Sonora Municipal Code § 2.20 Fire Department

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State Law reference— For statutory provisions on the establishment of city fire departments, see Gov. Code § 38611; for provisions authorizing a city to provide firefighting equipment, see Gov. Code § 38600; for further provisions regarding the fire chief, see Ordinance 450, on file in the office of the city clerk, which establishes the full-time salaried position of fire chief; for further provisions regarding the fire department, see Chapter 9.20 of this code.

A. The fire department of the city shall consist of a fire chief, herein referred to as the chief engineer; paid personnel as authorized by the city council of the city, volunteer firefighters herein referred to as active volunteers and one or more historical companies as described in Section 2.20.200.

B. The chief engineer shall be appointed by the city council of the city with the recommendation of the city administrator and shall serve at the pleasure of the city council.

C. All fire department personnel and active volunteers shall serve under the supervision of the chief engineer. All active volunteers shall be selected by the chief engineer who may select as many active volunteers as he deems necessary to provide adequate fire protection to the city. All active volunteers will be encouraged to join one of the historical companies as described in Section 2.20.200 of this code.

(Ord. 644 (part), 1988; Ord. 601 §§ 1, 2, 1985; Ord. 473 § 1, 1974; Ord. 175 § 1, 1942; Ord. 27 § 1, 1903.)

The chief engineer shall plan, organize, assign and direct departmental operations with respect to equipment, apparatus and personnel, including the supervision of subordinate officers; he shall approve training plans and programs for the department and maintain departmental firefighting efficiency; he shall give general supervision to the enforcement of fire prevention laws and ordinances, including safety regulations for public assemblies, the handling of storage of combustible materials, and the use of flammable liquids and explosives; he shall exercise purchasing and budgetary control, including the authority to expend city funds in time of an emergency to mitigate the emergency in accordance with the current city purchasing manual procedures. He shall review and give department approval to specifications for new equipment and apparatus; he shall assist in the development of city-wide personnel recruitment and promotion programs and policies; he shall recruit, promote and discipline department personnel, including active volunteers, within the policies, practices, and procedures approved by the city; he shall direct the preparation and analysis of fire records and reports to secure efficient operation of the department and to comply with authorized requests for information regarding department activities and personnel; he shall attend national, regional, state and local conferences, conventions and other educational meetings, with the approval of the city council of the city, to keep abreast of modern fire-fighting methods, investigations and administration; he shall direct and participate in the planning, organization and conduct of a strong city-wide fire prevention educational and investigation program; he shall respond to all fire and other emergency alarms and direct personnel in fire suppression and other related alarms. The chief engineer shall establish a chain of command for the purpose of delegating the duties and responsibilities of his office subject to the approval of the city council of the city.

(Ord. 644 (part), 1988; Ord. 27 § 15, 1903.)

A. The fire department may have one or more historical companies each of which shall elect their own officers and conduct meetings and other events. The historical companies are not a part of the active fire department and shall not take part in the operation of the Sonora fire department nor have any control over the Sonora fire department in any aspect. The historical companies may change or select the name of their organization subject to the approval of the city council.

B. The historical companies associated with the city fire department shall be known as Eureka Engine Company #1 and Independent Hose and Chemical Company #2.

C. The historical companies shall, subject to the approval of the city council of the city, make and adopt their own bylaws to govern their operation which are not inconsistent with applicable federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations.

D. Representatives of each historical company shall meet with the chief engineer as needed, but not less than semiannually, to discuss fire department activities.

(Ord. 667 (part), 1991; Ord. 644 (part), 1988; Ord. 27 § 21, 1903.)

A. The Sonora fire department shall respond to all medical emergencies and vehicle accidents in anticipation of an emergency situation that could be beyond the capability of available ambulance service. The purpose of this service is to provide properly trained and equipped personnel to the scene of a medical emergency as quickly and safely as possible. Personnel shall assess the need for other responding units, and provide immediate aid to the sick and injured.

B. Response shall be made primarily within the city limits of Sonora. Personnel shall respond to each medical emergency as directed by our Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). All responses to medical emergencies outside of the city limits shall be only on request of the Emergency Command Center (ECC). This request shall be made in the event of any emergency that is beyond the capabilities of the on-scene rescuers or if emergency resources are not available at the time of call and delay could cause great harm to the patient.

C. All paid personnel and active volunteers of the Sonora fire department must possess current certificates qualifying them to provide patient assessment, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, and basic life support (BLS). Certification must meet all requirements as listed in regional and state guidelines.

(Ord. 667 (part), 1991: Ord. 644 (part), 1988; Ord. 601 § 3, 1985.)