35.01 ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE.

A volunteer fire department is hereby established to prevent and extinguish fires and to protect lives and property against fires, to promote fire prevention and fire safety, and to answer all emergency calls for which there is no other established agency.

35.02 ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The Fire Department, with the first business meeting January of each year, shall elect, by ballot of its membership, a Chief, a 1st Assistant, a 2nd Assistant, 3rd Assistant, and a Corresponding Secretary. Results of the election shall be forwarded to the City Council for approval at the next Council meeting. The officers of the Fire Department shall hold office for a period of one year or until their successors qualify, unless sooner discharged or removed for cause by the fire department officers. Council shall be notified of a removal of an officer. Appeals of the removal of an officer shall be heard by the Council. Appeals must be in writing and filed at City Hall within five days of removal of an officer.

35.03 FIRE CHIEF DUTIES.

The Fire Chief shall command all operations of the department, and be responsible for the care, maintenance, and use of all vehicles and equipment of the department. Subject to Council approval, the Fire Chief shall establish and maintain departmental rules to carry out the requirements of this chapter. The Fire Chief has the authority to enter and inspect any building or premises in the performance of his duties and shall make written orders to correct any conditions that are likely to cause fire or endanger other buildings and property.

35.04 VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS.

All persons who within a radius of three miles of the Durant fire station and are at least age 18 may be appointed to serve as a volunteer firefighter. All volunteers shall be selected by an election of the existing members of the volunteer Fire Department, which selection shall be subject to the approval of the Council. Prior to appointment as a volunteer firefighter, all applicants shall be required to complete a physical test as determined by the membership of the Fire Department. Removal and discipline of a member shall be governed by the internal policies of the Fire Department and handled by officers of the Fire Department. A removed member may appeal said removal to the Council by filing a written appeal with the City Hall within five days of said removal from the Fire Department.

35.05 FIREFIGHTER’S DUTIES.

When called by the Chief, all firefighters shall report for duty immediately in the manner directed by the Chief. They shall be subject to call at any time. They shall obey strictly the commands of any other firefighter who has been appointed by the Chief to be in command temporarily. Firefighters shall report for training as ordered by the Chief.

35.06 WORKER’S COMPENSATION AND HOSPITALIZATION INSURANCE.

The Council shall contract to insure the City against liability for worker’s compensation and against statutory liability for the costs of hospitalization, nursing, and medical attention for volunteer firefighters. All volunteer firefighters shall be covered by the contract.

35.07 LIABILITY INSURANCE.

The Council shall contract to insure against liability of the City or members of the department for injuries, death, or property damage arising out of and resulting from the performance of departmental duties.

35.08 FIRES OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS.

The department shall answer calls to fires and other emergencies outside the City limits if the Fire Chief determines that such emergency exists and that such action will not endanger persons and property within the City limits.