(A) Volunteer Fire Department.
(1) There is hereby established for the town a Volunteer Fire Department under the provisions of the State Volunteer Fireman’s Act, 11 O.S. §§ 29-201 et seq.
(2) The Town Volunteer Fire Department shall consist of not less than eight and not more than 20 members. The Department shall not employ more than two full-time, salaried firefighters.
(Prior Code, § 8-1)
(B) Minimum rules and regulations of Volunteer Fire Department.
(1) The Fire Department shall adopt a code of minimum rules and regulations in substantial compliance with the following:
(a) The Fire Chief.
1. The Chief shall be the head of the Department, subject to the laws of the state, ordinances of this municipality, and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant hereto. The Chief shall be appointed in the manner provided by the law applicable to this municipality for the appointment of municipal officers.
2. The Chief shall be responsible for the general condition and efficient operation of the Department, the training of members, and the performance of all other duties imposed upon him or her by law or the municipality.
3. The Chief may inspect or cause to be inspected by members of the Department the municipal fire hydrants, cisterns, and other sources of water supply of the municipality at least twice a year.
4. The Chief shall maintain a library or file of publications on fire prevention and fire protection and shall make use of it to the best advantage of all members.
5. The Chief shall make every effort to attend all fires and shall direct the officers and members in the performance of their duties.
6. The Chief shall see that the citizens are kept informed on fire hazards in the community and on the activities of the Department.
7. The Chief shall see that each fire is carefully investigated to determine its cause and, in the case of suspicion of incendiarism, shall notify proper authorities. The Chief shall secure and preserve all possible evidence for future use in the case of suspicious incendiarism.
8. The Chief shall file the appropriate activity report forms with the office of the State Fire Marshal each calendar year of those instances that include loss of life, personal injury, or property damage exceeding $15,000. The reports shall include but shall not be limited to notification of all fire-related injuries and deaths in the respective jurisdiction, amount of property damage, and of firefighter injuries in the line of duty requiring the services of a physician.
(b) The Assistant Chief. In the absence of the Chief, the Assistant Chief on duty shall command the Department and shall have the full powers and responsibilities of the Chief.
(c) Company officers. The company officers shall be selected upon their:
1. Knowledge of firefighting;
2. Leadership ability; and
3. Knowledge of firefighting equipment.
(d) The Secretary/Treasurer. One member elected by the Fire Department shall be Secretary/Treasurer. His or her duties shall consist of the following:
1. Calling the roll at the opening of each meeting;
2. Keeping the minutes of each meeting; and
3. Collecting any money due to the Department by the members.
(e) New members.
1. All new members shall be on probation for one year after their appointment.
2. New volunteer members, upon completion of their probation period, must be approved by the majority of the Fire Department.
(f) Bylaws. The bylaws of the Department shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following.
1. All volunteer firefighters are required to respond to alarms of fire and other emergencies when notified.
2. A volunteer firefighter is required to be present at all regular meetings and call meetings and schools presented for the benefit of the firefighters.
3. There shall be at least one regular business meeting each month.
4. Any volunteer firefighter having two unexcused absences in succession or three unexcused absences in a period of three months will be expelled from the Fire Department rolls.
5. Volunteer firefighters leaving the municipality for an extended period of time will be expelled from the rolls.
6. Any volunteer firefighter refusing to attend training classes provided for him or her will be expelled from the rolls.
7. Any volunteer member of the Fire Department shall be expelled from the rolls for the following offenses:
a. Conduct unbecoming of a firefighter;
b. Any act of insubordination;
c. Neglect of duty;
d. Any violation of rules and regulations governing the Fire Department; or
e. Conviction of a felony.
(2) Copies of this code of ordinances and any amendments thereto relating to the Volunteer Fire Department shall be submitted to the State Insurance Commission when such ordinances are adopted or amended by the Town Board.
(Prior Code, § 8-2)
Statutory reference:
Related provisions, see 11 O.S. §§ 29-101, 29-201, 29-203, and 29-204