Dorris Municipal Code Ch. 2.36 Fire Department

Sections: 2.36.010 2.36.020 2.36.030 2.36.040 2.36.050 2.36.060 2.36.070 2.36.080 2.36.090 2.36.100 2.36.110 2.36.120 2.36.130 2.36.140 2.36.150 2.36.160

Membership. Suspension or discharge. Equipment. Badges. Automobile insignia. Fire chief-Appointment. Accountability. Fire chief-Powers and duties. Authority to enter premises--Notice of abatement. Compliance required. Use of fire equipment. False alarms. Special police powers. Special duty of police. Violation-Penalty. Established. A department to be hereafter known as the Dorris fire department, the object of which shall be the prevention of fire and the protec- tion of life and property within the limits of the city is created. The department shall con- sist of a chief, two assistant chiefs and other officers as the chief and council may deem necessary for the effective operation of the department. (Ord. 129 (part), 1953: prior code§ 4100)

The membership of the department shall consist of such persons as may be appointed 21 by the chief and shall be able-bodied citizens residing within the city, preferably property owners whose business activities are nor- mally within the city limits, and who have telephones in their homes. Determination of whether candidates for appointment are able- bodied shall be made by the chief after a medical and physical examination has been made in a manner prescribed by the chief and approved by the council. (Ord. 129 (part), 1953; prior code § 41 06)* • Editor's Note: At the time of codification, this section was editorially amended to be gender neutral.

Any member of the department may be suspended or discharged from the department by the chief at any time the chief may deem such action necessary for the good of the de- partment. On written request of such member to the city council such member shall be given a public hearing on the charges brought by the chief. (Ord. 129 (part), 1953; prior code§ 4107)

The department shall 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 prop- erty from fire. Recommendations of appara- tus and equipment needed shall be made by the chief, and after approval by the council shall be purchased in such manner as may be designated by the council. All equipment of the department shall be safely and conven- iently housed in such places as may be desig- nated by the council. Such places shall be heated during the winter season. Suitable

( I arrangement or equipment shall be provided for citizens to tum in an alarm, and for notify- ing all members of the department so that they may promptly respond. (Ord. 129 (part), 1953; prior code§ 4108)

Each member of the department shall be issued a badge designating his or her rank. (Ord. 129 (part), 1953; prior code§ 4110)

Each member of the department driving a car shall be issued a suitable insignia to be attached to the car. (Ord. 129 (part), 1953; prior code§ 4112)

The chief shall be appointed by the council for an indefinite period of time, and his or her tenure of office shall depend upon his or her good conduct and efficiency, The chief shall be technically qualified by training and ex- perience and shall have ability to command men and women and hold their respect and confidence. The fire chief shall be removed only for just cause and after a public hearing before the council. (Ord. 129 (part), 1953; prior code§ 4101)

The chief shall be held accountable to the council only, and shall make written and ver- bal reports thereto as the council may require. All other department officers shall be ac- countable to the chief only. The assistant chiefs and all other department officers shall be appointed by the chief. Such officers shall be accountable only to the chief, and subject 22 to removal by him. (Ord. 129 (part), 1953; prior code § 41 02)

duties. The chief shall formulate a set of rules and regulations to govern the department, and shall be responsible to the council for the personnel, morale and general efficiency of the department. The chief shall determine the number and kind of companies of which the department is to be composed and shall de- termine the response of such companies to alarms. The chief shall at least once a month conduct suitable drills or instruction in the operation and handling of equipment, first aid and rescue work, salvage, a study of build- ings in the city, fire prevention, water sup- plies, and all other matters generally consid- ered essential to good firemanship and safety of life and property from fire. 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. The chief shall report monthly to the council the condition of the apparatus and equipment; the number of firms 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 re- sponding to each fire or other run, and any changes in membership. The chief shall make a complete annual report to the council within one month after the close of the fiscal year, such report to include the information speci- fied herein, together with comparative data for previous years and recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the depart-

ment. (Ord. 129 (part), 1953; prior code § 4103)

premises-Notice of abatement. The chief is empowered to enter any and all buildings and premises at any reasonable hour for the purpose of making inspections and to serve written notice upon the owner or occupant to abate, within a specified time, any and all fire hazards that may be found. (Ord. 129 (part), 1953; prior code§ 4104)

Any person so served with a notice to abate any fire hazard or hazards, shall comply therewith and promptly notify the chief. (Ord. 129 (part), 1953; prior code§ 4105)

No person shall use any fire apparatus or equipment for any private purpose, nor shall any person wilfully and without proper au- thority take away or conceal any article used in any way by the department. No person shall enter any place where fire apparatus is housed or handle any apparatus or equipment belonging to the department unless accompa- nied by, or having the special permission of, an officer or authorized member of the de- partment. (Ord. 129 (part), 1953; prior code§ 4109)

No person shall maliciously turn in or cause to be turned in a false alarm. (Ord. 129 (part), 1953; prior code§ 4115) 23

All regularly appointed members of the department are given the necessary special police powers for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 129 (part), 1953; prior code § 4116)

It is made the special duty of the chief of police and/or other peace officers who may be on duty and available for frre duty, to re- spond to all fire alarms and assist the depart- ment in the protection of life and property, in regulating traffic, maintaining order, and in enforcing observance of all sections of this chapter. (Ord. 129 (part), 1953; prior code § 4117)

Any person violating the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction in a court of competent jurisdiction, pay a fine of not less than ten dollars ($10.00) or more than one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each offense. (Ord. 129 (part), 1953; prior code§ 4119)

23-1 (Revised 5-17)