Chapter 2.28 FIRE DEPARTMENT

The fire department shall consist of a chief, one assistant chief and three captains, and as many firemen of the age of 18 years and older and residents of the city or vicinity thereof at the time of their election to membership as are or may be elected to membership in the department. (Ord. 1069 § 1, 1982; 1964 code § 1.12.010).

2.28.020 Approval of election and resignation of firemen.

The names of all persons elected to membership by the department shall be approved by the board of fire officers previous to being presented. (Ord. 1069 § 2, 1982; 1964 code § 1.12.020).

2.28.030 Retirement age and procedure.

Any member of the department who has arrived at the age of 65 years may be retired from service by the board of fire officers, by and with the consent of the city council, and, in like manner, any member who becomes physically or mentally unfit for active service may be retired from service. (Ord. 1069 § 3, 1982; 1964 code § 1.12.040).

2.28.040 Board of fire officers – Meetings – Duties – Election of officers.

The chief, assistant chief and three captains shall constitute a board of fire officers who shall meet monthly or more frequently for the transaction of all business of the department, which board shall have entire and absolute control over and management of the department and its government when such department is not upon active duty, subject to the approval of the city council, to which approval the acts of said board of fire officers shall only be subject as herein particularly and specifically provided. The chief shall act as president of the board of fire officers and the membership of the department shall, annually in January of each year, elect one of the remaining members of the board to act as secretary for the department for the ensuing year and said secretary shall also act as secretary of the board of fire officers. (Ord. 1069 § 4, 1982; 1964 code § 1.12.030).

2.28.050 Board of fire officers – Adoption of bylaws.

The board of fire officers is authorized, empowered and required from time to time to adopt a code of bylaws and rules for the control, management and government of the department and for the regulating of the proceedings and business of the board, which code or codes of bylaws and rules, after adoption by such board, shall not become effective and operative until presented to and approved by the city council. (1964 code § 1.12.050).

2.28.060 Board of fire officers – Right of entry for inspection.

The board of fire officers is authorized, empowered and required to inspect from time to time, but at least twice annually, all buildings and premises where accumulations of combustible materials or other hazardous conditions are liable to exist, and to order such changes or removals as in their opinion are necessary to safety from fire. For purposes of inspection, they are empowered to enter any and all buildings and premises at any reasonable hours. (1964 code § 1.12.060).

2.28.070 Board of fire officers – Records required.

The board of officers is required to devise forms or methods of keeping records and shall see that records are kept of all alarms of fire, fire losses, methods of extinguishment, drills, hose, apparatus, minor equipment and condition of hydrants. (1964 code § 1.12.070).

2.28.080 Appointment of fire chief and assistants.

A. The position of fire chief shall be excluded from the civil service pursuant to RCW 41.12.050 as presently enacted or hereafter amended. The fire chief shall be appointed by the mayor and may be removed from office by the mayor at any time with or without cause.

B. The fire chief shall appoint chief officers and assistants from the membership of the department. (Ord. 2012-20 § 1; 1964 code § 1.12.080).

2.28.090 Chief – Qualifications.

During the term of appointment, the fire chief must reside at a location from which he or she can respond to incidents within the city of Grandview in no more than 10 minutes. No member of the department shall be eligible for appointment to the position of fire chief until the member has been a member of the department for at least two years. (Ord. 2012-25 § 1; Ord. 2012-20 § 2; 1964 code § 1.12.090).

2.28.100 Chief – Supervision of department.

The chief shall have the general supervision of the department, which supervision shall be subject to and not conflict with such rules and bylaws for the government and management of the department as may from time to time be adopted by the board of fire officers as provided in GMC 2.28.050. (1964 code § 1.12.120).

2.28.110 Chief – Authority at fire.

In all cases of fire, the chief or, in his absence, the assistant by rank shall have full power and absolute control and command and cause the several pieces of apparatus to be worked in the most advantageous manner. (1964 code § 1.12.130).

2.28.130 Chief – Police authority.

The chief and his assistants or officers in command at any fire are vested with full and complete police authority, and hereby authorized and directed to require and secure the removal of any and all obstructions from in front of and around fire hydrants, and for the purpose are authorized to call upon the head of any of the municipal departments for aid and assistance in securing such removal of obstructions. (1964 code § 1.12.160).

2.28.140 Duties of person first arriving at fire.

Should the chief and the assistant chiefs be absent from a fire, the person having charge of the apparatus first arriving at the fire shall assume the duties of the chief until the arrival of his superior officer. (1964 code § 1.12.140).

