Chapter 2.28
FIRE DEPARTMENT*
Sections:
2.28.005 Creation and purpose.
2.28.030 Fire chief – Appointment and term.
2.28.040 Fire chief – Powers and duties.
2.28.080 Officers – Police authority at fires.
2.28.085 Firefighter position – Established.
2.28.120 Per diem – Compensation.
2.28.140 Apparatus – Hiring or letting out prohibited – Exception.
2.28.160 Assistant fire chief – Powers and duties.
2.28.170 Firefighter/paramedic.
*For statutory provisions on town fire apparatus, see RCW 35.27.370(6).
2.28.005 Creation and purpose.
There is created in the town of Eatonville a fire department, to be known as the Eatonville fire/EMS department. The purpose of this department is to safeguard the lives and property of the community from fire and other peril. (Ord. 2011-15 § 1, 2011).
2.28.010 Members.
The fire department created under this chapter shall consist of a fire chief and as many other officer positions and firefighter positions as are or may be approved by the town council. (Ord. 2011-15 § 2, 2011; Ord. 92-12 § 9, 1992).
2.28.020 Company defined.
Repealed by Ord. 2011-15. (Ord. 108 § 1 Art. 1, 1934).
2.28.030 Fire chief – Appointment and term.
A position of fire chief is established, with compensation to be set by ordinance at the time of adoption of the annual budget. The fire chief shall serve full time, shall be appointed by the mayor, and shall serve at the discretion of the mayor. (Ord. 2011-15 § 3, 2011; Ord. 92-12 § 9, 1992; Ord. 108 § 2 Art. 1, 1934).
2.28.040 Fire chief – Powers and duties.
The fire chief, under the direction of the mayor, is head of the Eatonville fire/EMS department and shall have the duties and responsibilities as set forth herein. The duties of the fire chief are as follows:
A. Carries out supervisory responsibility in accordance with town of Eatonville policies, procedures and applicable laws including: interviewing, hiring and training, planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining members; addressing complaints and resolving problems;
B. Plans long-range goals, objectives, organizational structure, and overall direction for the Eatonville fire/EMS department;
C. Monitors, reviews, and communicates the implementation phases of the Eatonville fire/EMS department’s strategic plans to ensure that long-range goals and objectives are met;
D. To cause all fires to be extinguished with the least possible danger to life and property and to the extent possible to prevent unnecessary damage by water at fires; however, the town shall not have any liability under this section for any damage caused by excessive water damage;
E. Plans and implements short-term or annual goals, objectives, and strategies for the Eatonville fire/EMS department to ensure efficient organization and completion of work;
F. Plans, allocates, and monitors time, people, equipment, and other resources for the town of Eatonville to ensure efficient organization and completion of work;
G. Plans for the staffing needs of the Eatonville fire/EMS department, coordinates the hiring process, and is responsible for the assignment of all Eatonville fire/EMS department personnel;
H. Plans, coordinates, assigns and monitors performance and coaches, counsels, mentors, trains, and advises members in Eatonville fire/EMS department for the dual goals of meeting Eatonville fire/EMS department goals and member career development;
I. Confers with the town of Eatonville administration to keep them informed on key issues and progress toward objectives and to gain their support and approval; makes recommendations to assist the administration in making needed improvements;
J. Signs official and other documents to approve or ensure information adequacy, accuracy, and legitimacy;
K. Maintains and upgrades professional knowledge, skills, and development by attending seminars and training programs and reading trade and professional journals and publications;
L. Supervises special assignments as requested, to include researching and preparing reports and projects, developing and implementing programs, and presenting technical data to administration, elected officials, and others;
M. Represents the town of Eatonville at various functions such as making speeches at civic and business associations, meeting with influential persons within the community, developers, officials, citizens, and representatives of the press, to establish goodwill and resolve/respond to issues;
N. Collects, analyzes, recommends, and reports on data concerning budget preparation, grant administration, personnel analysis, etc.;
O. Secures, justifies, and monitors use of budgetary monies and capital;
P. Operates assigned vehicles in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations;
Q. The chief is authorized and empowered to inspect from time to time, all buildings and premises where accumulations of combustible materials or other hazardous conditions are liable to exist, and to issue such changes and recommendations required for compliance with current town fire codes. For purposes of inspection, he/she is empowered to enter any and all buildings and premises at any reasonable hour, subject to federal and state law, including but not limited to the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution, and Article I, Section 7 of the Washington Constitution;
R. Any additional duties as set forth by the mayor and town council, which shall be on file with the town clerk and maintained as set forth in EMC 2.30.010. (Ord. 2011-15 § 4, 2011; Ord. 92-12 § 11, 1992; Ord. 108 § 2 Art. 2, 1934).
2.28.050 Assistant fire chief – Appointment – Term.
Repealed by Ord. 2011-15. (Ord. 92-12 § 12, 1992; Ord. 108 § 3 Art. 1, 1934).
2.28.060 Assistant fire chief – Eligibility.
Repealed by Ord. 2011-15. (Ord. 92-12 § 13, 1992; Ord. 108 § 3 Art. 3, 1934).
2.28.070 Assistant fire chief – Powers and duties.
Repealed by Ord. 2011-15. (Ord. 92-12 § 14, 1992; Ord. 108 § 3 Art. 3, 1934).
