Chapter 2.32 FIRE DEPARTMENT

There is hereby established a municipal fire department to be known as the Okanogan fire department as provided in this chapter. The purpose of the Okanogan fire department, hereinafter “fire department,” shall be the prevention of fire and the protection of life and property within the municipal limits of the city of Okanogan, hereinafter “city,” and such other purposes as may be authorized or necessary for the continued maintenance and operations of the fire department. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.020 Officers.

The fire department shall consist of one fire chief, two assistant fire chiefs, one captain and such other line officers as the fire chief of the fire department, hereinafter “chief,” shall deem necessary for the effective operation of the fire department. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.030 Chief – Appointment – Removal.

The mayor of the city shall appoint the chief for a definite or indefinite period of time, and may remove such chief at the mayor’s discretion. The chief shall be accountable to the mayor, and shall make written and/or verbal reports to the mayor or the mayor’s designee as the mayor may require. The chief shall be a person technically qualified by training and experience and shall have the ability to command firefighters and hold their respect and confidence. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.040 Chief – Powers and duties generally.

A. The chief shall formulate a set of rules and regulations, to be known as “standard operating procedures” or “SOP,” to govern all aspects of the operations of the fire department, and such standard operating procedures shall be approved and adopted by resolution of the city council. The chief shall be responsible for the personnel, morale, operations and general efficiency of the fire department.

B. The chief shall hold meetings of all fire department personnel at least weekly, shall conduct suitable drills or instruction in the operation and handling of equipment, first aid and rescue work, salvage, study of buildings in fire areas, fire prevention, water supply, the requirement for and proper use of personal protective equipment, hereinafter “PPE,” and all other matters generally considered essential to the operations of the fire department and safety of life and property from fire.

C. The chief shall assist any proper authorities suppressing crime or arson by investigating or causing to be investigated the cause, origin and circumstances of all fires within the limits of the city.

D. The chief or the chief’s designee approved by the mayor is empowered to enter any and all buildings and premises at any reasonable hour for the purpose of making inspections and to serve written notice upon the owner(s) or occupant(s) to abate, within a specified time, any and all fire hazards that may be found, and in accordance with the Uniform Fire Code, as amended, or any other laws or regulations.

E. The chief shall be responsible for preparing and maintaining records of all fires, inspections, apparatus and equipment, personnel, training and other information regarding the operations of the fire department.

F. The chief shall report monthly to the city council about the condition of the apparatus and equipment of the fire department, number of fires during each month, their location and cause, date of same and loss occasioned thereby, the number and purpose of all runs made and the number of members responding to each fire and other runs, and any change in membership, and other pertinent information regarding the operations of the fire department.

G. The chief shall report annually to the city council within one month after the close of the fiscal year, such report to include information specified in subsection F of this section, together with comparative data for previous years and recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the fire department.

H. The chief shall provide an annual report of inventory of all equipment, tools, vehicles and apparatus owned by the city and used, maintained or under the control of the fire department within one month after the close of the fiscal year.

I. The chief or their designee approved by the mayor is empowered to enforce the provisions of Chapter 8.36 OMC related to outdoor burning. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.050 Other officers – Appointment – Removal.

The assistant chiefs, captain and other officers of the fire department shall be appointed by the chief. Such officers report to and are accountable to the chief and are subject to removal from such officer’s position by the chief. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.060 Officer qualifications.

Qualifications for all officers of the fire department must meet or exceed the following standards:

A. Assistant Chief. Combined training and experience which demonstrates that a person has obtained the required knowledge and is able to perform the work required (with reasonable accommodation, if necessary). A person with the following combined training and experience would typically qualify to compete in a selection process: graduation from high school or equivalent and eight years of experience in fire prevention, suppression, and emergency medical response work; at least three of which involved supervisory and/or command responsibility.

B. Fire Captain. Combined training and experience which demonstrates that a person has obtained the required knowledge and is able to perform the work required (with reasonable accommodation, if necessary). A person with the following combined training and experience would typically qualify to compete in a selection process: graduation from high school or equivalent and six years of experience in fire prevention, suppression, and emergency medical response; at least two of which involve supervisory and/or command responsibility.

C. Fire Lieutenant. Combined training and experience which demonstrates that a person has obtained the required knowledge and is able to perform the work required (with reasonable accommodation, if necessary). A person with the following combined training and experience would typically qualify to compete in a selection process: graduation from high school or equivalent and two years of experience in fire prevention, suppression, and emergency medical response work. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.070 Administration officers – Appointment – Election – Removal.

