Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd1989-620 . . . Sponsored by: Schaefermever CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA ORDINANCE NO. 620 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, REVISING CHAPTER 9.15 OF THE SEWARD CITY CODE, FIRE PREVENTION WHEREAS, existing Chapter 9.15, Article 2, of the Seward City Code establishes the composition, duties and responsibilities of the volunteer fire department; and, WHEREAS, much of the existing text detailing member duties is more appropriately addressed in a departmental manual; and, WHEREAS, the intent of this ordinance is to revise Chapter 9.15 by removing those existing sections which deal solely with administrative measures under the control and supervision of the fire chief, and, further, to correct various policy and procedure references to reflect actual operations of the department; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA HEREBY ORDAINS that: section 1. section 9.15.115 is hereby repealed. Section 2. follows: Section 9.15.125 is hereby amended to read as 9.15.125 Fire hazards--reports. If upon inspection a building or area is found to harbor or constitute a fire safety hazard, the person making the inspection shall prepare a written report specifying such hazards and conditions. The report shall contain the name of the inspector and the date and hour that the inspection was made. A copy of the report shall remain in the fire department files, and copy shall be personally delivered or mailed via certified mail to the owner or agent and to any occupant of the premises. Section 3. Chapter 9.15, Article 2., is hereby repealed and re-enacted to read as follows: 9.15.210 Volunteer fire department established. A. There is presently operating within the city a volunteer fire department, which shall consist of not less than twenty-five (25) members and may include additional members; provided that the fire chief deems it advisable. There may also be an auxiliary department -1- . . . CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA ORDINANCE NO. 620 formed for purposes of training future volunteer depart- ment members. All members of the volunteer fire depart- ment, while acting in such capacity, shall give strict obedience to the orders of their appointed officers. B. The fire chief shall be the principal officer of the volunteer fire department. He shall be subject to the direction and supervision of the city manager responsibilities as set forth in the employee I s job description, and by this code. 9.15.215 Officers--duties and responsibilities. A. Chief. The chief shall be the supervisor of the department, subject to the laws of the state, this code, and other ordinances of the city, and the rules and regulations adopted in this article. The chief shall: 1. be held responsible for the general condition and efficient operation of the department, training of members and the performance of all other duties imposed upon him; 2. prepare personnel training and department operations manuals, to be reviewed annually and filed with the city clerk for council and citizen review; 3. prepare reports and maintain records as re- quired; 4. maintain a library or file of publications on fire prevention and fire protection and shall make use of it to the best advantage of all members; 5. establish a schedule and conduct regular departmental meetings and training sessions; 6. inspect fire hydrants, cisterns and other sources of water supply at least twice each year; 7. make every effort to attend all fires and direct the officers and members in the performance of their duties; 8. conduct a thorough investigation of each fire to determine its cause, and in case of suspicion of incendiarism, shall secure and preserve all possible evidence for future use in the case; 9. keep citizens well informed of fire hazards in the community and on activities of the department. 10. appoint assistant chiefs to act in his absence. B. Deputv chief. The deputy chief shall act as head of the department in the absence of the fire chief, and shall be responsible for pUblic education and fire -2- . . . CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA ORDINANCE NO. 620 inspection programs and other duties as assigned by the fire chief. C. Assistant chiefs. There shall be a first assistant chief and a second assistant chief, who shall report to the chief at fires and assist him in the discharge of his duties. In the absence of the chief and deputy chief, the first assistant chief shall command the department and shall be held responsible therefore in all respects, with the full powers and responsibilities of the chief. In the absence of the chief, deputy chief and the first assistant chief, the second assistant chief shall command the department, with the full powers and responsibilities of the chief. 9.15.220 Records to be maintained. The fire chief be responsible for all department records which be maintained on a current basis at all times. records that shall be maintained are as follows: 1. equipment records (maintenance and condition records); 2. ci ty map, posted in the fire hall, showing location of all fire hydrants; 3. flow test and records of fire hydrants, if available; 4. attendance records of those attending meetings and training sessions; 5. a written record of meetings and training shall shall Those sessions; 6. reports of fire loss; 7. inspection reports and measures taken to ~aL irregularities and hazardous conditions. 9.15.225 Report of conditions of fire hvdrants. The fire chief or his representative shall report any fire hydrant which is not operating properly or that has in any way caused the department trouble during a fire or drill. This report shall be filed with the public works depart- ment for immediate attention and correction. The fire chief may recommend, in writing, the installation of additional hydrants in any area that he deems has inade- quate facilities. This recommendation shall point out the specific area to be covered by the installation and other information he believes should be considered. 9.15.230 Fire reports. The fire chief shall prepare a written report, in duplicate, on each fire within the city. This report shall include information as to location, time and date of alarm, extent of damage to -3- . . . CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA ORDINANCE NO. 620 building and/or contents and the chief's estimate of dollar damage suffered. The original of this report shall remain in the department files and the duplicate copy submitted to the city manager within forty eight (48) hours from time of fire. 9.15.235 Annual dues to associations. etc. Annual dues to firemen's and chiefs' associations and the National Fire Protection Association shall be legitimate expendi- tures of the fire department. 9.15.245 Housinq of fire equipment. The fire equipment of the city shall be housed in the city fire halls at all times unless on call, practice drills or other authorized purposes. The city fire halls shall be considered off limits to anyone other than authorized personnel unless the fire chief or an attendant is in the building. 9.15.250 Damaqinq. etc. fire apparatus. It shall be unlawful for any person or group of persons to damage or attempt to damage in any manner any piece of fire fighting equipment or apparatus belonging to the city. 9.15.255 Maintenance of adequate equipment within citv: service outside of citv. A. The fire fighting apparatus is the property of the residents of the city and is pur- chased and maintained from general fund appropriations derived from general taxes and, therefore, is mainly for the safety and protection of city residents. The fire chief shall be responsible for maintaining adequate fire fighting equipment and manpower on call at all times to combat any fire within the city. B. Residents outside the city may be given assis- tance by the department in case of fire or disaster, but at no time will equipment or manpower be dispatched outside the city in any number which will leave the city without adequate fire protection. Section 4. This ordinance shall take effect ten (10) days following its enactment. ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, this 28th day of August, 1989. -4- . CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA ORDINANCE NO. 620 AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ATTEST: THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA ~ A...u~~ GIESELER, MAYOR Gieseler, None None None Dunham, Hilton, Meehan, Noll, O'Brien, Simutis APPROVED AS TO FORM: PERKINS COlE, Attorneys for the City of Seward, Alaska . . (City Seal) r;Ovci J ~ Fred B. Arvidson City Attorney Introduced by: Meehan/Dunham Introduction Date: 08/14/89 Public Hearing & Enactment Date: 08/28/89 -5-