Chapter 2.65
VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
Sections:
2.65.030 Officers and composition.
2.65.040 Duties of chief officer.
2.65.070 Providing fire protection outside the town.
2.65.110 Entry upon adjacent property.
2.65.130 Reference to fire code.
2.65.140 Adoption of the International Fire Code.
2.65.010 Creation.
There is hereby created a department to be known as the Huachuca City volunteer fire department. (Prior code § 4-3-1)
2.65.020 Scope.
The purpose of this department shall be to protect life and property in an emergency situation or when deemed necessary by the mayor, the council or the chief officer of the department. (Prior code § 4-3-2)
2.65.030 Officers and composition.
A. The chief officer of the department shall have the position of fire department chief, and he shall also serve as town fire marshal and the head of the fire prevention bureau.
B. The chief officer of the fire department shall be appointed by the council and serve at the pleasure of the council.
C. The chief officer of the fire department shall be accountable to the council only.
D. All other officers shall be appointed by the chief officer and shall be under his direct supervision and control and accountable to him. They are subject to disciplinary action as prescribed under the personnel rules of the town.
E. The chief officer shall appoint a person to assume the duties of the chief officer in his absence. The person so appointed shall make a full report of any activities of the fire department upon the chief officer’s return.
F. All officers of the Huachuca City volunteer fire department shall conduct themselves so as to reflect credit upon Huachuca City. (Prior code § 4-3-3)
2.65.040 Duties of chief officer.
A. The chief officer shall formulate a set of rules and regulations to govern the department and the organization and operation thereof, subject to the approval of the council. He shall also formulate standard operating procedures for fire department personnel as he feels necessary. It will be his responsibility to keep the council informed as to the general efficiency of the department.
B. He shall investigate all fires, as head of the fire prevention bureau, and determine the cause, origin and circumstance of all fires. Furthermore, he shall cause adequate reporting of all fires and assist in the suppression of the crime of arson.
C. The chief officer is empowered under existing law to enter any and all buildings and premises during normal daylight business hours for the purpose of making inspections and to serve written notice upon the owner, occupant or such person in charge thereof to abate within a specified period of time any and all fire hazards that may be found.
D. The chief officer shall also make inspections and reports that may be requested from any other board, commission or department of the town in regard to fire hazards or suppression. (Prior code § 4-3-4)
2.65.050 Membership.
A. The number of members, the manner of their appointment and the qualifications required for membership shall be prescribed by resolution of the council from time to time.
B. 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 council, he shall be afforded a hearing according to the established grievance procedures of the Huachuca City personnel board rules. (Prior code § 4-3-5)
2.65.060 Equipment.
A. The department shall, within the discretion of the council, 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.
B. Suitable arrangements and 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. (Prior code § 4-3-6)
2.65.070 Providing fire protection outside the town.
A. The council may enter into agreements or contracts to furnish fire protection outside the town or enter into mutual aid agreements, and the fire department is authorized to render firefighting service pursuant to the terms of such agreements or contracts. In addition, the fire department may provide services or assist in providing services outside the town when those services are unavailable or are provided at the request of any law enforcement agency, fire district, fire department or private person, and may receive reimbursement for the costs of providing the emergency services. The person receiving the services, or on whose behalf the services are provided, is liable to the town for the costs, and these costs constitute a debt of that person and may be collected by the town.
B. The costs of providing services are those costs set forth in resolutions adopted by the town council establishing fee schedules for emergency response, standby charges, fees for fire cause determination or any other fee that may be required or appropriate to provide services outside of the town’s corporate limits. The town council may engage a service provider to pursue collection of the fees, or may refer them to the town attorney for collection. (Ord. 17-01 § 1, 2017; prior code § 4-3-7)
2.65.080 General.
A. All department vehicles shall have the right-of-way over all other traffic when responding to an alarm.
B. Personal cars belonging to fire department personnel shall respond in the most expedient manner, obeying all traffic regulations.
C. Emblems for members of the fire department shall be issued to be attached to their cars. (Prior code § 4-3-8)
2.65.090 Offenses.
A. Any person served by the chief of the department with a notice to abate any fire hazard shall comply therewith within a reasonable time and promptly notify the chief of such compliance.
B. No person shall drive any vehicle over a fire hose except upon specific order of the chief or other officer of the department in charge where such hose is being used.
C. No person shall park any vehicle or otherwise cause any obstruction to be placed within 20 feet of the entrance to any fire station or other place where the apparatus is stored, or within 15 feet of any fire hydrant or cistern.
D. No unauthorized person, with any vehicle, shall follow within 500 feet of any apparatus belonging to the department, or park any vehicle within the block where fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.
E. No person shall give, turn in, or cause to be given or turned in, a fire alarm, knowing such alarm to be false. (Prior code § 4-3-9)
2.65.100 Enforcement.
All regularly appointed members are hereby given and authorized to exercise the necessary powers to enforce the provisions of this chapter and Section 2.65.140 which pertains to the fire code. These powers shall include, but are not limited to, crowd control, traffic control, right of entry and any other police power that is necessary in the enforcement of their duty. (Prior code § 4-3-10)
2.65.110 Entry upon adjacent property.
It shall be lawful for any fireman acting under the direction of the person in command to enter upon the premises adjacent to or in the vicinity of any building or other property that is an emergency operation for the purpose of abating that emergency, and no person shall hinder, resist or obstruct any fireman in the discharge of his duties as provided in this chapter. (Prior code § 4-3-11)
2.65.120 Compensation.
All firemen of the Huachuca City fire department shall be compensated as determined by the council. No member of the department shall receive any compensation for his duties except as the council may prescribe. (Prior code § 4-3-12)
2.65.130 Reference to fire code.
The “International Fire Code” adopted by Section 2.65.140 shall serve as reference for all definitions pertinent in this chapter. (Ord. 16-02 § 2, 2016; prior code § 4-3-13)
2.65.140 Adoption of the International Fire Code.
That certain code entitled “International Fire Code” and amendments thereto, 2018 Edition, as copyrighted by the International Code Council, Inc., is hereby adopted as the “Fire Code of Huachuca City” and made a part of this chapter the same as though said code was specifically set forth in full herein. Refer to Section 15.50.020 for the adopted amendments to the 2018 International Fire Code. (Ord. 22-04 § 1, 2022; Ord. 16-02 § 2, 2016; Ord. 06-01, 2006; Ord. 96-002, 1996; Ord. 95-001, 1995; Ord. 90-07, 1990; prior code § 4-4)
2.65.150 Burn permits.
The town, through the fire chief, is hereby authorized to cooperate in administering a burn permit program with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, pursuant to statutes and rules adopted by the state of Arizona. (Ord. 16-02 § 3, 2016)