(A) The quality of life of the citizens of the county is enhanced by the vigorous administration of effective fire prevention, fire suppression, emergency medical services and other emergency services administered by the county.
(B) The Valencia County Fire Department is organized through the combined efforts of fire district volunteers and career employees to deliver quality emergency services to the citizens of the county.
(C) Providing these services is consistent with the constitutionally prescribed functions of government to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the general public.
(D) It is the policy of the county to provide staffing, funding and equipment for the Valencia County Fire Department and its individual fire districts within available resources consistent with the standards of local, state and national authorities.
(E) The Valencia County Fire Department is administered through the Chief of the Department who is responsible for monitoring, overseeing, directing and coordinating all activities of the Fire Department. The Chief shall work in cooperation with each District Chief to monitor, oversee, direct and coordinate the activities of each fire district. Those fire district boundaries presently existing are hereby ratified, subject to the continued power of the Board of County Commissioners to change such boundaries in the future. Other fire districts may be added as deemed necessary without amendment of this chapter.
(F) The county recognizes that some private, non-profit, corporations perform useful functions in support of the Fire Department and volunteer fire districts. Private corporations have no authority to manage the operations of the Department, or any part thereof, including fire districts. The services provided by the Valencia County Fire Department are exclusively governmental activities.
(Ord. 2016-03, passed 10-19-2016)