Chapter 2.88
VOLUNTEER FIREMEN’S RELIEF AND COMPENSATION FUND
Sections:
2.88.040 Board of trustees—Established—Membership—Compensation.
2.88.050 Board of trustees—Records.
2.88.060 Board of trustees—Meetings—Quorum.
2.88.070 Board of trustees—Duties.
2.88.080 Board of trustees—Powers.
2.88.090 Board of trustees—Employment of physician.
2.88.100 Board of trustees—Administration of fund.
2.88.010 Enrollment.
All firefighters of the city of Poulsbo shall hereafter be enrolled under the relief and compensation provisions of this chapter and Chapter 41.24 RCW, as now enacted or hereinafter amended, for the purpose of providing protection for the firefighters and their families from death or disability arising in the performance of their duties as firefighters. All firefighters of the city shall, in addition, have the option of enrolling under the pension and retirement provisions of this chapter and Chapter 41.24 RCW. (Ord. 84-1 § 1, 1984)
2.88.030 Limited membership.
Membership of the city’s fire department is limited to twenty-five firefighters for each one thousand population or fraction thereof; provided, that the city’s fire department at all times consists of not less than fifteen firefighters. (Ord. 84-1 § 3, 1984)
2.88.040 Board of trustees—Established—Membership—Compensation.
There is created and established for the city of Poulsbo a board of trustees for the administration of the provisions of this chapter and Chapter 41.24 RCW. The board shall consist of five members: the mayor, the city clerk, one member of the city council to be appointed annually by majority vote of the council, the chief of the city fire department and one city firefighter to be elected by the members of the fire department for a term of one year and annually thereafter. All members of the board shall serve without compensation for any duties performed under this chapter as trustees. (Ord. 84-1 § 4, 1984)
2.88.050 Board of trustees—Records.
The mayor shall act as chairman of the board of trustees and the city clerk shall act as the board’s secretary-treasurer. The secretary of the board shall keep a public record of all proceedings, of all receipts and disbursements made by the board of trustees, and shall make an annual report of the board’s expenses and disbursements with a full list of the beneficiaries of the volunteer firemen’s relief and pension fund in the city, which record shall be kept on file in the office of the city clerk for public inspection. (Ord. 84-1 § 5, 1984)
2.88.060 Board of trustees—Meetings—Quorum.
A. The board of trustees shall meet on the call of the mayor on a regular monthly meeting day to be established by the board when there is business to come before it. The mayor, as chairman of the board, is required to call a meeting on any regular meeting day at the request of any member of the fund or his or her beneficiary claiming any relief, compensation or pension therefrom.
B. A majority of the board of trustees constitutes a quorum, and no business shall be transacted when a majority is not present, and no claim shall be allowed where a majority of the board has not voted favorably thereon. (Ord. 84-1 § 6, 1984)
2.88.070 Board of trustees—Duties.
The board of trustees shall provide for enrollment of all members of the city’s fire department under the death and disability provisions of this chapter and Chapter 41.24 RCW, receive all applications for the enrollment under the retirement provisions of this chapter and Chapter 41.24 RCW, provide for disbursements of relief and compensation, determine the eligibility of firemen for pensions and pass on all claims and direct payment thereof from the volunteer firemen’s relief and pension fund to those entitled thereto. Vouchers shall be issued to the persons entitled thereto by the board. The board shall send to the state board, after each meeting, a voucher for each person entitled to payment from the fund, stating the amount of the payment and for what granted, which voucher shall be certified and signed by the chairman and secretary of the board. (Ord. 84-1 § 7, 1984)
2.88.080 Board of trustees—Powers.
The board of trustees, in addition to any other powers granted to it under Chapter 41.24 RCW or any city ordinance, as now enacted or hereinafter amended, has the power to:
A. Compel the attendance of witnesses to testify before it on all matters connected with the operation of this chapter or Chapter 41.24 RCW, and the chairman of the board or any member of the board may administer oaths to such witnesses;
B. Make all necessary rules and regulations for the board’s guidance in conformity with the provisions of this chapter and Chapter 41.24 RCW;
C. Initially hear and decide all applications for relief or compensation and pensions under this chapter and Chapter 41.24 RCW, subject to review by, or appeal by the proper person to, the state board where decision on the review or appeal shall be final and conclusive;
D. Ask for the appointment of a guardian whenever and wherever the claim of a fireman or his beneficiary would, in the opinion of the board, be best served thereby. The board has full power to make and direct the payments provided for in this chapter and Chapter 41.24 RCW, to any person entitled thereto without the necessity of any guardianship or administration proceedings, when in its judgment, it determines it to be for the best interest of the beneficiary. (Ord. 84-1 § 8, 1984)
2.88.090 Board of trustees—Employment of physician.
The board shall make provisions for the employment of a regularly licensed practicing physician for the examination of members of the fire department making application for membership. The appointed physician shall visit and examine all sick and injured firemen, perform such services and operations and render all medical aid and care necessary for the recovery of firemen on account of sickness or disability received while in the performance of duties. The appointed physician shall be paid his fees from the fund but not in excess of the schedule of fees for like services approved by the director of labor and industries under RCW Title 51. No physician or surgeon, not approved by the board, shall receive or be entitled to any compensation from the fund as the private or attending physician of any fireman. No person shall have any right of action against the board of trustees of the fund for the negligence of any physician or surgeon employed by it. Any physician employed by the board to attend upon any fireman shall report his finding in writing to the board. (Ord. 84-1 § 9, 1984)
2.88.100 Board of trustees—Administration of fund.
The board of trustees shall administer the fund and provide for the payments of all benefits thereunder in accord with the provisions of Chapter 41.24 RCW as now enacted or hereafter amended. (Ord. 84-1 § 10, 1984)