Chapter 2.16
FIRE DEPARTMENT

Sections:

2.16.010 Officers.

2.16.020 Chief – Appointment – Qualifications.

2.16.030 Chief – Duties.

2.16.040 Chief – Accountability.

2.16.050 Officer appointment.

2.16.060 Board of governors.

2.16.070 Membership.

2.16.080 Discharge.

2.16.090 Equipment.

2.16.100 Intercommunity contracts.

2.16.110 Right-of-way.

2.16.120 Insignia.

2.16.010 Officers.

The department shall consist of a chief, and other officers as the chief and the board of governors may deem necessary for the effective operation of the department. [Prior code § 2.36.010.]

2.16.020 Chief – Appointment – Qualifications.

The chief shall be appointed by, report to and be supervised by the city manager and may be removed by the city manager, but is entitled to all rights and privileges as other employees under the city’s personnel rules and procedures. The position of fire chief is a professional and confidential position wholly exempt from the classified services. [Ord. 96-14 § 4.]

2.16.030 Chief – Duties.

A. The chief shall formulate a set of rules and regulations to govern the department, and shall be responsible to the city for the personnel, morale, and general efficiency of the department.

B. 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.

C. The chief shall submit all records required by the state pertaining to fire reports, registering of firefighters and certification of the department.

D. The chief shall at least once a month conduct suitable drills or instruction in the operation and handling of equipment, first aid and rescue work, salvage, a study of buildings in the Bethel area, fire prevention, water supplies, and all other matters generally considered essential to good firemanship and safety of life and property from fire.

E. 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.

F. Upon request of a property owner or occupant, the fire chief or his duly appointed representative shall make fire safety inspections and recommendations to correct any hazardous safety conditions. Request shall be made by the property owner to the fire chief.

G. 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 as requested by the city manager and city council.

H. The chief shall report annually to the city council the condition of the apparatus and equipment; the number of fires during the year, 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; include comparative data for previous years and recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the department, and any changes in membership.

I. The chief shall submit to the city manager monthly reports of reimbursements due to each firefighter for duties performed. [Prior code § 2.36.060.]

2.16.040 Chief – Accountability.

The chief shall be held accountable for the department membership, and shall make written and verbal reports thereto as the city mayor and city council may require. All other department and company officers shall be accountable to the chief only. [Prior code § 2.36.030.]

2.16.050 Officer appointment.

All department and company officers shall be appointed by the chief upon the recommendation of the board of governors. Such officers shall be accountable only to the chief, and subject to removal by him. [Prior code § 2.36.040.]

2.16.060 Board of governors.

The board of governors shall consist of the chief as chairman and five (5) members elected by the fire department membership in good standing. [Prior code § 2.36.050.]

2.16.070 Membership.

A. The membership of the department shall consist of such persons as may be appointed by the chief and shall be able-bodied citizens residing in Bethel or its close environs. Determination of whether candidates for appointment are able-bodied shall be made by the chief after a medical and physical examination has been made in a manner prescribed by the chief and approved by the board of governors. Such citizen shall be provided by the department with a Plectron or other communication device.

B. Each applicant shall complete an approved form for membership. [Prior code § 2.36.070.]

2.16.080 Discharge.

Any member of the department may be suspended or discharged from the department by the chief at any time he may deem such action necessary for the good of the department. On written request of such member to the board of governors, he shall be given an open hearing on the charges brought by the chief. [Prior code § 2.36.080.]

2.16.090 Equipment.

A. 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. The department may provide basic life support and advanced life support ambulance services. Advanced life support ambulance services are those ambulance runs which require the use of intravenous fluids, medications, heart monitors, and/or the opening of airways. For providing basic life support ambulance services, a charge of three hundred fifty dollars ($350) shall be made. For providing advanced life support ambulance services, a charge of four hundred fifty dollars ($450) shall be made. These ambulance charges may be periodically adjusted by noncode ordinance.

B. Recommendations of apparatus and equipment needed shall be made by the chief to the city manager annually.

C. All equipment of the department shall be safely and conveniently housed in such places as may be designated by the city council. Such places shall be heated during the winter, and maintained by the city.

D. Suitable arrangements 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.

E. No person shall use any fire apparatus or equipment for any private purpose, nor shall any person wilfully and without proper authority take away or conceal any article used in any way by the department.

F. No unauthorized 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. 01-09 § 2; prior code § 2.36.090.]

2.16.100 Intercommunity contracts.

The city is authorized to enter into agreements of contracts with nearby incorporated communities or other established firefighting organizations for fire protection. [Prior code § 2.36.100.]

2.16.110 Right-of-way.

All motor equipment and all personal cars of department members shall have the right-of-way over all other traffic when responding to an alarm. Traffic regulations must be obeyed at all times. [Prior code § 2.36.110.]

2.16.120 Insignia.

Each member of the department driving a car shall be issued a suitable insignia to be attached to the car for proper identification and display. [Prior code § 2.36.120.]