Chapter 2.25
FIRE DEPARTMENT

Sections:

2.25.010    Officers.

2.25.020    Duties of the Chief.

2.25.030    Membership.

2.25.040    Equipment.

2.25.050    General.

2.25.060    Enforcement.

2.25.070    Special officers.

2.25.010 Officers.

A. The Department shall consist of a Chief, Assistant Chief, and other officers as the Chief and the Town Council may deem necessary for the effective operation of the Department.

B. The Chief shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to the approval of the Council, for an indefinite period. His tenure of office shall depend upon his good conduct and efficiency. The Chief shall be technically qualified by training and experience and shall have the ability to command people and hold their respect and confidence. He shall be removed only for just cause and, upon his written request, shall be given a public hearing before the Town Council before such removal.

C. The Chief shall be held accountable to the Town Council only, and shall make written and verbal reports thereto as the Council may require. All other Department officers shall be accountable to the Chief only.

D. The Assistant Chiefs and all other Department officers shall be appointed by the Chief, subject to the approval of the Town Council, and subject to removal in the same manner. [Ord. 156 § 1, 1978; Ord. 76 § 1, 1950].

2.25.020 Duties of the Chief.

A. The Chief shall formulate a set of rules and regulations to govern the Department, said rules and regulations to bear the approval of the Town Council, and he shall be responsible to the Town Council for the personnel, morale, and general efficiency of the Department.

B. The Chief shall at least once a month conduct suitable drills and instructions in the operation and handling of equipment, first aid and rescue work, salvage, study of buildings in the Town of Wilkeson, fire prevention, water supplies, and all other matters generally considered essential to good fire fighting and safety of life and property from fire.

C. The Chief is hereby 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.

D. The Chief and his designated and authorized inspectors shall follow the procedures established by the Pierce County Fire Prevention Bureau when requesting a search warrant for inspecting a building.

E. Any owner or occupant of a building who has been served with a notice to abate any fire hazard or hazards shall comply therewith and promptly notify the Chief when correction has been completed.

F. 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.

G. The Chief shall see that a complete monthly report is made to the Town Council of the condition of the apparatus and equipment; the number of fires during the month; their location and cause, the 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 the membership.

H. The Chief shall make a complete annual report to the Town Council within one (1) month after the close of the fiscal year, such report to include the information specified in subsection (G) of this section, together with comparative date for previous years and recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the Department. [Ord. 156 § 2, 1978; Ord. 76 § 2, 1950].

2.25.030 Membership.

A. The membership of the Department shall consist of such persons as appointed by the Chief, and shall reside within Station 3 area of Fire District 12.

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 Town Council, the member shall be given a hearing before the Town Council. [Ord. 98.13 § 1, 1998; Ord. 89.5 § 1, 1989; Ord. 156 § 3, 1978; Ord. 76 § 3, 1950].

2.25.040 Equipment.

A. The Department shall be equipped with the fire fighting apparatus and equipment that the Town of Wilkeson now owns, and that which may be acquired from time to time to maintain its efficiency and properly protect life and property from fire.

B. Recommendations of apparatus and equipment needed shall be made by the Chief, and after approval by the Town Council shall be purchased in such manner as may be designated by the Town Council.

C. All equipment of the Department shall be safely and conveniently housed in such places as may be designated by the Town Council.

D. Suitable arrangement of equipment shall be provided for citizens to turn in an alarm, and for notifying all members of the Department so that they may respond promptly.

E. 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.

F. No person who is not a Fire Department member shall enter any place where fire apparatus is housed or use any apparatus or equipment belonging to the Department.

G. No apparatus shall be hired out or permitted to leave the designated fire stations, except in response to a call for aid at a fire in a neighboring community, without the consent of the Town Council. The officer in charge of the Department shall have power to assign equipment for response to calls for outside aid.

H. Any violation of this chapter shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars ($100.00). [Ord. 156 § 4, 1978; Ord. 76 § 4, 1950].

2.25.050 General.

A. Each member of the Department shall be issued a badge designating his rank.

B. All motor equipment and all personal cars of Department members shall have right-of-way over all other traffic when responding to an alarm.

C. 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.

D. No person shall maliciously turn in or cause to be turned in a false alarm. [Ord. 156 § 5, 1978; Ord. 76 § 5, 1950].

2.25.060 Enforcement.

A. All regularly appointed members of the Department are hereby given the necessary special police powers for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this chapter.

B. It is hereby 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. 156 § 6, 1978; Ord. 76 § 6, 1950].

2.25.070 Special officers.

A. The Department may elect a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, to be known as Social and/or Business Officers. Such officers may be elected in any manner and for any term the membership may decide upon, and their duties shall be to arrange for and manage any and all social functions sponsored by the Department.

B. The functions and duties of the Social Officers shall in no wise interfere with those of the regular Department officers who are charged with responsibility for all fire service activities of the Department. [Ord. 156 § 7, 1978; Ord. 76 § 7, 1950].