Chapter 2.32
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Sections:
I. Created – Officers
2.32.010 Department created – Chapter 41.08 RCW adopted by reference.
2.32.020 Officers – Designated.
2.32.030 Appointment of officers.
II. Duties of the Chief
2.32.040 Rules and regulations.
2.32.060 Investigation of fires.
2.32.070 Fire chief – Inspection – Warrant.
2.32.080 Notice to abate fire hazard – Compliance required.
III. Membership
2.32.100 Qualifications – Appointments.
IV. Equipment
2.32.140 Recommendation and purchases – Recommendation of apparatus.
2.32.160 Fire alarm equipment.
2.32.190 Entering place where housed – Department personnel to accompany.
2.32.200 Fire protection agreement.
2.32.210 Apparatus – Hiring out or permitting to leave town when authorized.
2.32.215 Fees for services to nonresidents.
V. Volunteer Firemen’s Relief and Compensation Fund
VI. General Regulations
2.32.240 Driving over fire hose prohibited.
2.32.250 Obstructing fire station entrance and fire hydrant.
2.32.260 Following apparatus in vehicle or parking near fire.
2.32.270 Malicious or false alarm prohibited.
2.32.280 Riding on apparatus – Unauthorized persons prohibited.
VII. Enforcement
2.32.300 Penalty for violations.
2.32.310 Officers – Enforcement duties.
I. Created – Officers
2.32.010 Department created – Chapter 41.08 RCW adopted by reference.
A. A department to be known as the fire department, the object of which shall be prevention of fire and protection of life and property within the corporate limits of the city, is created as set forth in this chapter. The department shall consist of both volunteer firefighters, whose membership shall be as provided in SMC 2.32.100, 2.32.110 and 2.32.120, and such full paid firefighters as the city council may from time to time authorize.
B. Except as provided in this chapter, the system commonly known as civil service for city firefighters, as set forth in Chapter 41.08 RCW, is adopted for the full paid firefighters of the fire department, excluding the chief. The civil service system shall be unified with the civil service system for city police created under Chapter 2.16 SMC. The Snoqualmie civil service commission established in SMC 2.16.020 shall also serve as the civil service commission for the fire department, and shall administer the system according to rules prescribed in or adopted pursuant to Chapter 41.08 RCW, as it exists or may be amended at or after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter. (Ord. 1204 § 2, 2018; Ord. 660 § 4, 1991; Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
2.32.020 Officers – Designated.
The officers of the fire department shall be a chief, an assistant chief, a fire marshal, two captains and four lieutenants. (Ord. 660 § 5, 1991; Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
2.32.030 Appointment of officers.
The mayor shall appoint the fire chief, subject to the confirmation of city council, who shall serve at the pleasure of the mayor. All other officers shall be appointed by the fire chief; provided, if the position is to be filled by a full paid firefighter, the provisions of the civil service system shall apply. (Ord. 660 § 6, 1991; Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
II. Duties of the Chief
2.32.040 Rules and regulations.
The chief shall formulate a set of rules and regulations to govern the department, subject to the approval of the council, and shall be responsible to the council, and mayor for the personnel, morale and general efficiency of the department. (Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
2.32.050 Meetings and drills.
The chief shall, on Tuesday of each week, hold meetings and conduct drills. The first Tuesday of each month shall be designated as business meeting, and each following Tuesday shall be designated as drills. Drills in all matters generally considered and essential to good firemanship and safety to life and property from fire. (Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
2.32.060 Investigation of fires.
The chief is required to assist the proper authorities in suppressing crime or arson by investigating or causing to be investigated the cause, origin, and circumstances of all fires. (Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
2.32.070 Fire chief – Inspection – Warrant.
A. The fire chief by himself or by his designated representative, shall inspect within the city at any reasonable hour, after a reasonable notice to the occupant and owner thereof, to determine the existence of any fire hazards and/or any violation of the provisions of the regulations adopted by Title 15 relating to buildings and construction.
B. Should any owner or occupant of premises deny access by the fire chief or his designated representative to such premises for the purpose of inspection, then upon good cause shown that the fire chief or his designated representative has reasonable grounds to believe that fire hazards and/or violations of the regulations of SMC Title 15 exist on the premises, a warrant authorizing the inspection of such premises shall be issued by the municipal judge directing the inspection of such premises by the fire chief or his designated representatives to determine the existence of fire hazards and/or violations of the regulations of SMC Title 15. (Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
2.32.080 Notice to abate fire hazard – Compliance required.
Any person so served with a notice to abate any fire hazard or hazards shall comply forthwith and promptly notify the chief or his designated representative of his compliance and abatement of the hazards or the hazards. (Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
2.32.090 Bookkeeping.
The chief shall see that complete records are kept of all fires, inspections, apparatus and minor equipment, personnel and other information about the operations of the department. (Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
III. Membership
2.32.100 Qualifications – Appointments.
The membership shall consist of firemen in such numbers as shall be determined by the State Fire Code, or law of the state, being such persons as may be selected by the department. (Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
2.32.110 Members – Removal.
Any fireman may be removed by the majority vote of the firemen, for failure to properly perform duty, or such other reason as may seem to be sufficient. (Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
2.32.120 Compensation.
Each member shall be paid from the funds budgeted by the city at a rate recommended by the fire department selected remuneration committee and approved by the city council. (Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
IV. Equipment
2.32.130 Required.
The department shall be equipped with such apparatus and equipment as may be required from time to time to maintain its efficiency and properly protect life and property from fire. (Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