A. Health and Safety Officer. The chief will appoint a health and safety officer for an indefinite period of time to ensure the health and safety of the fire department’s personnel and environment in compliance with the State of Washington Department of Labor and Industries standards.

B. Training Officer. The chief will appoint a training officer for an indefinite period of time to ensure the training program is up to date and meets the relevant standards necessary for the protection of life and property.

C. Other Administrative Officers. The members of the fire department may elect a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. Such officers may be elected in any manner decided upon in bylaws adopted by the members of the fire department, and their duties shall be to arrange for and manage all nonfire service functions related to the fire department. The functions and duties of such special officers shall in no way interfere with those of the fire department line officers who are charged with the responsibility for all fire service activities of the fire department and in compliance with state and federal law.

D. Representative to Board of Trustees. The fire department members shall elect a representative to sit on the board of trustees for a term of one year.

All such administration officers shall report to and be accountable to the chief and subject to removal by the chief at the chief’s discretion. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.080 Membership – Qualifications.

The standard operating procedures of the fire department shall establish minimum qualification standards for volunteer membership. At a minimum, all members must be able-bodied persons, at least 16 years of age, possess or have access to a home or cellular telephone, and possess a valid Washington State driver’s license. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.090 Membership – Removal.

Any member of the fire department may be suspended or discharged from the fire department by the chief at any time the chief deems such action is necessary for the good of the fire department. Upon written request of such member to the board of trustees (see OMC 2.32.310), the member shall be given a public hearing on the charges brought by the chief. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.110 Equipment authorized.

The fire department shall be equipped with such apparatus and other equipment that meets or exceeds state and federal standards as may be required from time to time to maintain its efficiency and properly protect life and property from fire. Personally owned equipment may be used by fire department personnel as long as it meets or exceeds state and federal standards and is approved by the chief. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.120 Equipment purchase.

Apparatus and equipment purchases by the fire department shall be made by the chief in such manner consistent with city policies and Washington State statutes, and subject to city council budgetary allowances. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.130 Equipment and miscellaneous – Donation.

The donation of any equipment, cash or any other item of value must be consistent with city ordinances and policies. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.140 Equipment – Housing requirements.

All equipment of the fire department shall be safely and conveniently housed in such places as may be designated by the chief or the mayor. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.150 Alarm – Equipment for firemen notification – Provisions.

Suitable arrangements or equipment shall be provided for citizens to turn in an alarm, and for notifying members of the fire department so that they may properly respond. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.160 Equipment – Use for private purpose.

No member or person shall use any fire apparatus or equipment for any private purpose, nor shall any person willfully and without proper authority remove or conceal any article used in any way by the fire department without the written approval of the mayor. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.170 Equipment – Uses permitted.

Fire apparatus and equipment may be used for suppression of fire, for preservation of life, and for any other purposes as deemed reasonable and necessary by the chief. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.180 Equipment – House – Unauthorized entry.

No person shall enter any place where fire apparatus or equipment is housed, or handle any fire apparatus or equipment belonging to the fire department, unless accompanied by or having the special permission of an officer or authorized member of the fire department. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.190 Mutual aid – Agreement authorized.

The city is authorized to enter into such agreements or contracts with nearby incorporated communities, other governing bodies or other entities to provide such communities, governing bodies or other entities with fire protection or to establish a mutual system. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.200 Mutual aid – Call for equipment – City to be protected.

No fire apparatus or equipment shall be hired out or permitted to leave the city except in response to a call for mutual aid, or pursuant to contract or agreement with another entity, without the consent of the chief. The officer in charge of the fire department shall have the power to assign equipment for the response to calls for outside aid in accordance with OMC 2.32.190 and in other cases only when the absence of such equipment will not jeopardize protection in the city. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.210 Badges – Issuance.

Each member of the fire department shall be issued a badge designating their rank. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.220 Motor equipment right-of-way – Personal car insignias.

All fire apparatus and equipment shall have right-of-way over all traffic when responding to an alarm. Each member of the fire department driving a vehicle to respond to alarms shall be issued a suitable insignia to be attached to the vehicle. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.230 Driving over hose – Causing obstructions – Regulations.

No person shall drive any vehicle over a fire hose except upon specific orders from the chief or other officer in charge where the hose is being used. No person shall park any vehicle, or otherwise cause any obstruction to be placed, within 15 feet of the entrance to any fire station or other place where fire apparatus or equipment is stored, or within 15 feet of any fire hydrant. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.240 Following apparatus, equipment – Parking near fire – Regulations.