2.28.160 Duties of volunteers.

It shall be the duty of the volunteers, as often as any fire or other emergency requiring the attention of the fire department breaks out or occurs, to repair immediately upon the alarm thereof to the respective fire houses and convey their apparatus to the place where the fire or other emergency happens, and, unless otherwise directed by the chief or other officers who may be in charge and upon such direction, they shall return their apparatus well washed and cleaned to their several places of deposit. (Ord. 1069 § 5, 1982; 1964 code § 1.12.110).

2.28.170 Maintenance of firehose.

It shall be the duty of the chief to see that volunteer firemen have all hoses thoroughly washed and dried after use at fires and drills and that no wet or dirty hose is placed on the apparatus. (Ord. 1069 § 6, 1982; 1964 code § 1.12.170).

2.28.180 Inspection and maintenance of hose and apparatus.

It shall be the duty of the chief to have all hoses and apparatus changed and inspected, if not otherwise used, and to have water run through it not less often than once each year. (Ord. 1069 § 7, 1982; 1964 code § 1.12.180).

2.28.190 Heating the firehouse.

It shall be the duty of the chief to see that the firehouse is heated during the winter season. (Ord. 1069 § 8, 1982; 1964 code § 1.12.190).

2.28.200 Pressure test required for firehose.

It shall be the duty of the chief to see that all firehoses are tested annually at a hydrostatic pressure of 250 pounds. (Ord. 1069 § 9, 1982; 1964 code § 1.12.200).

2.28.210 Reporting defective fire hydrants.

It shall be the duty of the officer in charge of any volunteer firemen at a fire or drill to report to the chief all fire hydrants that are found frozen, out of order, leaky or are set in such a manner as to make it difficult to connect thereto. (Ord. 1069 § 10, 1982; 1964 code § 1.12.210).

2.28.220 Reporting defective fire hydrants to supervisor.

It shall be the duty of the chief to make a permanent record of all reports of defective, inoperative or improperly set fire hydrants, and submit a report to the city supervisor giving the location of the hydrant, name of the maker, with a specification of the troubles. (Ord. 1069 § 11, 1982; 1964 code § 1.12.220).

2.28.230 Tampering with equipment prohibited – Exceptions.

No member of the department shall be permitted to tamper with, or fix, or repair any of the apparatus, unless so directed by the chief or, in his absence, the assistant chief. (Ord. 1069 § 12, 1982; 1964 code § 1.12.260).

2.28.240 Driving fire apparatus prohibited – Exceptions.

No member of the department shall drive the automobile apparatus, except the regularly appointed drivers, unless directed to do so by the chief or the assistant chief, and then only in the case of emergency. (Ord. 1069 § 13, 1982; 1964 code § 1.12.270).

2.28.250 Entering firehouse – Handling equipment.

No person shall be allowed to enter any firehouse or handle any apparatus or implements belonging to the department unless accompanied by an active member of the department. (1964 code § 1.12.330).

2.28.260 Removal of fire equipment.

During any fire or the report of any fire, no fire apparatus shall be taken or moved out of its house, unless the chief or assistant chiefs or any authorized fireman is present and assents thereto. (1964 code § 1.12.340).

2.28.270 Hiring out fire equipment.

No apparatus shall be let out for hire or let in any case, except upon consent of the city council and of the chief, and then only in the case of a fire in an adjacent or neighboring municipality. (1964 code § 1.12.350).

2.28.280 Appointment and qualifications of drivers.

It shall be the duty of the board of fire officers to appoint drivers for the automobile apparatus who shall be thoroughly instructed in the operation of the apparatus to which they are assigned. (1964 code § 1.12.240).

2.28.360 Fire drills – Skills to be included.

It shall be the duty of the chief or assistant chiefs to arrange the drills and training so that they will include the proper and efficient use of all appliances and apparatus, the quick handling, laying and raising of hose, handling of streams, use of shut-off nozzles, siamese connections, forcible entry tools, salvage work, ladder work, life saving and modern methods of extinguishment. (1964 code § 1.12.400).

2.28.380 Suspension or expulsion – Refusal or failure to obey orders.

Any officer, or the member having charge of any fire unit, while on fire duty, who refuses or voluntarily neglects to obey or execute any orders from the officer in charge of any fire, shall for such offense be subject to suspension or expulsion from the department by the board of fire officers in such manner and upon such hearing or trial as may be prescribed or provided by the bylaws and rules of the board of fire officers. (1964 code § 1.12.310).

