Chapter 2.44
FIRE DEPARTMENT VOLUNTEER MEMBERSHIP
Sections:
2.44.070 Volunteer membership.
2.44.080 Number of volunteer members.
2.44.090 Mutual aid authorized.
2.44.130 Pension and death benefits.
2.44.140 Amount of compensation.
2.44.020 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth in this section unless the contrary clearly appears:
1. “Board” means the board of trustees of volunteer firemen’s relief and compensation fund created therein.
2. “Chief” means the appointed chief of the Tumwater fire department.
3. “City” means the city of Tumwater.
4. “Council” means the city council of Tumwater.
5. “Department” means the Tumwater fire department.
(Ord. 1118, Amended, 07/07/1987; Ord. 613, Amended, 03/07/1972; Ord. 221, Added, 04/04/1944)
2.44.070 Volunteer membership.
A. The volunteer membership of the department shall consist of such persons as may be appointed by the chief and shall be able-bodied citizens residing within the city who have telephones in their homes. Determination of whether candidates for appointment are able-bodied shall be made by the chief after an examination by a physician.
B. A waiver may be obtained from the mayor by the chief for the appointment of a nonresident of the city, provided such appointment is deemed justifiable for the continued efficiency of the department. All such waivers shall be made in writing.
(Ord. 1118, Amended, 07/07/1987; Ord. 613, Amended, 03/07/1972; Ord. 221, Added, 04/04/1944)
2.44.080 Number of volunteer members.
The volunteer membership shall be not more than twenty-five firefighters for each one thousand population in the area to be served by the department.
(Ord. O96-030, Amended, 10/15/1996; Ord. 1118, Amended, 07/07/1987; Ord. 613, Amended, 03/07/1972; Ord. 221, Added, 04/04/1944)
2.44.090 Mutual aid authorized.
The mayor, with the approval of the council, is authorized to enter into agreements or contracts with nearby incorporated communities or unincorporated communities definitely organized or governing bodies of other organizations to provide the members of such organizations or communities with fire protection or to establish the city as a member of the state mutual aid system.
(Ord. 1118, Amended, 07/07/1987; Ord. 613, Amended, 03/07/1972; Ord. 221, Added, 04/04/1944)
2.44.100 False alarms.
No person shall maliciously turn in or cause to be turned in a false alarm. In each instance of maliciously turning in or causing to be turned in a false alarm, a service charge for each piece of responding apparatus shall be levied in addition to any other penalty provided in this chapter. The service charge shall be determined according to the fee schedule then in use as adopted by the Washington State Association of Fire Chiefs.
(Ord. 1118, Amended, 07/07/1987; Ord. 613, Amended, 03/07/1972; Ord. 221, Added, 04/04/1944)
2.44.110 Board of trustees.
There is created a board of trustees of a volunteer firemen’s relief and compensation fund consisting of the mayor, finance director, and one councilmember of the city to be selected by the mayor; the chief of the fire department 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 be ex officio chairman. The finance director shall be ex officio secretary of the board of trustees.
(Ord. O96-030, Amended, 10/15/1996; Ord. 1118, Amended, 07/07/1987; Ord. 613, Amended, 03/07/1972; Ord. 221, Added, 04/04/1944)
2.44.120 State law adopted.
Chapter 41.24 RCW, creating a volunteer firemen’s relief and compensation fund, as that law is now enacted, or as it may hereafter be amended or supplemented or reenacted, is adopted as part of this chapter by this reference.
(Ord. 1118, Amended, 07/07/1987; Ord. 613, Amended, 03/07/1972; Ord. 221, Added, 04/04/1944)
2.44.130 Pension and death benefits.
This chapter includes death benefits as provided in RCW 41.24.160, retirement pensions as provided by RCW 41.24.170, and lump-sum payments as provided by RCW 41.24.180, as now enacted or as such sections may be amended or supplemented or reenacted; which RCW sections are incorporated herein as though fully set forth herein.
(Ord. 1118, Amended, 07/07/1987; Ord. 613, Amended, 03/07/1972; Ord. 221, Added, 04/04/1944)
2.44.140 Amount of compensation.
Compensation of members of the Tumwater volunteer fire department for alarms, drills and meetings shall be as follows:
A. For all members except the chief, an amount to be established by the Tumwater city council in the annual budget for each alarm, provided an alarm shall not exceed four hours in duration. Each four-hour period shall constitute a separate alarm. For the purpose of this section an “alarm” is defined as a response to a fire alarm, standby time following a fire, and the response to any other emergency situation requiring the immediate attention of the volunteer fire person;
B. For all members except the chief, an amount to be established by the Tumwater city council in the annual budget for each fire drill, not to exceed fifty-two drills per year. For the purpose of this section, a “fire drill” is defined as a scheduled training program approved by the chief and scheduled at least seven calendar days in advance of the fire drill;
C. For all members except the chief, an amount to be established by the Tumwater city council in the annual budget for each make-up fire drill, provided make-up fire drills shall be scheduled by the chief and limited to two in any one calendar month; provided further, a make-up fire drill must be made up within one month from the date the regular fire drill was missed and must be devoted to the fulfillment of the training requirements missed during the regular scheduled fire drill;
D. For all members except the chief, an amount to be established by the Tumwater city council in the annual budget for each special fire drill. Special fire drills shall be by call of the chief only. Make-up fire drills do not apply to missed special fire drills.
(Ord. 993, Amended, 01/17/1984; Ord. 839, Amended, 12/22/1978; Ord. 706, Amended, 03/18/1975; Ord. 612, Amended, 03/12/1972; Ord. 561, Amended, 12/02/1969; Ord. 474, Amended, 01/19/1965; Ord. 455, Added, 01/22/1964)