San Diego County Municipal Code Ch. 2 Regulation of Volunteer Fire Companies

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*Editor's note--Chapter 2, Attack Warning Precautions, §§ 31.201--31.203, repealed by Ord. No. 8312 (N.S.), effective 11-4-93. New Chapter 2, Regulation of Volunteer Fire Companies, §§ 31.201—31.202, added by Ord. No. 9950 (N.S.), effective 8–22-08.

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Health and Safety Code section 14831 provides that the Board of Supervisors of a county which has a population of 1,000,000 or more may, by ordinance, regulate the formation and continued existence of volunteer fire companies. This chapter is adopted pursuant to that authority.

(Added by Ord. No. 9950 (N.S.), effective 8-22-08)

(a) No volunteer fire company shall be formed unless the Board approves its formation. The proponents for formation of the company shall file an application with the department designated by the Chief Administrative Officer.

(b) The Chief Administrative Officer shall review the application and make a recommendation to the Board for approval, conditional approval or denial of formation.

(c) The Board shall consider the following factors before approving formation of a volunteer fire company:

(1) The need for services.

(2) The adequacy of funding for the services.

(3) Whether creation of the company complies with any plan adopted by the Board for the delivery of fire protection and emergency medical services in the unincorporated area of the County.

(4) Whether the provision of supplemental or competing fire services by any other entity would result in the mismanagement of emergencies or in confusion to those seeking aid.

(d) The Board may order the dissolution of or consolidation of existing companies after considering the factors in subdivision (c).

(e) Nothing in this section requires a volunteer fire company that exists on the effective date of this section to obtain approval from the Board to continue in existence. The existence of each such company is hereby approved unless the Board affirmatively orders the dissolution of the company.

(Added by Ord. No. 9950 (N.S.), effective 8-22-08)

(a) Persons serving as Volunteer Reserve Firefighters for San Diego County Fire, shall be paid a stipend allowance to offset the costs these volunteers may incur for each shift worked. The allowance is meant to reimburse the volunteers for expenses related to travel, food, equipment and training related to the preparation for and provision of firefighting and emergency medical services. The allowance also provides a nominal stipend based upon the position assigned.

(b) Stipend Amounts. Specific stipend amounts are listed by Volunteer Reserve Firefighter assignments:

(Added by Ord. No. 10392 (N.S.), effective 10-29-15; amended by Ord. No. 10628 (N.S.), effective 10-25-19; amended by Ord. No. 10859 (N.S.), effective 9-28-23)