No unauthorized person with any vehicle shall follow within 500 feet of any fire apparatus or equipment belonging to the fire department, nor park any vehicle within 200 feet of a fire. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.250 Tampering with fire alarm, firefighting equipment – False alarm.

No person shall willfully and without cause, tamper with, molest, injure or break any fire alarm apparatus, emergency phone, radio or other wire or signal, or any firefighting apparatus or equipment, and no person shall willfully and without having reasonable grounds for believing a fire exists, send, give, transmit or sound any false alarm of fire, or by shouting in a public place or by means of the city’s fire alarm system or signal, or by telephone. Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor under RCW 9.40.100. This provision shall not prohibit the testing of fire alarm systems by persons authorized to do so, by the fire department or the chief of the Washington State Patrol, through the director of fire protection. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.260 Riding on apparatus and equipment regulated.

No unauthorized person shall be permitted to ride on or travel within any fire apparatus or equipment unless authorized by the chief of the fire department. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.270 Penalties and enforcement.

A. Any person, firm or entity that violates any of the provisions of this chapter, with the exception of a violation of OMC 2.32.250, shall be guilty of a civil infraction, and upon conviction shall be assessed a civil penalty of up to $250.00 per offense. Each day that an offense continues shall be deemed to be a separate offense. In addition, the court may impose restitution amounts covering replacement costs for damage incurred as a result of any violations of this chapter, in an amount to be determined by the court.

B. All officers of the fire department have the authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

C. It shall be the special duty of all law enforcement personnel of the city, or contracted by the city, when on duty to be available for fire duty, to respond to all fire alarms and assist the fire department in the protection of life and property, in regulating traffic, maintaining order and enforcing observance of this chapter. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.280 Compensation.

The members of the fire department, exclusive of the chief, may be paid a stipend as fixed by the city council of the city, to be paid semi-annually for the members’ weekly, in-house training and for fire calls, based on timesheets provided to the city clerk by the chief. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.290 Participation in fund.

The city shall participate in the board for volunteer pension and relief fund to include disability and retirement for eligible members. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.300 City firemen enrolled in state plan.

A. City firemen, as defined in Chapter 41.24 RCW, shall be enrolled in the pension and retirement provisions of Chapter 41.24 RCW; provided, that such city firemen are now members, or who become members in the future, of the fire department who desire to and do comply with the provisions contained in Chapter 41.24 RCW. There is further established and shall hereinafter be maintained a fund or allocation of funds from which shall be paid the necessary yearly payment by the city to maintain the enrollment of said firemen for the pension and retirement funds under Chapter 41.24 RCW, as now established or hereafter revised.

B. In the event any member of the fire department who elects to avail themselves of the retirement provisions of said act subsequently fails to make their payments as required under said act, the amount of money paid by the city for said fireman shall be refunded to the city.

C. The city clerk-treasurer is hereby authorized and instructed to forthwith remit all necessary fees required under Chapter 41.24 RCW for the retirement provisions thereof to comply with said act on behalf of all city firemen who are qualified under Chapter 41.24 RCW and this section, and who elect to come under said act for the retirement provision thereof. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)

2.32.310 Firefighters board of trustees.

There is created a board of trustees of the Volunteer Firefighters Relief and Pension Act (Chapter 41.24 RCW), consisting of the mayor, city clerk-treasurer, one councilmember who serves as the chairman of the committee on public safety, the chief and one member of the fire department to be elected by the members thereof for a term of one year, and annually thereafter. The mayor shall serve as the ex officio chairman, and the city clerk-treasurer shall serve as the ex officio secretary of the board of trustees. The board’s duties are to include the following:

A. Enroll all new members under the relief provision immediately upon acceptance into the fire department;

B. Provide for disbursements of relief;

C. Determine eligibility for retirement pension;

D. Determine validity and direct payment of claims;

E. Send the state board vouchers for each person entitled to payment, stating the amount of such payment and for what it is granted. The mayor will sign such vouchers; and

F. The board shall conduct its business in accordance with Chapter 41.24 RCW, as amended, and shall conduct regular meetings when there is business to review.

G. The board’s secretary shall keep a written record of its meetings, findings, and determinations, which shall be public records.

H. The majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Any action taken by a majority of those present, when those present constitute a quorum, at any regular or special meeting of the board, shall be considered an action of the board.

I. The board shall also serve as a disciplinary appeals hearings board as set forth in OMC 2.32.090, and shall keep a written record of any disciplinary appeals hearings, findings and determinations, which shall be public records. The board may also be used as an advisory board at the request of the chief or mayor. (Ord. 1202 § 2, 2020)