(A) The Wilkesboro First Responders Unit will abide by and be subject to all rules, regulations, bylaws and the constitution of the Wilkesboro Volunteer Fire Department. All Wilkesboro First Responders shall be members of the Wilkesboro Volunteer Fire Department. The Mayor, in consultation with the Chief of the Fire Department and the highest ranking Unit Officer liaison of the Wilkesboro First Responders Unit, shall prepare rules and regulation for the government of the Wilkesboro First Responders Unit and the personnel thereof. Rules and regulations, which may be amended from time to time, shall be submitted to the Board of Commissioners for approval. It shall be unlawful for any member of the Wilkesboro First Responders Unit to violate any rule or regulation of the Wilkesboro Fire Department or Wilkesboro First Responders Unit which has been approved by resolution of the Board of Commissioners and placed on file in the office of the Town Clerk; a copy of approved rules and regulations shall also be placed on file at Fire Department headquarters and/or First Responders headquarters. The constitution and/or bylaws applicable to volunteer members of the Wilkesboro First Responders Unit shall be consistent with state law and the constitution and bylaws applicable to volunteer members of the Wilkesboro Fire Department, this code and other ordinances and rules and regulations of the Wilkesboro First Responders Unit. Provisions shall be made for election of officers immediately upon recognition by the Town Board of Commissioners of the Town of Wilkesboro of the Wilkesboro First Responders Unit and thereafter election of officers of the Wilkesboro First Responders Unit will be decided during the monthly meeting in September during even-numbered years. Constitution and bylaws and all amendments thereto regarding the Wilkesboro First Responders Unit shall be approved by the Board of Commissioners of the Town of Wilkesboro, by resolution or motion and filed in the office of the Town Clerk before taking effect. A copy of the approved constitution and bylaws shall also be filed in the office of the Chief of the Fire Department and/or the highest ranking officer of the Wilkesboro First Responders Unit.
(Am. Ord. passed 4-20-1989)
(B) (1) All Wilkesboro first responders will abide by the bylaws of the Wilkesboro Fire Department. All Wilkesboro first responders will abide by the bylaws set by the Wilkes County EMS for first responders. Any person wishing to apply for membership as a Wilkesboro first responder must have been a productive member of the Wilkesboro Fire Department for at least 1 year prior to application. The number of Wilkesboro first responders will be limited to 8 members. If the need for additional members arises, the members must be approved by the First Responder Unit, the officers of the Wilkesboro Fire Department and consent and authorization of the Town Board of Commissioners of the Town of Wilkesboro. The structure of the Wilkesboro First Responders Unit will be as follows:
(a) Unit Officers-Liaison whose duties will be to: direct all meetings of the Wilkesboro first responders, attend quarterly countywide first responder meetings and to act as a liaison between the Wilkes County EMS and the Wilkesboro first responders.
(b) Unit Officer-Liaison Assistant whose duties will be to assist the Director-Liaison in his or her duties.
(c) Secretary whose duties will be to record member attendance at meetings and calls. The secretary will record training hours and see that all members maintain the needed number of training hours.
(2) The structure of the First Responder Unit will be decided upon during the first monthly meeting after recognition by the Wilkesboro Town Board of Commissioners. The Wilkesboro first responders will hold a monthly meeting on the fourth Tuesday of every month (or as deemed necessary by the members of the First Responder Unit). The first first responder on the scene of a call will advise Wilkes County communications as soon as possible as to the situation. Wilkesboro first responders will respond to a call only when dispatched.
(3) Any application for membership as a Wilkesboro first responder must be approved by the existing first responders and the officers of the Wilkesboro Fire Department. Any first responder acting in a manner not becoming the Wilkesboro Fire Department and/or the Wilkesboro First Responder Unit shall be punished in the following manner, unless other rules regarding suspension are applicable:
(a) First offense: Written reprimand;
(b) Second offense: Suspension; length determined by officers of the Wilkesboro Fire Department; and
(c) Third offense: Automatic dismissal.
(4) Any member of the First Responder Unit who is suspended from the Wilkesboro Volunteer Fire Department is automatically suspended from the First Responder Unit until reinstatement in good standing of the member with the Wilkesboro Volunteer Fire Department.
(5) It shall be the duty of the Secretary/Treasurer to receive and keep an accurate record of all monies and/or securities and bonds belonging to the Wilkesboro First Responders Unit. The secretary/treasurer shall keep a record of all funds disbursed by him or her. All disbursements, other than current obligations, shall be subject to approval by a majority of members present. The secretary/treasurer shall make a financial report at each monthly meeting and make an annual account to the Town Board of the Town of Wilkesboro.
(Am. Ord. passed 4-20-1989)
Cross-reference:
Franchises; miscellaneous, see TSO Table II