Ontario Municipal Code Art. 3 Fire Department

There shall be a Fire Department for the City under the administrative supervision of the City Manager.

(§ 1, Ord. 1463, eff. April 5, 1962)

The Fire Department shall consist of the following:

(a) The Fire Chief;

(b) The Deputy Chiefs; and

(c) As many other officers and firefighters as may be appointed as provided in this article.

(§ 2, Ord. 1463, eff. April 5, 1962)

(Repealed).

(§ 9, Ord. 1463, eff. April 5, 1962, repealed)

Suspension and removal: Reports by Fire Chief. Whenever the Fire Chief shall find it necessary to suspend or remove any member of the Fire Department, the Fire Chief shall at once report the same to the City Manager and the cause therefor.

(§ 10, Ord. 1463, eff. April 5, 1962)

(a) Fire Chief. The Fire Chief shall be appointed by the City Manager for an indefinite term, subject to confirmation by the Council, and shall be removed for cause after a proper hearing or in accordance with the applicable provisions in the Employment Agreement.

(b) Deputy Chiefs and other officers. The Deputy Chiefs, Battalion Supervisors and company officers shall be appointed by the Fire Chief, subject to the approval of the City Manager, for an indefinite term, and in the appointment of such officers, their seniority, ability, and service records shall be considered.

(§ 6, Ord. 1463, eff. April 5, 1962 as amended by § 1, Ord. 1564, eff. June 18, 1964)

Appointments of new firefighters into the Department shall be made with the object of improving the operation, efficiency, and general excellence of the manpower. In the selection of firefighters, consideration shall be given to the following rules:

(a) Age requirements. The age of applicants shall not be less than eighteen (18) years.

(b) Mental and physical requirements. All applicants shall pass a physical examination which shall not be inferior to the physical examination given by the United States Army for recruits. Such applicants shall also pass a mental and physical examination to determine their qualifications. Such examination shall be given under the supervision of the Fire Chief.

(§ 6, Ord. 1463, eff. April 5, 1962 as amended by § 1, Ord. 1564, eff. June 18, 1964)

All new firefighters shall serve for a probationary period of one (1) year before permanent appointment in the Fire Department. During such probationary period, the firefighters shall be under the observation of the Fire Chief with a view of deciding whether or not the applicants will be successful firefighters. Once appointed, appointees shall be secure in their positions during good behavior and proper performance of their duties as firefighters.

(§ 6(d), Ord. 1463, eff. April 5, 1962)

An eligibility list shall be provided, which list shall contain the names of applicants who have passed the examination and from which list may be selected new members for the Fire Department when needed.

(§ 6(e), Ord. 1463, eff. April 5, 1962)

The City Manager may make emergency appointments of special firefighters without regard to age.

(§ 6(f), Ord. 1463, eff. April 5, 1962)

The Fire Chief shall be the chief executive officer of the Fire Department and shall be vested with the following authorities and duties:

(a) Supervision of Department personnel. To have direct control, management, and direction of all officers and personnel of the Fire Department and to detail any of them to such public service as he/she may see fit, looking to the best interests and efficiency of the Department;

(b) Supervision at fires. To exercise supreme command over the Fire Department at fires and over all equipment belonging to the Department, to cause to be extinguished all fires with the least possible danger to life and property and prevent unnecessary damage by water at fires, and to see that the premises on which fires occur are left in such condition that the fires will not rekindle and cause further damage to life and property;

(c) Investigation of fires. To make a complete investigation of each fire, keeping a record of, and determining the cause of, the fire, the amount of loss to buildings and contents, the amount of insurance coverage and insurance paid, and the number and description of each building destroyed, together with the names of the owners and occupants;

(d) Enforcement of Department regulations. To carry out strictly the enforcement of the rules and regulations of the Fire Department and suspend or remove from service any officer or fire employee for cause in the manner provided in such regulations;

(e) Monthly reports. To observe the general condition of the Fire Department and apparatus and make a monthly report to the City Manager concerning the same, together with a complete report of the activities of the Department; and

(f) Annual reports. To make a complete annual report concerning the Fire Department in general, giving a description of the condition of the Department, making such suggestions and recommendations for major improvements as he/she may deem advisable, and reporting on the activities of the Fire Department during the year.

(§§ 1 and 3, Ord. 1463, eff. April 5, 1962)

(a) The Deputy Fire Chiefs shall rank next to the Fire Chief and shall have similar qualifications. The Deputy Fire Chiefs shall take complete charge in the absence of the Fire Chief and be vested with the same authorities and duties while so acting.

(b) Arrangements shall be made so that a Deputy Fire Chief will always be present in the absence of the Fire Chief. In the presence of the Fire Chief, it shall be the duties of the Deputy Fire Chiefs to aid the Fire Chief in every possible manner to maintain strict discipline and ensure the efficient operation of the Department.

(§ 4, Ord. 1463, eff. April 5, 1962)

A company officer shall be provided for each company in the Fire Department. Such officers shall, under the direction of the Fire Chief, have absolute command and control of their respective companies and shall be held responsible for discipline and the proper maintenance and condition of equipment.

(§ 5, Ord. 1463, eff. April 5, 1962)

A fire school is hereby established which shall be conducted by the Fire Chief in cooperation with the drillmaster. Such school shall consist of a study of modern and generally well-recognized methods of fire extinguishment, a plan for drills to be carried on during the month, and examinations testing firefighters on general knowledge attained at the fire school.

(§ 7, Ord. 1463, eff. April 5, 1962)

(a) The Fire Department shall be drilled and maintained to the end that fires shall be controlled immediately at their start to the extent possible. Drills shall be in charge of a competent officer or firefighter who shall be responsible for the proper training and drilling of firefighters and the standardization of methods.

(b) Strict discipline shall at all times be maintained for the purpose of contributing as a necessary factor to the smoothness of operation and efficiency of the Department.

(c) Training drills shall be held frequently at the order of the Fire Chief, or any person who may be so designated to call for training drills.

(§ 8, Ord. 1463, eff. April 5, 1962)

(a) Inspections required. The Fire Chief, or any member of the Fire Department the Fire Chief may so designate, is hereby authorized, empowered, and required to inspect from time to time, but not less frequently than once-a-year, all buildings and premises where accumulations of combustible materials or other hazardous conditions are likely to exist, and to order such changes or removals as, in his/her opinion, are necessary for safety from fire, principally in business and industrial sections.

(b) Right of entry. For the purpose of such inspections, the Fire Chief and such designated members are hereby empowered to enter any and all buildings and premises at any reasonable hour.

(§ 7, Ord. 1463, eff. April 5, 1962)