Chapter 2.12 FIRE DEPARTMENT

The department shall consist of a chief, a fire marshal/deputy chief, three shift supervisors, and other officers as the chief and city manager may deem necessary for the effective operation of the department. [Ord. 1124 §3, 2000; Ord. 695 §4, 1983; Ord. 347 §1(1), 1971]

2.12.020 Chief—appointment—qualifications

The chief shall be appointed by the city manager for an indefinite period of time, and the chief’s tenure of office shall depend upon good conduct and efficiency. The chief shall be technically qualified by training and experience and have ability to command persons and hold their respect and confidence. The chief shall be removed only for just cause and in accordance with city personnel regulations. [Ord. 347 §1(2), 1971]

2.12.030 Chief—accountable to manager

The chief shall be held accountable to the city manager only, and shall make written and verbal reports thereto as the manager may require. All other department and company officers shall be accountable to the chief only. [Ord. 347 §1(3), 1971]

2.12.040 Shift supervisors

The shift supervisors and all other department and company officers shall be appointed by the chief. Such officers shall be accountable only to the chief, and subject to removal by the chief. [Ord. 695 §5, 1983; Ord. 347 §1(4), 1971]

2.12.050 Chief—general responsibility

The chief shall formulate a set of rules and regulations to govern the department, and shall be responsible to the city manager for the personnel, morale, and general efficiency of the department. [Ord. 347 §2(1), 1971]

2.12.060 Chief—responsibility for companies

The chief shall determine the number and kind of companies of which the department is to be composed and shall determine the response of such companies to alarms. [Ord. 347 §2(2), 1971]

2.12.070 Chief and/or shift supervisors—drills and instruction

The chief and/or shift supervisors shall conduct suitable drills or instruction in the operation and handling of equipment, first aid and rescue work, salvage, study of buildings in the city, fire prevention, water supplies, and all other matters generally considered essential to good firemanship and safety of life and property from fire. [Ord. 695 §6, 1983; Ord. 347 §2(3), 1971]

2.12.080 Chief—arson suppression

The chief is required to assist the proper authorities in suppressing the crime of arson by investigating or causing to be investigated the cause, origin, and circumstances of all fires. [Ord. 347 §2(4), 1971]

2.12.090 Notice to abate fire hazard—compliance required

Any person served with a notice to abate any fire hazard or hazards shall comply therewith and promptly notify the chief. [Ord. 347 §2(6), 1971]

2.12.100 Chief—fire records

The chief shall see that complete records are kept of all fires, inspections, apparatus and minor equipment, personnel, and other information about the work of the department. [Ord. 347 §2(7), 1971]

2.12.110 Chief—monthly reports to manager

The chief shall report monthly to the city manager the condition of the apparatus and equipment; the number of fires during the month, their location and cause, and date of same, and loss occasioned thereby; the number and purpose of all other runs made; and the number of members responding to each fire or other run, and any changes in membership. [Ord. 347 §2(8), 1971]

2.12.120 Chief—annual report to manager

The chief shall make a complete annual report to the city manager within one month after the close of the fiscal year, such report to include the information specified in KCC 2.12.100, together with comparative data for previous years and recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the department. [Ord. 347 §2(9), 1971]

2.12.130 Employment—qualifications

The emergency personnel of the department shall consist of such able-bodied persons as may be hired by the chief. Anyone accepting regular employment with the department shall establish residency within 12 road miles of the fire station within 180 days following the date of hire and shall maintain telephone service. Determination of whether candidates for employment are able-bodied shall be made by the chief after a pre-employment medical examination and physical ability test has been made in a manner prescribed by the chief and approved by the city manager. [Ord. 1380, 2018; Ord. 1032, 1996; Ord. 704 §1, 1983; Ord. 347 §3(1), 1971]

2.12.140 Employment—suspension—discharge

Any member of the department may be suspended or discharged from the department by the chief at any time the chief may deem such action necessary for the good of the department. On written request of such member to the city manager the member shall be given a hearing in accordance with city personnel regulations on the charges brought by the chief. [Ord. 347 §3(2), 1971]

