Morgan Hill Municipal Code Ch. 2.16 Fire Department

The purpose of the fire department shall be the prevention and suppression of fire and the protection of life and property within the limits of the city.

(Ord. 1197 N.S. § 1 (part), 1994)

The city manager shall advise the city council on all matters of staffing as he/she deems necessary for the effective operation of the fire department.

(Ord. 1197 N.S. § 1 (part), 1994)

The city manager shall appoint the fire chief. The fire chief is an "at-will" employee and serves at the pleasure of the city manager. The fire chief may be dismissed/terminated by the city manager at any time without cause and without right of appeal.

(Ord. 1197 N.S. § 1 (part), 1994)

A. The fire chief shall be the director of the fire department, subject to the laws of the state, county, ordinances of the city and the rules and regulations that are adopted in this chapter, and that may hereafter be amended or adopted.

B. The fire chief shall be held responsible for the general condition and effective operation of the department, the training of fire department employees and the performance of all other duties imposed upon him/her by the city manager.

C. The fire chief, with the approval of the city manager, shall formulate and administer a set of departmental polices to govern the department, and shall be responsible to the city manager for the personnel, morale and general efficiency of the department.

D. The fire chief will prepare and promulgate a standard operating procedures manual to cover all operating procedures.

E. The fire chief shall conduct or require suitable drills or instruction in the operation and handling of all fire equipment, procedures of fire sprinkler operation and hookup, first-aid and rescue work, salvage, a study of building within the city, fire prevention, water supplies and all other matters generally considered essential to good firefighting practices and safety of life and property from fire.

F. The fire 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. Nothing shall permit the city manager from directing the fire chief to operate the fire department as he/she deems appropriate for the good of the city.

(Ord. 1197 N.S. § 1 (part), 1994)

There is established a volunteer firefighter auxiliary whose primary function is to enhance or augment the personnel, duties and educational efforts of the fire department to the extent allowed by applicable laws, regulations and policies. Volunteer firefighters shall be trained for such duties and meet the minimum qualifications set forth by the fire chief and may be called to duty by the fire chief insofar as possible to enhance response to alarms of fire or other emergency situations or educational efforts. Volunteer firefighter personnel will serve under the direction and management of the fire chief and adhere to all rules and regulations of the city and fire department where applicable.

(Ord. 1197 N.S., § 1 (part), 1994; Ord. No. 2103 N.S., § 1, 4-2-2014)

The department shall be equipped with such apparatus and other equipment as may be required from time to time to maintain its efficiency to properly protect life and property from fire. Recommendations of apparatus and equipment needed shall be made by the fire chief, and approved by the city manager and city council following city purchasing procedures.

(Ord. 1197 N.S. § 1 (part), 1994)

No person shall enter any place where fire apparatus is housed or handle any apparatus or equipment belonging to the fire department unless accompanied by, or have special permission of, an officer or authorized member of the fire department. No apparatus shall be hired out or permitted to leave the city in response to a call for aid at a fire or other emergency or for resuscitator service in a neighboring community, unless an appropriate mutual aid agreement or contract shall have been duly executed. The officer in charge shall have power to assign equipment for response to call for outside aide in accordance with such agreements only when the absence of such equipment will not jeopardize protection in the city.

(Ord. 1197 N.S. § 1 (part), 1994)