Chapter 2.24 — FIRE DEPARTMENT

The fire department of the city shall consist of a chief of the fire department, hereinafter referred to as "chief"; a first assistant chief; a second assistant chief; and a captain and four company officers who shall be designated as "lieutenants"; and thirty-two active firemen, all of whom shall be at least eighteen years of age and all of whom shall be appointed by the city manager pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance 220 codified in Chapter 2.16. (Ord. 180 § 1, 1963; Ord. 301 § 1, 1979)

It shall be the duty of the chief to divide the officers and firemen into companies as required. The chief may also specify from time to time what officers of firemen shall be in charge in case he or his assistants and the captain are absent from the city or are not in attendance. (Ord. 180 § 2, 1963; Ord. 301 § 2, 1979)

The powers and duties of the chief shall be as follows:

• A. In all cases of fire the chief shall have control of all members of the fire department, and of all engines and apparatus belonging thereto or connected with the same, and he shall adopt such measures as he shall deem necessary for the effectual extinguishment of fires and for the prevention of their spreading.

• B. The chief shall have general charge of all the property of the city connected with the fire department, and shall preserve and keep the same in complete repair and in the best order for immediate use, but no expenditures for the fire department other than for ordinary repairs of the fire apparatus shall be made without previous order of the city council.

• C. The chief shall take charge of, protect and preserve the engines, hose and all other property and equipment connected with the department, and he shall receive such compensation as the city council may fix from time to time by resolution.

• D. The chief shall perform such other duties pertaining to his office as may be prescribed by resolution or ordinance of the city council.

• (Ord. 180 § 3, 1963)

Whenever the chief shall be absent from the city, or unable to attend to his duties, the first assistant chief shall perform the duties of the chief, and in case of his absence, the second assistant chief shall perform such duties; in case of the absence of the chief, first and second assistants, the captain shall be in charge. (Ord. 180 § 4, 1963)

It is unlawful for any member of the fire department to disobey any order or direction given by

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City of Patterson, CA

ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL

§ 2.24.060

§ 2.24.120

the chief or either of the assistant chiefs or captain at a drill, alarm or fire or while on duty, and they may be dismissed by the chief from the department for infraction of any of the rules thereof. (Ord. 180 § 5, 1963)

The chief, or any assistant chief or captain in case of fire, may command the assistance of any or all residents of the city to assist in extinguishing the same, and it is unlawful for any person to refuse to render reasonable assistance in extinguishing a fire when directed to do so by the chief and the assistant chiefs or captain.

(Ord. 180 § 6, 1963)

The compensation of the fire department shall be such sums per member per year as the city council may by resolution prescribe, to be paid to the members of the fire department proportionately, according to their attendance at fires, drills and meetings. (Ord. 180 § 7, 1963)

The chief and every other fireman qualified pursuant to the provisions of Penal Code Section 832, during the time of any fire, shall have the powers of a peace officer and may, with or without complaint, arrest any disorderly person or any person attempting to steal any property. (Ord. 180 § 8, 1963; Ord. 301 § 3, 1979)

The chief or the person acting as such, shall make a written report annually, in the month of January, of the condition of the fire apparatus of the city in the keeping of the fire department, and of all fires and the cause thereof if known, and the estimated loss of the same, and such other information as he may deem proper, and for a failure to comply with the provisions of this section for one month after such report is required to be made, his office shall be declared vacant. (Ord. 180 § 9, 1963)

The chief and his assistants, before entering upon the duties of their offices, shall take an oath or affirmation to well and truly perform the duties of same. (Ord. 180 § 10, 1963)

In addition to the other officers and boards of the fire department the office of inspector is established. The inspector shall be appointed by resolution of the city council after consultation with the chief of the fire department, and he shall hold office at the pleasure of the city council and shall receive such compensation as the city council may from time to time establish by resolution. The city council may also by resolution, if it so desires, establish fees to be paid by owners or users of premises for such inspection, provided that no fees shall be charged owners or occupants of private residences which may be inspected. The inspector shall have such duties as are set forth in the fire prevention code of the city as same shall be adopted and

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City of Patterson, CA

PATTERSON CODE

§ 2.24.120

§ 2.24.130

in force at the time of such inspection, and in addition shall make such inspection, orders and recommendations as may from time to time be ordered by the chief of the fire department, or by motion or resolution of the city council.

(Ord. 180 § 10A, 1963; Ord. 200 § 1, 1969)

Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment not to exceed ninety days, or both such fine and imprisonment.

(Ord. 180 § 12, 1963; Ord. 301 § 4, 1979)

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City of Patterson, CA

ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL

§ 2.28.010

§ 2.28.020