St. Helena Municipal Code Ch. 2.48 Fire Department

Sections:

• 2.48.010 Establishment of fire department.

• 2.48.020 Fire chief.

• 2.48.030 Monthly drills.

• 2.48.040 Ownership of fire department equipment.

• 2.48.050 Duties of chief.

• 2.48.060 Primary responsibility to city. 2.48.070 Fire marshal.

Prior legislation: Prior code §§ 5A.2, 5A.3, 5A.4 and 5A.6.

A department to be hereafter known as the “St. Helena Fire Department” of the city, hereinafter called the fire department, the primary purposes of which shall be the prevention and suppression of fire and the protection of life and property within the city limits is created. The fire department shall consist of the fire chief, the fire marshal, and as many employees as the city manager may designate, as set forth in Section 2.12.060(B)(2). (Ord. 16-2 § 1 (Exh. A); prior code § 5A.1)

There shall be a chief of the fire department who shall be appointed by the city council. The chief shall be appointed every three years in February of the three-year cycle. The fire department may recommend to the city council prior to appointment of a chief its choice or choices for chief. The chief shall report directly to and be supervised by the city manager as set forth in Section 2.12.060(B)(2). (Ord. 16-2 § 1 (Exh. A))

The fire department shall conduct, at least twice a month, suitable drills or instruction in the operation and handling of equipment, first aid and rescue work, salvage, a study of buildings in the city, fire prevention, water supplies and all other matters generally considered essential to the safety of life and property from fire. (Ord. 16-2 § 1 (Exh. A); prior code § 5A.5. Formerly 2.48.050)

All the equipment now owned or which may be acquired hereafter by the fire department shall belong to the city. (Ord. 16-2 § 1 (Exh. A); prior code § 5A.7. Formerly 2.48.070)

The duties of the chief shall include all of the following: (A) be responsible for the morale and general efficiency of the fire department, (B) take charge of any fire that may occur, (C) see that complete records are kept of all fires, inspections, apparatus and equipment, (D) serve as the head of the fire department with responsibility for supervising department employees, making recommendations to the city manager regarding personnel actions pursuant to Section 2.12.060(B)(2), and taking personnel actions as authorized by the city’s personnel policies and rules, and (E) perform all duties imposed upon the chief by all applicable laws, and rules and regulations of the city. In the absence of the chief, the next ranking officer of the fire department shall discharge the chief’s duties and exercise the chief’s powers. (Ord. 16-2 § 1 (Exh. A); prior code § 5A.8. Formerly 2.48.080)

The primary responsibility of the fire department is to provide fire protection and suppression to the territory within the city; provided, however, the city council may enter into agreements with the county or other public agencies to provide fire suppression services outside the city limits and to provide for mutual aid. (Ord. 16-2 § 1 (Exh. A); prior code § 5A.9. Formerly 2.48.090)

The fire chief shall recommend to the city manager the appointment of a fire marshal to administer the uniform fire code inspection program. The fire marshal shall have power to inspect all premises within the city at any and all reasonable times for the purpose of determining if any state laws, provisions of this code or any ordinances of the city, or any regulations of the city council are being violated, or any conditions exist, which, in the fire marshal’s judgment, create fire hazards. (Ord. 16-2 § 1 (Exh. A))