2.28.390 Suspension or expulsion – Refusal or failure to be governed by bylaws.

Any member of the department who refuses or voluntarily neglects to obey or execute any orders from the officer in charge of any fire, or who violates or willfully neglects or refuses to be controlled, governed or managed by any of the rules and bylaws of the board of fire officers that may be adopted from time to time, as provided in GMC 2.28.050, shall be subject to suspension or expulsion from the department by the board of fire officers in such manner and upon such hearing or trial as may be prescribed or provided by the bylaws and rules of the board of fire officers. The suspension or expulsion of any company is subject to the approval of the city council. (1964 code § 1.12.320).

2.28.400 Suspension or expulsion – Vote of members.

If any of the units votes for expulsion or suspension of any of its members, the result of such vote shall be reported to the board of fire officers at their next meeting. (1964 code § 1.12.360).

2.28.410 Suspension or expulsion – Right of appeal.

The expelled or suspended member shall have the right to appear before the board of fire officers and state cause (if any) why such penalty should not be confirmed, and, in case of the nonappearance or in case his appeal is not sustained, the chief shall report his name to the council of the city as expelled or suspended, as the case may be. (1964 code § 1.12.370).

2.28.420 Charges against members – Trial and appeal.

All charges for offenses or neglect of duty or insubordination while on duty at a fire that may be preferred against any officer or member of the department shall be tried and determined by the board of fire officers; subject, however, to an appeal from such decision to the city council, who shall either confirm the action of the board of fire officers or refer the same back to them for retrial. (1964 code § 1.12.410).

2.28.430 Charges against members – Retrial.

In the event of a retrial being ordered by the council, the decision arrived at by the board of fire officers at such retrial shall be final, conclusive and not subject to appeal. (1964 code § 1.12.420).

2.28.440 Chief to be on full-time basis.

From and after the first day of November, 1958, the chief of the city shall be employed on a full-time basis. (1964 code § 1.12.440).

2.28.450 Compensation of volunteer firefighters.

The city shall pay to each regularly enrolled and qualified member of the fire department while actively engaged in meetings, drills, calls or other approved fire department business in accordance with the following schedule:

		Pay if member has a current Washington State First Responder or EMT Certification
Basic firefighter:	$14.00 per hour	$15.00 per hour
Company officer:	$14.50 per hour	$15.50 per hour
Lieutenant:	$15.00 per hour	$16.00 per hour
Captain:	$15.50 per hour	$16.50 per hour
Deputy chief:	$17.00 per hour	$18.00 per hour

Standby time (all):	$3.00 per hour

Any volunteer that applies for and is accepted into the fire department to attend recruit training will not be compensated hourly for the time attending the recruit classes, but the city will cover the tuition costs and provide transportation. Volunteers who receive their recruit completion certification will receive the equivalent of 85 hours of basic firefighter pay.

Completion of training necessary to receive your recruit completion certificate includes: firefighter orientation, fire extinguishers, ropes and knots, fire streams, lighting and power sources, safety and health, PPS and SCBA, attack and supply practicals, asbestos awareness, NIMS 100, NIMS 200, NIMS 700, NIMS 800, ventilation, salvage and overhaul practicals, vehicle fire practicals, rescue and extrication, forcible entry, multi-company operations, fire behavior, ladders, communications, search and rescue, building construction, water supply, fire detection – alarm and suppression systems, fire hose, fire prevention, loss control and salvage, protecting evidence, public education.

Volunteers who take the EMT class will not be compensated hourly for the time attending the classes, but the city will cover the tuition costs and provide transportation. Volunteers who receive their certification through Washington State as an EMT shall be paid a one-time bonus of $500.00 and then receive the additional $1.00 per hour pursuant to the above schedule. (Ord. 2023-28 § 1; Ord. 2018-23 § 1; Ord. 2015-1 § 1; Ord. 2008-5 § 1; Ord. 1069 § 15, 1982; 1964 code § 1.12.450).

2.28.460 Finding of qualification for volunteer firemen’s pension relief act.

The state has by the laws of 1945, Chapter 261, as amended by the laws of 1955, Chapter 263 (RCW 41.24.010 et seq.) provided for volunteer firemen’s relief and pension benefits to firemen qualifying therefor. Said act provides for participation of all firemen in cities qualifying under the act and, upon application, the city and the fire department thereof would so qualify. (1964 code § 1.12.460).

2.28.470 Participation in volunteer firemen’s pension relief act.

The city shall participate in the volunteer firemen’s relief and pension act benefits and the mayor and clerk of the city are directed to prepare the necessary application for such participation, to execute the contract required by the State Board of Volunteer Firemen, and to effectuate the purposes of GMC 2.28.460 and 2.28.470, at the earliest possible date. (1964 code § 1.12.470).