Chapter 2.44
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Sections:
2.44.020 Board of trustees – Establishment.
2.44.030 Board of trustees – Membership.
2.44.040 Board of trustees – Term.
2.44.050 Board of trustees – Authority.
2.44.060 Relief and compensation plan.
2.44.070 Establishment of position of fire chief/emergency services coordinator.
Prior ordinance history: Ord. 136.
2.44.010 Establishment.
There is created and established a department to be known as the Zillah volunteer fire department. From and after the date of the ordinance codified in this section, the Zillah volunteer fire department may consist of up to 28 members. This number may be increased from time to time, as required and permitted by law by an approval of the city council. (Ord. 701 § 2, 1991; Ord. 159 § 1, 1938)
2.44.020 Board of trustees – Establishment.
There is created and established a board of trustees of the Zillah volunteer firemen’s relief and compensation fund which shall consist of the mayor, city clerk/treasurer, one councilman, the chief of the fire department, and one member of the fire department. (Ord. 159 § 2, 1938)
2.44.030 Board of trustees – Membership.
The councilman shall be selected from the membership of the city council by a vote of the members of the city council at any regular meeting, and the councilman receiving the highest number of votes shall act as a member of the board of trustees. (Ord. 159 § 3, 1938)
2.44.040 Board of trustees – Term.
The member of the fire department who shall be a member of the board of trustees shall be elected by the members of the fire department for a term of one year, and his successors shall be elected annually thereafter. (Ord. 159 § 4, 1938)
2.44.050 Board of trustees – Authority.
The board of trustees is vested with such power and authority as is now, or may hereafter be, vested in such board by the laws of the state. (Ord. 159 § 5, 1938)
2.44.060 Relief and compensation plan.
A. Any member of the fire department is permitted to enroll under the provisions of Chapter 41.24 RCW, otherwise known as the Volunteer Firemen’s Relief and Pension Act for the purpose of enabling any such fireman so electing to avail himself of the retirement provisions of said law; provided, however, that anyone so enrolling under said pension provisions shall pay $12.00 of the $22.00 yearly fee each year prior to March 1st, and in the event such fireman does not so contribute said portion of said fee he shall be dropped from the rolls, all as provided by statute, with the privilege of being reinstated.
B. The city clerk/treasurer shall pay the city’s share of the annual retirement premium on each fireman electing to participate in the pension plan provided by Chapter 41.24 RCW, and submit a list of all firemen and birth dates of each to the State Board for Volunteer Firemen together with the total annual pension premium and the additional $5.00 disability fee on each fireman reported. (Ord. 363, 1970; Ord. 159 § 6, 1938)
2.44.070 Establishment of position of fire chief/emergency services coordinator.
A. From and after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, one of the appointed officers of the city shall be fire chief/emergency services coordinator. The duties and responsibilities of said fire chief/emergency services coordinator shall be as follows:
1. To head the volunteer fire department, continuing duties and responsibilities of the chief of the volunteer fire department.
2. To prepare and propose a budget for the fire department, setting forth a budget schedule of expenses necessary to operate the fire department in an efficient and safe manner as is needed for the public welfare and safety.
3. To coordinate with the police chief on issues of public safety involving hazardous materials and other circumstances which the fire department is, or would be, called upon to respond.
4. To review proposed subdivisions, plats, etc., for fire protection and other public safety concerns.
5. To carry out other responsibilities and duties as assigned to the fire chief/emergency services coordinator by the mayor.
Any person appointed as fire chief/emergency services coordinator for the city shall be subject to removal by the mayor as provided by RCW 35A.12.090.
B. Compensation of Fire Chief/Emergency Services Coordinator. The salary of the fire chief/emergency services coordinator appointed pursuant to this section shall be the sum of $45,636 per year. The fire chief/emergency services coordinator shall also receive the same insurance and other nonsalary benefits provided to other department heads in the city. Compensation paid to the fire chief/emergency services coordinator shall be reviewed from time to time and shall be established by subsequent ordinance. (Ord. 955 §§ 2, 3, 2001)