Chapter 2.12
VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
Sections:
2.12.030 Members – Organization.
2.12.040 Fire Chief – Assistant Fire Chief – Powers and duties.
2.12.050 Members – Duties – Disciplinary action.
2.12.060 Members – Identification.
2.12.010 Established.
There is established a volunteer fire department in the City, to be known as the “Airway Heights Fire Department.” (Ord. 81 § 1, 1963)
2.12.020 Board of trustees.
A. There is created a board of trustees with the volunteer firemen’s relief and compensation fund, consisting of the City Manager, the City Clerk-Treasurer, one member of the City Council elected by the Council, the Chief of the Fire Department and one member of the Department to be elected by the members thereof, for a term of one year annually thereafter. The City Manager shall be ex officio chairman and the City Clerk-Treasurer shall be secretary-treasurer.
B. The board of trustees of the Fire Department shall enroll all members of the Fire Department with the State Board for Volunteer Firemen as required by the laws of the state of Washington for the purpose of providing protection for said members and their families in the event of disability or death arising in the performance of their duties as firemen.
C. The board shall hold a regular monthly meeting on the second Monday of each month. Additional meetings shall be called by the chairman as required by business of the board. (Ord. 81 § 7, 1963)
2.12.030 Members – Organization.
The personnel of the Airway Heights Fire Department shall consist of a Fire Chief, one Assistant Chief, and two captains for membership under 30 volunteers. A third captain will be appointed when membership is over 30 volunteers. The membership of the Fire Department shall not exceed 25 volunteer firefighters for each 1,000 population or fraction thereof. The Fire Chief shall be appointed and removed at the will of the City Manager. All officer positions shall pass a skills and knowledge test given by the Fire Chief. The positions of firefighter through Assistant Chief shall be selected from such persons as volunteer and remain in good standing with Department rules and regulations. The Fire Chief in his/her sole discretion may appoint and remove the officers under his command. (Ord. C-136 § 1, 1987; Ord. 188 § 1(a), 1978; Ord. 114 § 1, 1968; Ord. 81 § 2, 1963)
2.12.040 Fire Chief – Assistant Fire Chief – Powers and duties.
A. The Fire Chief shall be the chief executive officer of the Fire Department and is invested with the following authorities and duties:
1. To have the direct control, management and direction of all officers and firefighters of the Fire Department and the power to detail them to such service as he may see fit during fire drills and firefighting;
2. To exercise command over the Department at fires and over all fire equipment belonging to the City;
3. To observe the general condition of the Department and its apparatus and equipment, and to make reports to the City Manager and the Council at such times as they may call for same;
4. To make a complete investigation of each fire, keep a record of and determine the cause, amount of loss of building and contents, amount of insurance coverage, description of each building damaged or destroyed, together with names of owners and occupants;
5. a. The Fire Chief, by himself or by his designated representative, shall inspect premises within the City at any reasonable hour after a reasonable notice to the occupant and owner thereof, to determine the existence of any fire hazards and/or any violation of the provisions of the ordinances of the City of Airway Heights relating to buildings and construction;
b. Should any owner or occupant of premises deny access by the Fire Chief or his designated representative to such premises for the purpose of inspection, then upon good cause shown that the Fire Chief or his designated representative has reasonable grounds to believe that fire hazard(s) and/or violations of the ordinances of the City exist on said premises, a warrant authorizing the inspection of such premises shall be issued by the police justice directing the inspection of such premises by the Fire Chief or his designated representative to determine the existence of fire hazard(s) and/or violations of the ordinances of the City;
6. To formulate rules and regulations to govern the Department and to be responsible to the City Manager and Council for the personnel management and general efficiency of the Department.
B. The Assistant Chiefs shall rank next to the Fire Chief, and they shall take complete charge in the absence of the Fire Chief and have the same authority and duties while so acting and shall assist the Fire Chief on all matters for which he requires their assistance. (Ord. 188 § 1(b, c), 1978; Ord. 114 § 1, 1968; Ord. 81 § 2, 1963)
2.12.050 Members – Duties – Disciplinary action.
All members of the Fire Department shall report promptly for duty on the sounding of a fire alarm and obey all rules and regulations of the Department. Any member of the Department may be suspended or discharged 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 board of trustees, he shall be given a public hearing on the charges brought by the Chief. (Ord. 81 § 4, 1963)
2.12.060 Members – Identification.
Each member of the Department shall be issued a badge designating his rank. (Ord. 188 § 2, 1978; Ord. 81 § 6, 1963)
2.12.070 Compensation.
Compensation to be paid to the City Fire Chief and other members of the volunteer Fire Department shall be as provided for in the budget ordinance passed October 7, 1963, any amendments thereto and any future budget ordinances. (Ord. 81 § 5, 1963)