Chapter 2.32 Fire Departments
EMERGENCY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Sections:
2.32.010 Department designated.
2.32.020 Officers.
2.32.030 Chiefs--duties.
2.32.040 Assistant chief.
2.32.050 Membership--Eligibility
2.32.060 Membership--Suspension and discharge
2.32.070 Police powers.
2.32.080 (repealed)
2.32.090 Contracts with other communities.
2.32.100 Equipment
2.32.110 Equipment--Use outside of city.
2.32.120 Equipment--Misuse.
2.32.130 Purchases.
2.32.140 Storage
2.32.150 Alarms
2.32.160 Trespassing.
2.32.010 Department Designated. There shall be an Emergency Services department for the city, to respond to emergencies. (Prior code AO §6.03.00)
2.32.020 Officers. The department shall consist of a chief, assistant chiefs, and other officers as the chief may deem necessary for the effective operation of the department. (Prior code AO §6.03.05)
2.32.030 Chief--Duties. A. The chief shall be appointed by the city council for a fiscal year, July 1st thru June 30th, and his/her tenure of office shall depend upon his/her good conduct and efficiency. The chief shall be technically qualified by training and experience and shall have ability to command personnel and hold their respect and confidence. He/she shall be removed only for just cause and after a public hearing before the city council and by the majority vote of the city council. If a vacancy occurs during the fiscal year, a fire chief will be appointed to fill the remainder of the term.
B. The chief shall be held accountable for the department only. All other department and company officers shall be accountable to the chief only.
C. The chief shall formulate a set of Standard Operating Procedures to govern the department, be responsible to the city for the personnel, morale, and general efficiency of the department.
D. (repealed)
E. The chief is required to assist the proper authorities in suppressing the crime of arson by investigating or causing to be investigated the crime, origin and circumstances of all emergency responses.
F. The chief shall see that complete records are kept of all fires, inspections, apparatus, and personnel.
G. The chief shall report monthly to the city the condition of the apparatus and equipment; the number of fires during the month, their location and cause, the date of the same and loss occasioned thereby; the number and purpose of runs made; and the number of members responding to each fire or other run, and any changes in membership and Standard Operating Procedures.
H. The chief shall make a complete annual report to the city within one month of the close of the fiscal year, such report to include the information specified in subsection G of this section, together with comparative data for previous years, and recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the department. A copy of the Standard Operating Procedures will be maintained on fire at the city offices. (Ord. 04-02; Prior code AO §6.02.10)
2.32.040 Assistant chief. The assistant chief and department officers shall be appointed by the chief. Such officers shall be accountable only to the chief, and subject to removal by him/ her. (Ord. 04-02; Prior code AO §6.03.15)
2.32.050 Membership--Eligibility. The membership of the department shall consist of such persons as may be appointed by the chief and shall be citizens residing within the city emergency response area, preferably property owners whose business activities are normally within the confines of the city. Membership applications, copies of certification and a copy of their valid Alaska Drivers License will be kept on file. (Ord. 04-02; Prior code AO S6.03.20 (a))
2.32.060 Membership—Suspension and discharge. Any member of the department may be suspended or discharged from the department by the chief at any time he may deem such action necessary for the good of the department. On written request of such member to the city he shall be give a public hearing on this. (Prior code AO §6.03.25)
2.32.070 Police powers. All regularly appointed members of the department are given the necessary special police powers for the purposes of enforcing scene and safety of our residents. (Ord. 04-02; Prior code AO §6.03.25)
2.32.080 (Repealed, Ord. 04-02)
2.32.090 Contracts with other communities. The city is authorized to enter into agreements with nearby communities or governing bodies of such other organizations to provide the members of such communities or organizations with emergency services or to establish a mutual aid agreements. (Ord. 04-02; Prior code AO §6.03.65)
2.32.100 Equipment. The department shall be equipped with such apparatus and other equipment to maintain its efficiency and properly protect lives and property. (Ord. 04-02; Prior code AO §6.03.35)
2.32.110 Equipment--use outside of city. No apparatus shall be hired out or permitted to leave the city except in response to a mutual aid request without the consent of the fire chief. The officer in charge of the department shall have power to assign equipment for response to calls for outside aid in accordance with Section 2.32.090, and in other cases only when the absence of such equipment will not jeopardize protection in the city. (Ord. 04-02; Prior code AO §S6.03.70)
2.32.120 Equipment--Misuse. No person shall use any emergency apparatus or equipment for any private purpose, nor shall any person willfully and without proper authority take away or conceal any article used in any way by the department. (Ord. 04-02; Prior code AO §S6.03.55)
2.32.130 Purchases. Recommendations of apparatus and equipment needed shall be made by the fire chief, and after approval by the city shall be purchased in such manner as may be designated by the city council. (Prior code AO §6.03.45)
2.32.140 Storage. All equipment of the department shall be safely and conveniently housed in such places as may be designated by the chief. Such places shall be heated during the winter season. (Prior code AO §6.03.45)
2.32.150 Alarms. Suitable equipment shall be provided for citizens to turn in alarms, and for notifying all members of the department so that they may promptly respond. (Ord. 04-02; Prior code AO §6.03.50)
2.32.160 Trespassing. No person shall enter any place where emergency apparatus is housed or handle any equipment belonging to the department unless accompanied by, or having the special permission of, an officer or authorized member of the department, or other city official. (Ord. 04-02; Prior code AO §6.03.60)