(A) In order to uphold the safety of the citizens, the city has agreed to allow nonresidents to apply and possibly be appointed as members of the Fire Department. The city agrees that any person who applies and is appointed shall reside within a seven-mile radius of the station house located at 1800 Third Street. Any person who is appointed shall have already received training and certification of at least Firefighter II as outlined by the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal or its equivalency. The requirements will be:
(1) At least 18 years of age;
(2) Valid driver's license;
(3) Pass criminal background check;
(4) Firefighter II or its equivalency;
(5) Pass physical examination to include narcotics test;
(6) CPR/AED certified; and,
(7) Reside within a seven-mile radius of the station house to exclude the state of Missouri.
(B) Every member of the Department shall conform promptly to all orders, rules and regulations and obey all orders, whether written or oral. Obedience to these orders shall be prompt, implicit, unchallenged and unequivocal.
(C) All members within their first year of service shall receive training and maintain certification in the following: CPR, blood-borne pathogens, hazardous materials awareness, and automatic external defibrillator (AED).
(D) All members within two years of the passage of these rules and regulations shall receive training and certification in Firefighter II training as mandated by the current training and certification standards set forth by the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal. Such training will be paid for by the city. If in any case the member is dropped, quits or does not pass the certification, they shall reimburse the city for the costs of the modules and books.
(E) Any member who is currently certified as a Firefighter II by the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal shall make an effort to maintain such standing and continue to maintain training in areas added by the OSFM.
(F) All applicants for membership shall be 18 years of age or older at the time of application. All applications will be reviewed by the Chief and a criminal background check shall be made by the Police Department. Only after such check is made shall the application be made to the Mayor and City Council for appointment to the Department.
(G) Certain immediate disqualifying charges and or convictions of state law will be:
(1) Any drug related arrest or conviction;
(2) Domestic violence;
(3) Weapons offenses; and,
(4) Criminal sexual assault/abuse.
(H) Prior to becoming a member of the Department, the applicant will pass a physical examination by a physician currently used by the city. The cost of the examination will be paid for by the city.
(I) All members shall attend all trainings, meetings, special meetings, work details or special details unless excused by the Chief or an officer of the department. (Obviously work schedules play a large part in not being able to attend these events which is why a work schedule furnished to the Chief is important and shall act as an excused absence.) Any member who has a combined six unexcused absences within the calendar year shall be considered for dismissal from the Department by the Chief. Such recommendation will be made by the Chief to the City Council.
(Ord. 1700, passed 3-4-2008)