Tulare Municipal Code Ch. 3.04 Fire Department

Under the direction of the Fire Chief, the Fire Department is authorized to enforce all ordinances of the city pertaining to the following:

(A) The prevention of fires;

(B) The suppression of dangerous or hazardous fires;

(C) The storage, use and handling of hazardous materials;

(D) The installation and maintenance of alarm systems and fire extinguishing equipment;

(E) The maintenance and regulation of fire escapes;

(F) The maintenance of fire protection and the elimination of fire hazards;

(G) The maintenance of exists; and

(H) The investigation of the cause, origin and circumstances of fire and unauthorized releases of hazardous materials.

(1995 Code, § 3.04.010) (Ord. 2025-15, passed 12-16-2025; Ord. 2022-17, passed 12-20-2022; Ord. 16-12, passed 11-1-2016)

The Fire Chief, with the approval of the City Manager, is authorized to make and enforce such rules and regulations for the prevention and control of fires and fire hazards, as may be necessary from time to time, to carry out the intent of this code.

(1995 Code, § 3.04.020) (Ord. 2025-15, passed 12-16-2025; Ord. 2022-17, passed 12-20-2022)

Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce the provisions of this code, or whenever the Chief has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in any building or upon any premises any condition which makes such a building or premises unsafe, the Fire Chief or designee may enter the building or premises, at all reasonable times, to inspect the same or to perform any duty authorized by this code.

(1995 Code, § 3.04.030) (Ord. 2025-15, passed 12-16-2025)

Only authorized personnel shall operate or otherwise ride on any fire apparatus while en route to an emergency incident.

(1995 Code, § 3.04.040) (Ord. 2025-15, passed 12-16-2025; Ord. 2022-17, passed 12-20-2022; Ord. 16-12, passed 11-1-2016)

No person shall tamper with, handle, remove or otherwise injure any hose, ladder, fire apparatus or other equipment belonging to the city.

(1995 Code, § 3.04.050) (Ord. 2025-15, passed 12-16-2025; Ord. 2022-17, passed 12-20-2022; Ord. 16-12, passed 11-1-2016)

Except as directed by authorized personnel, it shall be unlawful for any person to interfere with any Fire Department personnel performing their duty.

(1995 Code, § 3.04.060) (Ord. 2025-15, passed 12-16-2025; Ord. 2022-17, passed 12-20-2022; Ord. 16-12, passed 11-1-2016)

The Fire Chief, or any other officer of the Fire Department in charge of the scene of a fire or other emergency involving the protection of life or property, shall have the authority to direct such operations as may be necessary to extinguish or control any fire, perform any rescue operation, investigate the existence of suspected or reported fires, gas leaks or other hazardous situations and take any other action necessary in the reasonable performance of their duty.

(Ord. 2025-15, passed 12-16-2025; Ord. 2022-17, passed 12-20-2022)

No person shall stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle, whether attended or unattended, except when in conflict with other traffic, in a fire lane. Fire lanes may be designated on public or private property. Any person in violation of this section is subject to an administrative fine. Vehicles may also be subject to removal at the owner’s expense.

(1995 Code, § 3.04.070) (Ord. 2025-15, passed 12-16-2025; Ord. 2022-17, passed 12-20-2022)

No person shall stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle within ten feet of a fire hydrant, except as provided in Cal. Vehicle Code § 22514.

(1995 Code, § 3.04.080) (Ord. 2025-15, passed 12-16-2025; Ord. 2022-17, passed 12-20-2022)

All fires are investigated to determine the origin and cause. Any fire where a suspect has been identified, an injury or death has occurred, or the fire loss is significant shall be referred to Fire Department investigator(s) who shall complete the investigation to determine cause, to secure and process evidence and to apprehend and prosecute those involved in criminal activity.

(1995 Code, § 3.04.090) (Ord. 2025-15, passed 12-16-2025; Ord. 2022-17, passed 12-20-2022)

Each member of the Fire Department is hereby granted police power to arrest any person violating any of the terms or provisions of this chapter. If the arrest is to be made at any time or place other than the site and time of the emergency incident where the crime was committed, the Police Department or Fire Department investigator shall make the arrest.

(1995 Code, § 3.04.100) (Ord. 2025-15, passed 12-16-2025; Ord. 2022-17, passed 12-20-2022)

Failure to depart the lands and structures embraced within the emergency scene when requested to do so by Fire Departmental personnel, entering within clearly established boundaries denoting a restricted area, or violation of any of the other terms of this chapter are misdemeanors.

(1995 Code, § 3.04.110) (Ord. 2025-15, passed 12-16-2025; Ord. 2022-17, passed 12-20-2022)