2.32.140 Recommendation and purchases – Recommendation of apparatus.
Equipment needed shall be made known by the chief and after approval of the council, shall be purchased in such manner as may be designated by the council, and laws of the state. (Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
2.32.150 Housing.
All equipment of the department shall be safely and conveniently housed in such places as may be designated by the council. (Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
2.32.160 Fire alarm equipment.
Suitable arrangements of equipment shall be provided for citizens to turn on an alarm, and for notifying all members of the department so that they may properly respond to a fire alarm. (Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
2.32.170 Unlawful use.
No person shall use any fire apparatus or equipment for any private purpose, nor shall any person willfully and without proper authority take away or conceal any article used in any way by the department. (Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
2.32.180 Lawful use.
The apparatus may be used for suppression of a fire and for any other purpose for preservation of life, or other public emergency. (Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
2.32.190 Entering place where housed – Department personnel to accompany.
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. 480 § 1, 1980).
2.32.200 Fire protection agreement.
The city is authorize to enter into agreements or contracts with nearby communities or entities with fire protection or to establish a mutual system. (Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
2.32.210 Apparatus – Hiring out or permitting to leave town when authorized.
No apparatus shall be hired out or permitted to leave the city, except in the response to a call for aid in a neighboring community or entity without the consent of the chief. The officer in charge of the department shall have the power to assign equipment for the response to calls for outside aid in accordance with SMC 2.32.200 and in other cases only when the absence of such equipment will not jeopardize protection in the city. (Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
2.32.215 Fees for services to nonresidents.
A. For all responses by the Snoqualmie fire department which are made outside the corporate limits of the city in connection with services rendered to nonresidents of the city, the party for whose benefit such response was made shall be billed in accordance with the Fee Schedule for Fire Suppression, as adopted by the Washington State Association of Fire Chiefs, and published in publication WFCA – #50, as that schedule of fees now exists, or may hereafter be modified by the association.
B. Consumable items, such as foam, gas, oxygen or other materials which are used on any call outside the corporate limits of the city in connection with services rendered to any nonresident of the city shall be billed at replacement cost in addition to the foregoing fees.
C. Equipment destroyed or lost while combatting a fire outside the corporate limits of the city in connection with services rendered to nonresidents of the city shall, to the extent not covered by insurance, be replaced by the party for whose benefit the response was made.
D. For all responses on Interstate Highway 90 (I-90), whether within or without the corporate limits of the city, in connection with services rendered to nonresidents of the city, consumable items such as foam, air, oxygen or other materials, and equipment destroyed or lost while combatting a fire shall, to the extent not covered by insurance, be billed at replacement cost to the party for whose benefit the response was made.
E. Charges for transportation in connection with emergency medical care by the Snoqualmie Fire Department shall be the same as those charged by local private ambulance services. Charges shall be computed using a base fee of $205.00 plus $9.50 per mile from the site of the patient’s pickup to any hospital, emergency room, physician’s office or transfer point to which the patient is transported. These charges shall be at the discretion of the fire chief.
F. The foregoing charges shall not be applicable to responses made pursuant to any fire protection contract or mutual aid agreement.
G. If any section, clause or phrase of this section is held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the remaining portions hereof. (Ord. 686 §1, 1992; Ord. 611 § 1, 1989; Ord. 598 § 1, 1988; Ord. 550 § 1, 1985; Ord. 542 § 1, 1984).
V. Volunteer Firemen’s Relief and Compensation Fund
2.32.220 Board of trustees.
There is created a board of trustees of the volunteer firemen’s relief and compensation fund consisting of the mayor, city clerk-treasurer, one member of the city council selected by the mayor, the chief of the fire department, and one member of the department to be elected by the members thereof for a term of one year, annually thereafter. The mayor shall be ex officio chairman, the city clerk shall be ex officio secretary of the board of trustees. (Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
VI. General Regulations
2.32.230 Badge.
Each member of the department shall be issued a badge designating his rank. (Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
2.32.240 Driving over fire hose prohibited.
No person shall drive any vehicle over fire hose except upon specific orders from the chief or other officers in charge where the hose is used. (Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
2.32.250 Obstructing fire station entrance and fire hydrant.
No person shall park any private vehicle or otherwise cause any obstruction to be placed within 15 feet of the entrance to any fire station or other place where fire apparatus is stored, or within 15 feet of any fire hydrant. (Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
2.32.260 Following apparatus in vehicle or parking near fire.
No unauthorized person with any vehicle shall follow within 500 feet of any apparatus belonging to the department, nor park any unauthorized vehicle within 200 feet of a fire. (Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
2.32.270 Malicious or false alarm prohibited.
No person shall maliciously turn in or cause to be turned in a false alarm. (Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
2.32.280 Riding on apparatus – Unauthorized persons prohibited.
Persons not connected with the department shall not be permitted to ride on the apparatus, except on special occasions in the discretion and on the authorization of the chief. (Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
2.32.290 Burning prohibited.
No person, firm or corporation, shall burn any weeds, trash, rubbish or other material in the open unless they have a valid permit issued by the department. (Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
VII. Enforcement
2.32.300 Penalty for violations.
Any person violating the provisions of SMC 2.32.080, 2.32.170, and 2.32.180, and 2.32.240 through 2.32.290 shall, upon conviction, pay a fine of no more than $500.00, or be imprisoned for not more than six months, or be both so fined and imprisoned for each offense. (Ord. 480 § 1, 1980).
2.32.310 Officers – Enforcement duties.
It is the special duty of the chief of police, 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. 480 § 1, 1980).