Colfax Municipal Code Ch. 2.28 Fire Department

A voluntary fire department is established in and for the city to consist of a fire chief and not more than thirty (30) active members.

(Prior code § 2-3.101)

The fire chief shall be appointed by the city manager, with the approval of a majority of the council. The fire chief shall serve at the pleasure of the city manager and may be removed by the city manager at any time thereafter with the consent of a majority of the city council. The fire chief may be removed with or without cause.

(Ord. 423 § 1, 1994: prior code § 2-3.102)

None of the officers or members of the fire department shall receive any compensation for their services, except the fire chief, who shall receive a monthly salary, the amount of which shall be fixed by resolution of the council.

(Prior code § 2-3.103)

The city manager shall be the immediate supervisor of the fire chief and all policies, directives and orders from the city government to the fire chief shall be made by or transmitted through the city manager as the executive head of the city government. The fire chief shall report directly to the city manager and not to the council, to individual members thereof or to any other committee or commission.

(Ord. 423 § 2 (part), 1994: prior code § 2-3.104)

The fire chief shall direct the administration and operations of the fire department and, in addition to policies transmitted to him or her by the city manager, shall establish such other policies, directives, rules and regulations for the administration and operations of the fire department as he or she sees fit. The fire chief shall serve as the appointing authority for appointments to positions within the fire department, other than his or her own and shall have the power to suspend or dismiss any employee consistent with the provisions of this code.

(Ord. 423 § 2 (part), 1994: prior code § 2-3.105)

The fire chief shall lead by professional example and by participating as a member of the city management team. He or she shall organize the fire department to accomplish its mission and shall coordinate and control the operations of major divisions within the fire department, as well as its relations with other firefighting agencies. Other responsibilities shall include such activities as:

A. The review and evaluation of fire department procedures and policies;

B. Conducting staff meetings and inspections to evaluate and improve departmental performance and efficiency;

C. The direction of the fire department toward meeting goals and objectives;

D. Planning for departmental needs and programs;

E. Providing advice and counsel to the city manager on matters pertaining to the fire department;

F. Providing information and maintaining external relations with the public;

G. The preparation and control of the annual operating budget for the fire department;

H. The fire chief shall have the supervision and control of the use and care of all fire hoses, fire engines, fixtures, apparatus and equipment; and

I. Any other responsibilities which may be delegated by the city manager.

(Ord. 423 § 2 (part), 1994: prior code § 2-3.106)

The fire department shall provide a suitable badge and identification for the use by its active members and which shall remain in the personal possession of the member while engaged in city business.

(Ord. 423 § 2 (part), 1994: prior code § 2-3.107)

Any person interfering with the work of the fire department at the time of a fire shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. During the time of a fire, the chief of police and other police officers shall lend their active aid to the officers and members of the fire department to procure the strict enforcement of the provisions of this chapter, if requested by the officer then in charge of the fire department.

(Ord. 423 § 2 (part), 1994: prior code § 2-3.108)

The city shall not have any control over use of funds raised for special purposes by the fire department or its members through donations, entertainments or social affairs, but such funds shall be used in the sole discretion of the fire department members in accordance with the public purpose for which they were raised. The funds shall be held in trust for the public and not inure to the benefit of any individual. A quarterly accounting of the funds raised and expenditures shall be provided to the city council and shall be subject to and included in the annual audit.

(Ord. 423 § 3, 1994: prior code § 2-3.109)

The city may provide for its volunteer fire department and related services by contract, agreement or other arrangement with any legal entity. All contracts, agreements and other arrangements to that effect previously approved by the city council are hereby ratified and approved.

(Ord. No. 545, § 1(Exh. A), 7-14-2021)