Chapter 2.36
VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
Sections:
2.36.010 Established--Membership and organization.
2.36.020 Fire chief--Office created, appointment, removal and duties.
2.36.030 Policies, rules and regulations.
2.36.040 Equipment and apparatus.
2.36.050 Volunteer Firefighters’ and Reserve Officers’ Relief and Pension Act.
2.36.060 Board of trustees--Composition--Meetings.
2.36.090 Officers--Police authority at fires.
2.36.100 Mutual aid systems--Contracts with other governmental jurisdictions.
2.36.010 Established--Membership and organization.
There is created and established in and for the city of Goldendale a fire department, to be known and designated as the Goldendale volunteer fire department (the department). Such department shall consist of a fire chief and officers and members selected as provided in this chapter. Membership in the Goldendale fire department shall not exceed twenty members for each one thousand population of the city. (Ord. 1457 §2(part), 2015; Ord. 1373 §1(part), 2008: Ord. 1372 §1(part), 2008)
2.36.015 Definitions.
A. “Regular member” means a firefighter in good standing and over the age of eighteen.
B. “Junior member” means a firefighter in good standing between the ages of sixteen and eighteen. (Ord. 1373 §1(part), 2008)
2.36.020 Fire chief--Office created, appointment, removal and duties.
A. The department shall be under the control and direction of the fire chief, which office is hereby provided for and constituted.
B. The fire chief shall be appointed by the mayor, which appointment shall be subject to confirmation by a majority vote of the city council.
C. The fire chief shall have the authority, with the consent of the mayor, to appoint any other officers to positions established by city ordinance as the fire chief deems necessary.
D. The fire chief shall be responsible to the mayor and city council for the safe operation and general efficiency of the department.
E. The powers and duties of the fire chief shall be as provided by this chapter and the department policies, as approved by the city council, and shall include, at a minimum, the following:
1. The formation of a set of policies, rules and regulations to operate the department.
2. The establishment and implementation of suitable drills or instructions in the operation and handling of equipment, first aid and rescue work, salvage, fire prevention, water supplies or any other matters considered essential to protection of life and property.
3. The maintenance of up-to-date records and records relating to activities of the department. The fire chief shall submit to the mayor an annual report relating the general condition of the department and recommendations for any improvements or changes in the department. The fire chief shall submit any additional reports or information as requested by the mayor and/or city council.
4. The administration of an annual budget.
5. The inspection, from time to time, of 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 city fire codes. For purposes of inspection, the fire chief is empowered to enter any and all buildings and premises at any reasonable hour.
6. The selection, appointment, and supervision of officers, subject to the approval of the mayor. Appointed officers must be in good standing with the department. The fire chief may discipline, suspend and/or remove an officer of the department at any time, with or without cause, as deemed necessary for the good of the department. All personnel decisions and actions must be consistent with city of Goldendale personnel policy. (Ord. 1457 §2(part), 2015; Ord. 1373 §1(part), 2008: Ord. 1372 §1(part), 2008)
2.36.030 Policies, rules and regulations.
The department may adopt such policies, rules, and regulations as it deems necessary regarding governing the administration of the department, and the care and use of equipment; and such policies, rules, and regulations shall comply with the provisions of any applicable city ordinances and with state law, and generally be in accord with the policies of the National Fire Insurance Underwriters. Such policies, rules and regulations as adopted by the department shall be approved by the city council. (Ord. 1373 §1(part), 2008)
2.36.040 Equipment and apparatus.
A. The department shall be equipped with such apparatus and equipment as may be required to maintain its efficiency and to protect life and property. Recommendations of the apparatus and equipment needed shall be made by the fire chief and, if approved by the city council, shall be purchased in such manner as designated by the city council.
B. All equipment of the department purchased by or donated to the city shall be owned by the city and housed in such places as may be designated by the council and be under the control of the fire chief.
C. Any equipment loaned to the department by governmental entities, with which the city contracts for protection of life and property, shall be housed in such places as may be designated by the city council and be under the control of the fire chief.
D. No person shall use any fire apparatus or equipment for any private purpose, nor shall any person willfully and without proper authority take away or conceal any article used by the department. (Ord. 1457 §2(part), 2015; Ord. 1373 §1(part), 2008: Ord. 1372 §1(part), 2008)
2.36.050 Volunteer Firefighters’ and Reserve Officers’ Relief and Pension Act.
A. Every regular and junior member of the department may be enrolled in the relief and pension provisions of Chapter 41.24 RCW, Volunteer Firefighters’ and Reserve Officers’ Relief and Pension Act, as it is presently enacted or may be hereafter amended, for the purpose of providing protection for such members and their families from death or disability arising from the performance of their duties.
B. Every regular and junior member of the department shall have the option to avail himself of the retirement provisions of Chapter 41.24 RCW, provided such regular member shall successfully serve a probationary period of twelve months prior to being permitted to enroll.
C. Every regular and junior member, who meets the minimum requirements as established by the fire chief and is in good standing with the department, is eligible for full benefits under the State Board of Volunteer Firemen and Reserve Officers Relief and Pension Act.
D. On or about the last working day of February each year, the city clerk shall remit and pay to the State Board of Volunteer Firemen and Reserve Officers all sums authorized to be paid by the city into the volunteer firefighters’ and reserve officers’ relief and pension fund under applicable state statutes. (Ord. 1457 §2(part), 2015; Ord. 1373 §1(part), 2008: Ord. 1372 §1(part), 2008)
2.36.060 Board of trustees--Composition--Meetings.
The board of trustees as created and established by RCW 41.24.060 for the administration of Chapter 41.24 RCW is recognized as consisting of the mayor, the city clerk, one council member other than the mayor, the fire chief, and one member of the department to be elected by the regular members for one year and annually thereafter. The board shall schedule and have a regular monthly meeting, provided there is business to be transacted. (Ord. 1457 §2(part), 2015; Ord. 1373 §1(part), 2008: Ord. 1372 §1(part), 2008)
2.36.070 Compensation.
A. Each member of the fire department who attends any drill/training for a minimum of two hours, responds to an incident within the city limits of the city of Goldendale or responds to an incident under a mutual aid agreement and remains subject to the orders of the fire chief until dismissed by him or his designee shall receive compensation as determined by the mayor and approved by the city council.
B. The deputy fire chief and assistant fire chief of the department shall be paid a wage as determined by the mayor and approved by the city council. (Ord. 1457 §2(part), 2015; Ord. 1373 §1(part), 2008: Ord. 1372 §1(part), 2008)
2.36.080 Finances.
The city council shall appropriate funds to provide for the operation of the department to maintain efficiency and provide for protection of life and property. Any funds received as a donation for services performed by the department for protection of life and property shall be deposited with the department and appropriated as recommended by the fire chief and approved by the city council. (Ord. 1457 §2(part), 2015; Ord. 1373 §1(part), 2008: Ord. 1372 §1(part), 2008)
2.36.090 Officers--Police authority at fires.
The fire chief 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 department for aid and assistance in securing such removal of obstructions. (Ord. 1457 §2(part), 2015; Ord. 1373 §1(part), 2008: Ord. 1372 §1(part), 2008)
2.36.100 Mutual aid systems--Contracts with other governmental jurisdictions.
The city is authorized to enter into agreements or contracts with other governmental jurisdictions to provide protection of life and property with the recommendation of the fire chief. (Ord. 1457 §2(part), 2015; Ord. 1373 §1(part), 2008: Ord. 1372 §1(part), 2008)