The fire chief shall appoint all other officers and firemen. Such appointments shall be, insofar as possible, following fair and impartial competitive examination. All officers shall be accountable to the fire chief or his representative.
D. The fire chief shall carry out strictly the enforcement of rules and regulations of the department as hereinafter referred to, and is authorized to suspend or remove from service any officer or fireman as provided in the referred to rules and regulations.
E. The fire chief shall be responsible to the town council of the town of Manila, and shall, on or before June 1st of each year, confer with the town’s budget officer about a tentative budget that may be included in the town’s annual general fund budget for the fire department.
F. When possible, all premises on which fires occur shall be left in a condition which will most readily permit reoccupancy; insofar as possible, premises shall also be left in such condition that they will not rekindle or cause further damage to life and property.
G. The fire chief and his duly appointed representatives are hereby authorized and empowered to inspect, from time to time, all buildings and premises other than dwellings, and may suggest such changes or eliminations of hazardous conditions that may exist in violation of town fire prevention ordinances. For the purpose of inspection, the fire chief and his representatives, or either of them, are hereby empowered to enter any and all buildings and premises, at any reasonable hour, for courtesy inspections.
H. The fire chief shall maintain and enforce an up-to-date, comprehensive set of rules and regulations governing the discipline, training and operation of the fire department. Such rules or regulations and any deletions, changes or additions shall be effective when approved by, and filed with, the town council of the town of Manila.
I. The fire department shall be equipped with such apparatus and other fire fighting equipment as may be required to maintain its efficiency. Suitable arrangements and equipment shall be provided for citizens to turn in an alarm of fire, and for notifying all members of the department, so that they may promptly respond.
J. The fire chief shall, at least one time per month, provide for suitable drills covering the operation and handling of all equipment essential for efficient department operation. In addition, he shall provide, at least one time per month, instruction in first aid, water supplies, and other related subjects, generally considered essential to good firemanship. [Ord. 4-16-87B §§ 1 – 10; Ord. 11-2-64 §§ 1 – 10.]
2.15.020 Officers and their duties.
A. Officers and Their Duties.
1. Chief: training – fire department – rescue squad;
2. Assistant chief: training – fire fighters;
3. Captain: rolling equipment – trucks – hose, etc.;
4. Lieutenant: stationary equipment – station house, hydrants, etc.
B. Duties of Chief.
1. The chief shall formulate a set of rules and regulations to govern the department and shall be responsible to the town council for the personnel, morale, and general efficiency of the department.
2. 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.
3. Any person so served with a notice to abate any fire hazard or hazards shall comply therewith and promptly notify the chief. [Ord. 4-16-87A § 1; Ord. 2-1-73 § 1.]
2.15.030 Membership.
A. Membership of the department shall consist of persons as may be accepted by the chief and voted on by the membership. Three negative votes shall disqualify membership. The vote shall be not less than 90 days after new applicant applies, with a limit of 120 days. All members will be Class 2 firemen for a probationary period of 10 regular monthly meetings. At this time Class 2 firemen may be promoted to Class 1 by the fire chief.
B. Any member of the department may be suspended or discharged from the department by the chief at any time he may deem such action necessary for the good of the department. On written request of such member to the town council, he shall be given a public hearing on the charges brought by the chief.
C. Any member absent from three consecutive meetings and drills without permission from the chief shall be dropped from Class 1 to Class 2 fireman.
D. All firemen must have a current driver’s license.
E. Duties of firemen Class 1 include work capability in these categories:
1. Clothes and necessary equipment for safety.
2. Nozzlemen.
3. Engineer.
4. Firefighter – Search and rescue.
5. Command of Class 2 firemen.
F. Duties of firemen Class 2:
1. Hose lays.
2. Assist Class 1.
3. Maintain security boundaries. [Ord. 4-16-87A § 2; Ord. 2-1-73 § 2.]
2.15.040 Equipment.
A. 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 permission of an officer or authorized member of the department.
B. The fire chief is hereby authorized to enter into agreements or contracts with governing bodies of other organizations, with the approval of the town council, to provide fire protection or to establish mutual aid.
C. All firemen will help maintain equipment (trucks, hoses, airpacks, etc.) [Ord. 4-16-87A § 3; Ord. 2-1-73 § 3.]
2.15.050 Generally.
A. All motor equipment and all personal cars of department members shall have right-of-way over all other traffic when responding to an alarm.
B. No person shall park any vehicle or otherwise cause any obstruction to be placed within 20 feet of the entrance to any fire station or other place where fire apparatus is stored, or within 10 feet of any fire hydrant.
C. No unauthorized person with any vehicle shall follow within 600 feet of any apparatus belonging to the department, nor park any vehicle within 300 feet of a fire.
D. No person shall maliciously turn in or cause to be turned in a false alarm.
E. No person not a member of the department, unless authorized by a department officer, shall be allowed to ride on the apparatus or to handle equipment. [Ord. 4-16-87A § 4; Ord. 2-1-73 § 4.]
2.15.060 Enforcement.
A. Any person in violation of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction before a justice of the peace, pay a fine of not less than $25.00 nor more than $1,000 for each offense.
B. All regularly appointed members of the department are hereby given the necessary special powers for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this chapter.
C. It is hereby made the special duty of the chief of police and/or other peace officers who may be on duty and available for fire duty to respond to all fire 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. 4-16-87A § 5; Ord. 2-1-73 § 5.]
2.15.070 Meetings.
The regular meetings and drills of the department shall be held on the first Wednesday of each month at the fire station. [Ord. 4-16-87A § 6; Ord. 2-1-73 § 6.]
2.15.080 Charge time rates.
A. Findings. The Manila fire department responds to fire suppression and/or emergency response calls which incur costs rightfully reimbursed by those responsible for the emergency response. This responsibility is deemed incurred when an action or an inaction by a responsible individual or individuals has directly caused the fire or emergency and the subsequent response of the Manila fire department.
The Manila town council believes the costs incurred by the taxpayers of the town of Manila for response to fire suppression and/or emergency calls caused by a responsible party’s action or inaction should be reimbursed.
The Manila town council has determined a fair rate to be charged for Manila fire department personnel and equipment when responding to fire suppression and/or emergency response calls.
B. The Manila town council, by majority affirmation, has decided a responsible individual or individuals who incur Manila fire department response to fire suppression and/or emergency calls due to an action or inaction will reimburse the taxpayers of the town of Manila for personnel and equipment costs.
C. Town of Manila Fire Department Charge Time Rates. The Manila town council, by unanimous resolution, amended the charge time rates for the Manila fire department. These rate categories outline the specific charges deemed appropriate for fire department personnel and equipment. This council-generated rate change amended the previous policy charge time as of April 16, 1987.
1. Personnel and Equipment Rates.
a. Large fire truck: $100.00 per hour;
b. Small fire truck: $75.00 per hour;
c. Six-by-six pumper truck: $100.00 per hour;
d. Fire personnel (per person): $16.50 per hour;
e. Travel time (per fire unit): $50.00 per hour.
All rates will be adjusted and charged for partial hours.
2. Lot Abatement and Burn Rates. Special requests for nonemergency abatements of lots or buildings are charged according to the above-listed personnel and equipment rates. Abatement burns used for training Manila fire personnel will be performed without charge at the direction of the fire department chief. [Res. 12-16-99; Ord. 4-16-87B.]