Mound City Code 230.00

Section 230 – FIRE DEPARTMENT - POWERS OF CHIEF- FIRE RESTRICTIONS

230.05 Fire Department Established. There is hereby established in the City a Volunteer Fire Department.

230.10 Office of Fire Chief; Establishment and Duties. The office of Fire Chief is hereby established. The Chief shall have control over all of the fire fighting apparatus and shall be solely responsible for its care and condition. He/she shall make a report semiannually to the Council at its meeting in March and September, as to the condition of the equipment, needs of the Fire Department, and results of fire prevention inspections. He/she may submit additional reports and recommendations at any meeting of the Council and shall report suspensions by him/her of the Fire Department at the first meeting of the Council following such suspension. He/she shall be responsible for the proper training and discipline of the members of the Fire Department, and may suspend any member for refusal or neglect to obey orders pending final action by the Council on the discharge or retention. He/she shall enforce the Fire Prevention Code, Section 235 hereof. He/she shall have full authority to inspect all premises to discover fire hazards and to cause their removal and, in conjunction with the City Manager, to enforce all legal fire prevention measures.

230.15 Office of Assistant Fire Chief; Establishment and Duties. The office of the Assistant Fire Chief is hereby established. The Assistant Chief shall, in the absence or disability of the Chief, perform all the functions and exercises all of the authority of the Chief.

230.20 Record of Fires. The Chief shall keep in convenient form a complete record of all fires. Such record shall include the time of the alarm, location of fire, cause of fire (if known), type of building, name of owner and tenant, purpose for which occupied, value of building and contents, members on the Department responding to the alarm, and such other information as he/she may deem advisable or as may be required from time to time by the City Council or State Insurance Department.

230.25 Drills. It shall be the duty of the Chief to hold a monthly practice drill of at least five hours duration for the Fire Department, when the weather permits, and to give the fire fighters instructions in approved methods of fire fighting and fire prevention.

230.30 Qualifications of Members. The Assistant Chief and fire fighters shall not be less than eighteen and not older than 55 and shall be able-bodied. They shall pass a satisfactory mental and physical examination and shall become members of the Fire Department only after a one year probationary period.

230.35 Attendance Requirement. Unless excused by the Chief, fire fighters absent from three consecutive drills or meetings of the Fire Department shall forfeit membership in the Department.

230.40 Compensation of Fire Fighters. Compensation of the officers and members of the Fire Department shall be in such amounts as are from time to time established by resolution of the City Council.

230.45 Fire Fighter's Relief Association Authorized. The members and officers of the Fire Department shall organize themselves into a Fire Fighter's Relief Association, under rules, regulations, and by-laws subject to approval by the City Council.

230.50 False Alarms - Refusal to Obey Fire Chief. It shall be unlawful for any person to give or make, or cause to be given or made, an alarm of fire without probable cause, or neglect or refuse to obey any reasonable order of the Chief at a fire, or to interfere with the Fire Department in the discharge of its duties.

230.55 Fire Code Compliance Official. The City Manager may designate a Code Compliance Official from among the members of the Fire Department or Building Inspection Department to perform duties as assigned by the Fire Chief, including the enforcement of the Fire Prevention Code, Section 235 hereof, through the issuance of notices, warning tickets or citations in lieu of arrest or detention. (ORD. #7 – 8/17/87)