2.12.150 Equipment—generally

The department shall be equipped with such apparatus and other equipment as may be required from time to time to maintain its efficiency and properly protect life and property from fire. [Ord. 347 §4(1), 1971]

2.12.160 Equipment—purchase procedure

Recommendations of apparatus and equipment needed shall be made by the chief, and after approval by the city manager shall be purchased in such manner as may be designated by the city manager. [Ord. 347 §4(2), 1971]

2.12.170 Equipment—storage

All equipment of the department shall be safely and conveniently housed in such places as may be designated by the city manager. Such places shall be heated during the winter season. [Ord. 347 §4(3), 1971]

2.12.180 Equipment—alarm

Suitable arrangement or equipment shall be provided for citizens to turn in an alarm, and for notifying all members of the department so that they may promptly respond. [Ord. 347 §4(4), 1971]

2.12.190 Equipment—unauthorized use

(a) No person shall use any fire apparatus or equipment for any private purpose without first obtaining written authorization on a form approved by the chief.

(b) No person shall use any fire hydrant without first obtaining written authorization on a form approved by the chief.

(c) Fees or charges for use of the department’s fire apparatus or equipment, including fire hydrants, shall be established by resolution or motion of the city council. [Ord. 980, 1993; Ord. 347 §4(5), 1971]

2.12.200 Equipment—permission required for use

No person shall enter any place where fire apparatus is housed or handle any apparatus or equipment belonging to the department unless accompanied by, or having the special permission of, an officer or authorized member of the department. [Ord. 347 §4(6), 1971]

2.12.210 Fire protection agreements with nearby communities

The city of Kodiak is authorized to enter into agreements or contracts with nearby incorporated communities or governing bodies of other organizations to provide the members of such community organizations with fire protection or to establish a mutual aid system. [Ord. 347 §4(7), 1971]

2.12.220 Equipment—assignment for use outside city

No apparatus shall be hired out or permitted to leave the city, except in response to a call for aid at a fire in a neighboring community without the consent of the chief. The officer in charge of the department shall have power to assign equipment for response to calls for outside aid in accordance with KCC 2.12.210, and in other cases only when the absence of such equipment will not jeopardize protection in this fire district area. [Ord. 347 §4(8), 1971]

2.12.230 Badge

Each member of the department shall be issued a badge designating his rank. [Ord. 347 §5(1), 1971]

2.12.240 Vehicle—right-of-way

All fire department motor equipment and all personal cars of department members showing a flashing blue light shall have right-of-way over all other traffic when responding to an alarm. [Ord. 347 §5(2), 1971]

2.12.250 Vehicle—insignia required

Each member of the department driving a car shall be issued a suitable insignia to be attached to the car. [Ord. 347 §5(3), 1971]

2.12.260 Vehicle—driving over fire hose

No person shall drive any vehicle over fire hose except upon specific orders from the chief or other officer in charge where the hose is used. [Ord. 347 §5(4), 1971]

2.12.270 Vehicle—parking restrictions

No person shall park any vehicle or otherwise cause any obstruction to be placed within 25 feet of the entrance to any fire station or other place where fire apparatus is stored, or within 10 feet of any fire hydrant or cistern. [Ord. 347 §5(5), 1971]

2.12.280 Vehicle—following apparatus

No unauthorized person with any vehicle shall follow within 500 feet of any apparatus belonging to the department, nor park any vehicle within 300 feet of a fire. [Ord. 695 §7, 1983; Ord. 347 §5(6), 1971]

2.12.290 False alarms

No person shall maliciously turn in or cause to be turned in a false alarm. [Ord. 347 §5(7), 1971]

2.12.310 Membership—police powers

All regularly appointed members of the department are given the necessary special police powers for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this chapter. [Ord. 347 §6(2), 1971]

2.12.320 Duties of police personnel

It is made the special duty of the chief of police and/or other peace officers who may be on duty and available for fire duty, to respond to all fire alarms and assist the department in the protection of life and property, in regulating traffic, maintaining order, and in enforcing observance of all sections of this chapter. [Ord. 347 §6(3), 1971]