(A) The Chief of the Valencia County Fire Department shall be an employee of the county who oversees and directs the operation and administration of the department and reports directly to the Code Enforcement Director.
(B) All revenue sources characterized as public funds require Commission approval prior to expenditure. As such the Commission has directed the Chief to review any expenditure requested by a District Chief. The Chief, acting as the representative of the Board of County Commissioners, shall review such requests for compliance with all applicable statutes, ordinances, and rules and regulations, for approval of the Board of Commissioners.
(C) The Chief shall develop, maintain and upgrade standards, policies, procedures, department personnel rules and regulations and protocols to ensure that the mission of delivering emergency services is accomplished. These standards, policies, procedures, department personnel rules and regulations, and protocols shall at all times be consistent with the safety and protection of all department personnel both paid and volunteer. These standards, policies, procedures, department personnel rules and regulations and protocols will collectively serve as the minimum standard for the department.
(D) The Chief shall be responsible for the maintenance and protection of those licenses and authorities held by the county, as required by state and federal regulators, for the delivery of emergency services and shall set forth the rules, regulations and reporting standards as required to maintain and protect those licenses and authorities.
(E) The Chief shall be responsible for staffing, recruitment, training, budgeting and all other administrative matters for the department and for the development and improvement of the department to meet local, state and federal standards.
(F) The Chief shall be responsible for implementation and enforcement of fire and safety codes and any chapter designating the Division as the enforcement agency as now in effect or hereafter adopted by the County.
(G) The Chief, conferring with the District Chief, is hereby authorized to commit fire department personnel, equipment and resources, wholly or in part, to emergency fire protection and emergency service delivery, including mutual aid, for the relief of danger to life or property from accident, explosion or natural disaster.
(H) The Chief, conferring with the District Chief, is authorized to enter into agreements, contracts and working arrangements with other units of government for implementing and administering the provisions of this chapter following approval of the Board of County Commissioners.
(I) The Chief, shall promulgate departmental rules and regulations and shall enforce departmental rules and regulations for administering disciplinary action for both paid and volunteer personnel, subject to approval of the County Commission.
(J) The Chief is authorized to arrange communications systems and networks necessary to adequately alert, dispatch and/or communicate with facilities, equipment and personnel within the county for the purpose of responding to fires, accidents, medical emergencies, explosions and natural disasters.
(K) The Chief shall establish through department personnel rules and regulations, job descriptions, an organizational chart and a process for the training and promotion of paid and volunteer personnel.
(Ord. 2016-03, passed 10-19-2016)