CHAPTER 3
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Sections:
3-3-101 Creation of Department.
3-3-102 Officers of Department.
3-3-109 Removal of Obstructions.
3-3-111 Investigation of Fire.
3-3-112 Conformance with State Law.
3-3-101 Creation of Department.
There is hereby established a Fire Department and Ambulance Service in the City to be known as the Springville Fire and Rescue Department, hereafter referred to as “Department.”
The members of the Department who are volunteers may adopt by-laws, and such other rules and regulations as may be necessary for the effective operation of the Springville Fire and Rescue Association, hereafter referred to as “Association,” including requirements for membership therein. All such rules and regulations governing the operation of the Springville Fire and Rescue Department and the Springville Fire and Rescue Association shall be approved by the Director of Public Safety, Fire Chief and City Council.
(Statutory Authority UCA 10-8-55; 1968 Code 1-19-1; amended in codification 1979; 1979 Code 3-3-1; Ord. No. 07-2011, 04/19/2011)
3-3-102 Officers of Department.
Under the direction of the Director of the Department of Public Safety, the officers of the Department shall be a Fire Chief, who shall be a full-time employee of the City, and such other officers as may be selected by the Fire Chief. Leaders of the Association shall be elected or appointed annually or as specified in the Association by-laws.
(1968 Code 1-19-2; 1979 Code 3-3-2; amended by Ordinance No. 22-85; Ord. No. 07-2011, 04/19/2011)
3-3-103 Full-Time Employees.
In addition to the volunteer members of the Fire Department, the Fire Chief may employ such full-time personnel, with approval of the City Council, as the interests of the City may require. Full-time employees shall be under the supervision of and responsible to the Fire Chief, and shall keep all engines, hoses and other fire-fighting apparatus in proper condition for immediate use, and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Fire Chief or Director of Public Safety. The Association by-laws do not apply to full-time or part-time paid members of the Department.
(1968 Code 1-19-3; amended in codification 1979; 1979 Code 3-3-3; amended by Ord. No. 22-85; Ord. No. 07-2011, 04/19/2011)
3-3-104 Duties of Department.
The Department, under the direction of the Fire Chief, shall have the duty of extinguishing fires and of protecting life and property within the City. The Fire Chief shall have the sole and entire command over all officers and members of the Department at fires, and in his or her absence the highest ranking officer of the Department at the fire or medical incident shall have command. The Fire Department may periodically inspect business establishments to check for fire hazards, may at the request or with the permission of the owner inspect private homes for fire hazards and may divide the City into fire districts. The volunteer members of the Department shall also assist the full-time personnel employed by the City in keeping the fire-fighting apparatus in proper condition for immediate use.
(1968 Code 1-19-4; amended in codification 1979; 1979 Code 3-3-4; amended by Ord. No. 22-85; Ord. No. 07-2011, 04/19/2011)
3-3-105 Remuneration.
Compensation for all members of the Department shall be fixed by resolution of the City Council from time to time.
(1968 Code 1-19-5; 1979 Code 3-3-5; Ord. No. 07-2011, 04/19/2011)
3-3-106 Right-of-Way.
City fire trucks and ambulance vehicles are hereby declared to be emergency vehicles and shall have all of the rights-of-way and exemptions from traffic regulations that are provided by State law.
(1968 Code 1-19-6; 1979 Code 3-3-6; amended by Ordinance No. 6-81; Ord. No. 07-2011, 04/19/2011)
3-3-107 May Blockade Streets.
Whenever a fire shall occur, it shall be lawful for the Fire Chief or the officer in command to blockade any street, avenue, alley, sidewalk, or other place if in his or her judgment it is necessary to secure the efficient working of the members of the Department, hose, engines, or hook and ladder apparatus under his or her command, and to protect the hose of said department from injury. It shall be unlawful for any person to break through said blockade.
(1968 Code 1-19-7; 1979 Code 3-3-7; Ord. No. 07-2011, 04/19/2011)
3-3-108 Right of Entry.
The members of the Fire Department shall have the right to enter upon any premises for the purpose of investigating, extinguishing, or controlling fires.
(1968 Code 1-19-8; 1979 Code 3-3-8; Ord. No. 07-2011, 04/19/2011)
3-3-109 Removal of Obstructions.
When a fire is in progress, the Fire Chief, or in his or her absence the officer in charge, may order the removal or destruction of any building, fence, or any telephone, telegraph or electric light poles or wires or any other obstruction in order to prevent the progress of the fire, but neither the Fire Chief nor any other officer or member of the Department shall unnecessarily or recklessly destroy or injure any building or other property.
(1968 Code 1-19-9; 1979 Code 3-3-9; Ord. No. 07-2011, 04/19/2011)
3-3-110 Use of Water.
The Fire Chief, or other officer in charge, shall have the right to use water from any source for the purpose of extinguishing fires or for saving property in danger of being destroyed by fire.
(1968 Code 1-19-10; 1979 Code 3-3-10; Ord. No. 07-2011, 04/19/2011)
3-3-111 Investigation of Fire.
The Fire Chief, or other officer in charge of the fire, shall, after its extinguishment, make a prompt and thorough investigation of the cause of the fire and shall make a written report on each incident. If the officer making this investigation determines that the fire appears to be of suspicious origin, he may notify the State Fire Marshal to that effect.
(Statutory Authority UCA 63-29-20; 1968 Code 1-19-11; amended in codification 1979; 1979 Code 3-3-11; amended by Ordinance No. 25-02; Ord. No. 07-2011, 04/19/2011)
3-3-112 Conformance with State Law.
The ambulance service established by this Chapter shall conform to the minimum standards for ambulance services as set forth in Title 26, Chapter 8A, Utah Code Annotated 1953, as amended. The fire services established by this Chapter shall conform to the minimum standards for fire service as set forth by State law or the Utah Fire and Rescue Academy.
(Ord. No. 07-2011, 04/19/2011)