Chapter 2.16
VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
Sections:
2.16.090 Personnel policies and standard operation procedures.
2.16.010 Definitions.
A. “Chief” shall mean the chief of the city of South Bend volunteer fire department.
B. “City” shall mean the city of South Bend, Washington.
C. “City council” shall mean the city council of the city of South Bend, Washington.
D. “Department” shall mean the city of South Bend volunteer fire department.
E. “Mayor” shall mean the mayor of the city of South Bend, Washington.
F. “Member” shall mean a member of the city of South Bend volunteer fire department.
G. “Officer” shall mean a duly elected city of South Bend volunteer fire department chief, assistant chief or captain.
H. “Special officer” shall mean duly elected president, vice-president and secretary-treasurer. (Ord. 1438 § 1, 2011).
2.16.020 Membership.
A. To be a member of the department a person shall:
1. Be physically fit to perform the duties of a firefighter; and
2. Be available to serve the department; and
3. Be 18 years of age or older; and
4. Serve a 24-month probationary period during which the chief may terminate the individual at any time for any reason after confirmed by the mayor; and
5. Be accepted for membership by a majority vote of the department membership, after successful completion of the mandatory 24-month probationary period.
B. Membership in the department is voluntary. Each member, as a condition of becoming a member, accepts all department rules, regulations and practices. Each member shall be provided a copy of the department standard operating procedures and shall sign a form documenting that the member has been provided such copy.
C. Each member shall receive a copy of the city employee handbook and shall comply with applicable city policies and procedures, including Sections 302 (Workplace Anti-harassment), 305 (Talking to the News Media), 306 (Reporting Improper Governmental Action), 307 (Code of Conduct), 401 (Workplace Violence), 402 (Drugs and Alcohol), and 403 (Safety).
D. Each member shall attend all training sessions and department meetings, unless excused by the chief.
E. Any member may be suspended or discharged from the department by the chief at any time the chief determines, in his sole discretion, that such suspension or discharge is necessary for the good of the department. Any suspension or discharge shall be confirmed by the mayor prior to the actual suspension or discharge. Any suspension or discharge subsequent to a member successfully completing the mandatory 24-month probationary period shall be done in accordance with the fire department bylaws.
F. Each member shall complete a driving record certification form and provide a copy of their driver’s license annually. The department shall inspect each member’s driving record certification and a copy of the member’s license annually.
G. No member shall drive any department vehicle or apparatus without:
1. A valid driver’s license, including any relevant driver’s license endorsement(s); and
2. An acceptable driving record; and
3. Having attained at least the age of 21 years.
H. Each member shall be issued a badge designating that member’s rank. (Ord. 1438 § 2, 2011).
2.16.030 Officers.
A. The department shall have a chief, assistant chief, and two captains.
B. Each officer shall be elected annually by the members at the regular June meeting, according to the fire department bylaws.
C. The chief shall be a member technically qualified by training and experience who has the ability to command firefighters and hold their respect and confidence.
D. All elections shall be by written, secret ballot. The members shall appoint an election committee which shall count the ballots and perform such other tasks as the members may delegate by majority vote.
E. The assistant chief and captains shall report to and be accountable to the chief.
F. The chief shall report to and be accountable to the mayor. The mayor shall use the same process and procedures to evaluate the performance of the chief as he or she uses to evaluate the performance of the other city department heads. (Ord. 1438 § 3, 2011).
2.16.040 Officers’ duties.
A. Chief.
1. The chief shall formulate rules and regulations for the governance of the department.
2. The chief shall be the technical head of the department and shall determine the department response to alarms.
3. The chief is empowered to suppress the crime of arson and to investigate or cause to be investigated the cause, origin and circumstances of all fires.
4. The chief shall see that the appointed officer or member keeps complete records of all fires, inspections, apparatus, maintenance, personnel, equipment, and other required information about the work of the department.
5. The chief shall attend city council meetings at least one time each quarter of the fiscal year. Upon the request of the mayor, the chief may be required to attend other city council meetings where department business will be discussed.
6. The chief may discuss agreements with nearby incorporated communities or governing bodies of other organizations to provide the members of such communities or organizations with fire protection or to establish a mutual aid system.
B. Assistant Chief.
1. The assistant chief shall be familiar with the duties of the chief. In the absence of the chief, the assistant chief shall assume the duties of the chief as chief pro tem.
C. Captains.
1. The captains, in the absence of the chief and the assistant chief, shall be in charge of equipment and other matters pertaining thereto.
2. The captains shall ensure that adequate records are kept of the department’s operations and that such records are submitted to the chief for safekeeping. (Ord. 1438 § 4, 2011).
2.16.050 Equipment.
A. The department shall be equipped with such apparatus and other equipment as may be required to maintain its efficiency and properly protect life and property from fire.
B. All department equipment shall be safely and conveniently housed at the city firehouses.
C. No person shall use any department equipment or apparatus for any private purpose. No person shall remove any department property from department premises, or conceal department property without prior written approval.
D. No person shall enter any place where fire apparatus is housed or handle any department apparatus or equipment unless accompanied by or having approval of an officer or authorized member of the department.
E. No department apparatus or equipment shall be contracted with a third party without the written approval of the chief or the assistant chief. No department apparatus or equipment shall leave the city, except in response to a call for aid in a neighboring community, without approval of an officer.
F. The officer in charge of the department shall have the authority to assign equipment and apparatus for response to calls for outside aid in accordance with any agreements with nearby incorporated communities or governing bodies of other organizations and in other cases only when the absence of such equipment and apparatus will not jeopardize protection of the city.
G. Any department equipment loaned to other city departments shall be documented and reported to the chief. Loaned equipment shall be returned in as good or better condition as when originally loaned. Any damage or loss shall be reported to the chief. Any repairs shall be done at the cost of the city department which borrowed the equipment.
H. All radio equipment shall be used for emergency or official communications only. Violations may result in confiscation of the violator’s communication equipment. (Ord. 1438 § 5, 2011).
2.16.060 Safety meetings.
The department shall conduct monthly membership and safety meetings. The official meeting minutes shall document that the safety meeting was held, the topic(s) discussed and the members in attendance. (Ord. 1438 § 6, 2011).
2.16.070 Special officers.
A. The department may elect a president, vice-president and secretary-treasurer as special officers. Such officers may be elected in any manner and for any term the members may decide upon by majority vote.
B. The members shall determine the duties of the special officers. The duties of the special officers shall not conflict or interfere with those of the department officers. (Ord. 1438 § 7, 2011).
2.16.080 Pension and relief.
Chapter 121 of the Session Laws of the State of Washington for 1935, relating to the volunteer firefighters’ relief and pension fund, is adopted by the city of South Bend and by this reference made a part of this chapter in detail as though fully incorporated into this chapter. (Ord. 1438 § 8, 2011).
2.16.090 Personnel policies and standard operation procedures.
Where inconsistent with city personnel policies and procedures, the department bylaws and standard operating procedures shall control. (Ord. 1438 § 9, 2011).