(A) The Chief of the Fire Department of this city with the approval of the Board of Public Works and Safety is authorized on behalf of the city to enter into (and from time to time alter and amend) an agreement with any or all of the fire companies in the mutual aid area defining and putting into effect a mutual aid program providing generally as set forth in this section.
(B) In the event that, in the judgment of the officer in charge of the Fire Department of a stricken area, the available firefighting equipment of that area is inadequate to effectively cope with a fire or other disaster therein, the officer may call on a neighboring participating area to furnish firefighting equipment and personnel (to the extent specified in the agreement) to the stricken area, for use, either:
(1) In combating the fire or other casualty, or
(2) As a standby reserve to meet other calls that may occur before the local firefighting equipment is free to take care of them.
(C) Each aiding area furnishing firefighting equipment to a stricken area shall have the right to call on another participating area for firefighting equipment and personnel (to the extent specified in the agreement) as a standby reserve to take the place, in part, of the equipment furnished to the stricken area until such equipment shall be returned.
(D) On receipt of a call under division (B) or (C) above, the aiding area called upon shall (to the extent provided in the agreement) furnish the equipment and personnel called for by the stricken area or by the first aiding area except that each aiding area or by the first aiding area, except that each aiding area may always be permitted to retain sufficient firefighting equipment and personnel to fight any fire or to meet any emergency within its own boundaries that may reasonably be anticipated.
(`94 Code, § 36.16) (Ord. 1-1981, passed 3-16-81)