2.28.080 Officers – Police authority at fires.
The fire chief and his/her assistants or officers in command at any fire are invested with full and complete police authority, and are authorized and directed to require and secure the removal of any and all obstructions in front of and around fire hydrants, and for that purpose are authorized to call upon the head of any municipal departments for aid and assistance in securing such removal of obstructions. (Ord. 92-12 § 15, 1992; Ord. 108 § 4 Art. 1, 1934).
2.28.085 Firefighter position – Established.
A new position of fire department firefighter is established, with duties to be set by the mayor, and compensation to be set by ordinance at the time of adoption of the annual budget. The firefighter shall be appointed by the fire chief, with consent of the mayor. The duties of the firefighter shall be on file with the town clerk and maintained as set forth in EMC 2.30.010. (Ord. 2011-15 § 5, 2011; Ord. 2009-09 § 1, 2009).
2.28.090 Firefighters – Response to alarm.
Repealed by Ord. 2011-15. (Ord. 92-12 § 16, 1992; Ord. 108 § 5 Art. 1, 1934).
2.28.100 Firefighters – Training on apparatus.
Repealed by Ord. 2011-15. (Ord. 92-12 § 18, 1992; Ord. 108 § 5 Art. 2, 1934).
2.28.110 Firefighters – Firefighting duties.
Repealed by Ord. 2011-15. (Ord. 92-12 § 17, 1992; Ord. 108 § 5 Art. 3, 1934).
2.28.120 Per diem – Compensation.
Eatonville fire/EMS volunteers will be reimbursed for their activities via the “point system.” No volunteer firefighter or EMS worker shall receive a salary for work performed while volunteering.
Volunteer firefighters will receive points as follows:
|
Fire, EMS & Public Safety Incidents |
1 point |
|
Fire, EMS & Related Training < 3 hrs. |
1 point |
|
Fire, EMS & Related Training 3 to 6 hrs. |
2 points |
|
Fire, EMS & Related Training 6 to 8 hrs. |
3 points |
|
Special Events or Assignments < 4 hrs. |
2 points |
|
Training Instructor |
2 points |
|
Station Standby |
1 point/3 hours in station |
The total of all points accrued by all volunteers will be divided into the quarterly budgeted allotment to determine the value of one point. The value of one point is then multiplied by the number of points each volunteer accrued during the quarter to determine individual compensation.
Example: The total of all accrued points for all the volunteers for the quarter is 100. The budgeted amount for the quarter is $500.00. Five hundred divided by 100 makes the value of each point $5.00.
Firefighter volunteer Jon Doe responded on six emergency incidents and attended two two-hour training sessions and one special event. Jon has accrued 10 points for the quarter. Jon has earned $5.00 times 10 points, so Jon earned $50.00 for the quarter.
Volunteers transporting and assisting in patient care, in an ambulance, shall be compensated at the rate of $50.00 per transport to the hospital and $25.00 for transport to meet ALS ambulances.
Point system compensation will be paid quarterly, at the end of the month following the end of the quarter. Transport compensation will be paid monthly. (Ord. 2011-15 § 6, 2011; Ord. 2010-05 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2008-11 § 1, 2008; Ord. 2000-17 § 1, 2000; Ord. 96-12 § 1, 1996; Ord. 96-3 § 1, 1996; Ord. 92-12 § 19, 1992; Ord. 108 § 6, Art. 1, 1934).
2.28.130 Entry to firehouse.
No person shall be allowed to enter any firehouse unless accompanied by an active member of the department. (Ord. 2011-15 § 7, 2011; Ord. 108 § 7 Art. 1, 1934).
2.28.140 Apparatus – Hiring or letting out prohibited – Exception.
No fire equipment or apparatus shall be rented, leased, borrowed, loaned, or let out for hire, except on consent of the mayor and the fire chief. (Ord. 2011-15 § 8, 2011; Ord. 92-12 § 20, 1992; Ord. 108 § 7, Art. 2, 1934).
2.28.150 Fire chief – Salary.
Repealed by Ord. 2011-15. (Ord. 92-12 § 21, 1992; Ord. 84-3 § 1, 1984).
2.28.160 Assistant fire chief – Powers and duties.
A new position of assistant fire chief is established, with duties to be set by the mayor, and compensation to be set by ordinance at the time of adoption of the annual budget. The assistant fire chief is authorized, empowered and required to carry out the duties of fire chief, in his/her absence, or any portion of such duties and he/she may be ordered to do by the fire chief. The assistant chief shall be appointed by the fire chief, with consent of the mayor. The duties of the assistant fire chief shall be on file with the town clerk and maintained as set forth in EMC 2.30.010. (Ord. 2011-15 § 9, 2011; Ord. 2008-14 § 1, 2008).
2.28.170 Firefighter/paramedic.
A new position of fire department firefighter/paramedic is established, with duties to be set by the mayor, and compensation to be set by ordinance at the time of adoption of the annual budget. The firefighter/paramedic shall be appointed by the fire chief, with consent of the mayor. The duties of the firefighter/paramedic shall be on file with the town clerk and maintained as set forth in EMC 2.30.010. (Ord. 2011-15 § 10, 2011; Ord. 2008-17 § 1, 2008).